A Michigan farmer Baker says he could be facing an armed raid by government agents soon,
following a lengthy disagreement with state Department of Natural Resources officials
over his refusal to obey an order to kill his feral pigs.
Baker's troubles with state and federal officials began in 2012
when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued new guidance
on what constitutes feral - wild - pigs.
A December 2011 "Declaratory Ruling" issued by the MDNR listed nine traits which redefined Baker's pigs -
and thousands of others across the state that were being raised by other farmers - as "invasive species,"
which, as such, must be destroyed.
But Baker says he and other family farmers in the state have been raising the same species of pigs for decades;
they believe that the Declaratory Ruling, which was issued following a petition by the Michigan Animal Farmers Association,
was arbitrary and made in deference to the conventional pork industry as a way to destroy competition.
Baker has thus far defied the order, drawing a $700,000 fine and, apparently, the ire of agriculture officials.
He says he is scheduled to take the issue to court in March,2014 where he is confident that he will be vindicated.
Let us support him.
