U.S. Senators Katie Britt, John Cornyn Introduce Bill to Eradicate Feral Swine Plaguing our Farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and several of their Senate colleagues introduced the Feral Swine Eradication Act, which would extend and make permanent a pilot program to safeguard public health, agriculture, and local ecosystems against the threat of feral swine.

“I remain committed to supporting Alabama’s incredible farmers, including by addressing the devastating economic and environmental impacts of feral swine. The Feral Swine Eradication Act would establish a permanent program to eliminate this threat,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to introduce federal legislation to help mitigate the estimated $50 million in agricultural damage caused in our state each year and protect the livelihoods of farmers who continue to feed and clothe our nation.”

There are approximately 255,000 feral hogs across all 67 counties in Alabama, which cause more than $50 million in damages each year. The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) was established in the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to rampant feral swine outbreaks and was implemented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS).

This program included feral swine removal by APHIS, restoration efforts supported by NRCS, and assistance to producers for feral swine control through grants with non-federal partners. NRCS and APHIS successfully carried out these pilot projects in ten states.

“Feral hogs can inflict serious economic and environmental damage to our agricultural communities by destroying crops, trampling farmland, and threatening other livestock,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would support our farmers, ranchers, and producers in Texas and across the country by promoting removal and restoration efforts to mitigate the risk posed by this invasive species.”

As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Britt has supported funding to combat the growing feral swine threat. The Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act included funding to continue the National Feral Swine Damage Management program and develop new strategies to address this threat.

Senator Britt is proud to be a partner for Alabama’s farmers. She recently accepted the “Outstanding New Member of Congress” award from the American Farm Bureau Federation for her efforts in agriculture. Upon receiving the award, Senator Britt reaffirmed her commitment to Alabama’s family farmers and agricultural community, saying, “I am proud to be an unwavering champion for the hardworking men and women who tirelessly work to feed, fuel, and clothe America. I will continue fighting to ensure our farmers have the necessary resources and support to tend to their land for generations to come.”

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