OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018

Floor Speech

Date: May 18, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Agriculture and Food Animals and Wildlife

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Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment of Mr. Hollingsworth of Indiana on this issue.

In short, the amendment would allow the Secretary of the Interior to issue depredation permits to livestock farmers authorizing the taking of black vultures. This is an issue that has been brought to my attention by farmers across the entire Southeast, as well, who have all witnessed black vultures prey on and kill their livestock. Unfortunately, because black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, farmers are left with little or no recourse of action.

After years of frustration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began issuing depredation permits as part of a pilot program to try to address this shortage. While this has worked well in my State, it is clear that our farmers and ranchers need a more permanent fix to this ongoing problem.

Black vulture attacks on various livestock have already led to significant economic losses for many, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this commonsense amendment.

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