Michigan lawmakers criticize state action against pig owners as overreach, setting up a legal clash in Ingham County.

GOP Lawmakers Condemn State’s Move to Enforce Pig Seizures

State Reps. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) and David Martin (R-Davison) are accusing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Attorney General’s Office of using state law to unfairly target small hog farmers. The backlash follows a legal motion filed by Assistant Attorney General Keith D. Underkoffler requesting judicial approval to eliminate pigs belonging to farmers flagged by the state as possessing “invasive” traits.

The motion comes weeks after a contentious June 25 joint hearing at the Michigan House, where lawmakers heard testimony from hog farmers and Michigan musician and activist Ted Nugent. The hearing was hosted by the House Natural Resources & Tourism Committee, chaired by Martin, and the Weaponization of State Government Oversight Subcommittee, chaired by Rigas.

“This isn’t about conservation anymore,” Martin said. “This is the state using vague rules to go after property owners who dared to speak up.”

State Pushes to Enforce Invasive Species Order on Domesticated Pigs

At issue is the enforcement of Michigan’s Invasive Species Order (ISO), which includes certain breeds of swine resembling the Russian boar. The DNR claims these animals threaten ecosystems and farm operations if allowed to proliferate.

The ISO, first issued in 2010 and revised in 2014, allows DNR officers to confiscate and euthanize pigs that display “feral-like” traits—including erect ears, dark coloring, or curly tails. Critics argue those characteristics are arbitrary and not supported by solid science.

The Michigan Court of Appeals previously upheld the ISO’s constitutionality in 2014 (Michigan Department of Natural Resources v. Oswald), but dissent continues from agriculture and civil liberties groups.

Legal Hearing Set to Determine Fate of Farmers’ Livestock

Underkoffler’s recent court filing targets the same farmers who testified during the June committee hearings, requesting permission for the DNR to remove or destroy animals based on the ISO’s guidelines. The motion will be reviewed by Judge Richard J. Garcia in Ingham County’s 30th Circuit Court on July 29 at 1:30 PM.

“This ruling could open the door to further state-sanctioned takings of personal property,” Rigas said. “It’s clear the state sees these farmers as easy political targets.”

Garcia has ruled previously in favor of the state’s authority under the ISO. In 2014, he blocked farmers from transporting pigs suspected of being invasive from their properties, reinforcing the DNR’s jurisdiction.

Animal Agriculture Leader Defends Need for Clear Regulation

While Republican lawmakers frame the legal action as government overreach, Michigan’s pork industry leaders emphasize the need for careful biosecurity enforcement.

Mary Kelpinski, CEO of the Michigan Pork Producers Association, said in a recent interview that the presence of feral-like pigs poses serious risk to the commercial pork industry.

“Our members see feral hogs as a huge threat to the health of the commercial hog industry in the state. Pigs running at large have a big potential to carry disease. Our producers have invested a lot of time and money into making their farms as biosecure as possible,” Kelpinski told National Hog Farmer (nationalhogfarmer.com).

Kelpinski’s remarks illustrate the broader dilemma faced by policymakers: how to safeguard Michigan’s agriculture sector without trampling on the property rights of small-scale farmers.

The Michigan Pork Producers Association has not issued a public statement regarding the July 29 hearing.

Ted Nugent Testifies, Adds Political Heat to Legal Dispute

Adding celebrity flare to the hearing was rock musician and outspoken conservative activist Ted Nugent, who described the DNR’s behavior as “tyrannical” and “un-American.” Nugent’s involvement has drawn both support from rural communities and criticism for politicizing what the DNR frames as a public safety issue.

The hearing highlighted a broader rural-urban divide in Michigan over the role of state agencies and their enforcement powers. Both Rigas and Martin suggested legislative efforts are underway to rein in what they call unchecked regulatory authority.

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