Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins made the following statement regarding Governor Parson signing HB 369:

We applaud the Governor for signing HB 369. Feral hogs are a menace to farmers throughout southern Missouri. Across the U.S., feral hogs cause as much as $1.5 billion in damage each year. In southern Missouri, feral hogs root up crops and damage pastures to the point some lands can no longer be farmed.

HB 369 increases punishment on bad actors transporting and releasing hogs and clarifies existing regulations. We appreciate the leadership of Representative Tim Taylor and Senator Mike Bernskoetter on this legislation and Governor Parson taking this threat seriously as we continue to work toward our ultimate goal of complete eradication of feral hogs.