Genesee News

State Representatives David Martin and Angela Rigas have criticized the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for its actions following a June House Committee hearing. The joint hearing on June 25 included testimony from Ted Nugent and involved both the Natural Resources & Tourism Committee, chaired by Martin, and the Weaponization of State Government Oversight Subcommittee, chaired by Rigas. The focus was on alleged unfair practices by the DNR in enforcing the Invasive Species Order with domesticated pigs.

Earlier, hog farmers testified to the Weaponization Subcommittee that the DNR was using subjective guidelines to identify and eliminate privately owned pigs resembling Russian Boar without scientific evidence. Characteristics like ear floppiness or tail curliness were cited as criteria. Following these hearings, Assistant Attorney General Keith D. Underkoffler filed a court request asking Judge Richard J. Garcia to support the DNR's discretion in separating and eliminating pigs owned by some ranchers who had testified.

"Our system is supposed to operate on good governance and the rule of law," said Martin. "Trust in that system is irreparably harmed when the state is politically targeting hog farmers."

Rigas added her concerns: "The DNR has been running completely unchecked and overfunded... We need to put an end to this right now before this joint monstrosity targets and ruins the lives of any additional Michigan citizens."

A hearing on this motion is set for July 29 at 1:30 PM at the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Ingham County.