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May 9, 2012

Ban on exotic hogs creates odd alliances

  • Some ranchers and farmers who raise exotic swine are depicting themselves as victims of heavy-handed government and big business.
    • By JOHN FLESHER
    AP Environmental Writer

    McBAIN, Mich. — Mark Baker was accustomed to taking orders in the Air Force. Now he's defying the government, taking a stand for what he considers a fundamental right: raising exotic hogs.

    Baker is among Michigan farmers and ranchers battling the state's attempt to stamp out an industry that has been capitalizing on the increasing popularity of certain fierce, sharp-tusked boars among adventure hunters and gourmands at tony restaurants. Known by various labels — feral hogs, razorbacks, Eurasian and Russian wild boar — they're believed to be escaping from hunting preserves and becoming a menace in the wild.


     
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