Farmers Are Also Being Targeted

Small Heritage-Breed Pig Farmers Are Also Being Targeted

It’s not only raw-milk farmers who are facing the ‘food police.’ Small farmers raising heritage-breed hogs are also being targeted, particularly in the state of Michigan where the Invasive Species Order (ISO) went into effect last year.http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/21/heritage-breed-pigs-small-farmers.aspx

The ISO prohibits anyone in the state from possessing what they define as "invasive species of swine," which the state says are carriers of many parasites and disease, and a major source of damage to forests, agricultural lands and water resources. While the dictionary definition of "feral" refers to an animal running wild, Michigan authorities have taken it a step further and extended the definition to include enclosed private hunting preserves and small farms that are raising heritage-breed pigs.

There is no genetic test to determine whether the species on these farms are truly invasive, so authorities are basing their cases against these farmers solely on visual observations and characteristics so vague that virtually any pig other than the familiar pink domestic breed raised on CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) could potentially be deemed "feral."

Any farmer or other individual found to be in possession of such a hog could be charged with a felony and subjected to up to two years in jail and fines of up to $10,000 per violation. In one case against farmer Mark Baker of Baker's Green Acres, who raises Mangalitsa "wooly" hogs, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through the Michigan Attorney General, is asking the judge to impose fines of $700,000 for his 70 “illegal” pigs. Baker, however, is fighting back and has filed suit against the state of Michigan for loss of livelihood due to the ISO. He told FTCLDF:4

“Because of the ISO, I have not been able to process or sell any pork in Michigan since April 2012 or sell the live pigs. This threatens the viability of my farm, my income and the health and well-being of my family. The ISO is a threat to genetic diversity and freedom of choice as well as the ability of small farms to make a living. This order denies consumers their rights to access foods of their choice and violates property rights and the right to make a living. Farmers and other hog owners in Michigan must either get rid of their now ‘prohibited’ property or become felons.”



Fines and Family





Mark shares the DNR's latest request to the judge--worth $700k. He also introduces you to his heroes. Please feel free to download and re post on your own channel. Thanks! Ways you can help:
1) July 12: Court at 111 Canal St. Lake City, MI starts at 2 pm, come early! It would be great to fill the 100 seats with supporters!
2) July 13: Celebration of the Farm at Baker's Green Acres, starting at 10 am, food at 1pm, ending at 9 pm or so. Come for a hog roast fundraiser. A silent auction is planned and we have room for more donations--call 231-825-0293 or e-mail bakersgreenacres@yahoo.com. More information on our website www.BakersGreenAcres.com.
3) Join the community of supporters at Pledgie: http://pledgie.com/campaigns/20620