NEW ALBANY, OHIO – Earlier this week, the Ohio Senate passed H.B. 503, the Feral Swine bill, in a vote of 31-0. The legislation was designed to protect Ohio agriculture against disease and economic threats by the non-native feral swine entering the state. Last June, the Ohio House voted 89-0 to pass the bill, which means it only needs the governor’s signature to take effect.

Following the news, the Ohio Pork Council expressed the importance of this state law for pork producers.

“On behalf of Ohio’s pig farmers, landowners, and many others in agriculture, we’re very pleased with this historic bipartisan vote by both houses as we now await Governor DeWine’s signature as the final act needed to allow this much-needed legislation to become law,” said Cheryl Day, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council. “We want to thank the tireless efforts of our bill sponsors Representative Don Jones and Representative Bob Peterson, along with Senator Tim Schaffer. They all worked hard to help us get this bill passed so that our state’s farmers have more protection against costly foreign animal diseases. The nonpartisan, broad support we’ve seen only underscores the clear need to sign this legislation into law immediately.”

Along with animal disease risk, people at the Ohio Pork Council talked about the damage non-native feral swine could also bring to land, crops, soil, and water. Day stated that USDA estimates that $2.5 billion in damage is attributable to wild pigs for the agricultural sector only.

Written testimony in 2024 by Christopher Henney, executive director of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, explains that feral swine could carry at least 30 viral and bacterial diseases and nearly 40 parasites.

“By outlawing the hunting and importation of feral swine into the state, Ohio will continue to be a national leader in the agriculture and animal health industries,” Henney wrote. “This bill is a significant step in the right direction for Ohio, and OVMA is proud to support this effort.”

Some other groups that showed support for the legislation include Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Dairy Producers Association, Ohio Cattleman’s Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Poultry Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association and the Ohio Forestry Association.

“We’re now at a monumental point of bringing greater protection to our state’s livestock and crop producers, so we simply ask the governor to take the final step to make it a reality and give our farm families the extra protection they deserve,” Day said.