Judge Orders DNR to Leave Farmer Alone
Lake City, Michigan—(March 4, 2014)—Two years after suing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) over the legality of its swine Invasive Species order, Mark Baker is now free to raise and sell his hybrid heritage breed pigs. In a February 26, 2014 hearing, less than two weeks before a scheduled March 11, 2014 trial date, DNR
Michigan
Swine ISO Lawsuits Boxing Michigan DNR In
Heritage breed hog farmers Mark Baker and Brenda Turunen will be having their day in court after judges in their respective cases denied motions to dismiss their lawsuits challenging the swine Invasive Species Order (ISO) issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A trial date has
Farm Family Threatened with $700,000 Fine for Raising Pigs
Farm advocates to gather for a court hearing in support of the Bakers
Falls Church, Virginia–(July 8, 2013)–The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through the Michigan Attorney General, is asking the judge hearing Mark Baker’s case to fine him $700,000. DNR believes Mark has 70 “illegal pigs” being raised in violation of an
Lawsuit Opens Up New Legal Front Against Swine ISO
Chippewa farmer sues DNR in federal court
For over a year now, four different lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Invasive Species Order on swine have been making their way through Michigan county courts. Recently a fifth lawsuit was filed in the Federal District Court for
Michigan Adopts Policy on Herdshares
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has adopted a policy officially recognizing herdshares in Michigan and letting them operate unregulated. MDARD issued the document (Policy # 1.40) on March 12, 2013 – a key point in the department’s new policy states that