Agricultural News
State Legislative Committees Finger Black Vulture as a Serious Predator of Baby Calves
Tue, 14 Feb 2017 21:26:01 CST
The Oklahoma Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee passed a resolution on Tuesday calling on the Federal Government to ease the burden on farmers and ranchers impacted by the black vulture. Black vultures have been preying on small baby calves in Oklahoma and across the southern portions of the US.
"We are very appreciative of Senator Brecheen's resolution on this important issue. It is calving season in Oklahoma and these birds are causing significant damage by killing baby calves," said Charlie Swanson, President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.
The resolution stated the following:
"WHEREAS, Black Vultures (coragyps atratus) have caused proven and documented depredation in the cattle industry specifically preying on newborn calves, and WHEREAS, Black Vultures are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and WHEREAS, A Take Permit is available to producers through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture; however, the permit process is not sufficient to address needs in specific areas where depredation has increased.
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 56TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN: THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature urges APHIS to ease the restrictions and limitations of the process for the Take Permit and to increase the number of birds allowed under the Take Permit specific to areas where birds are preying upon calves. THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to all Oklahoma Congressional offices, the USFWS, the APHIS and to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation."
"This resolution will continue our effort to work with several state Cattlemen's associations including Arkansas and Missouri to address this problem regionally," Swanson concluded.
Earlier this year- Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays talked with OCA Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey about the Black Vulture issue- click here for our story that includes our audio conversation about the bird.
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