Protecting livestock – Congress acts against black vulture threat

By Farms.com

Congress is currently considering two important pieces of legislation, known collectively as the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023, to address the growing problem of black vulture predation on livestock. These bills, presented in both the U.S. House and Senate, focus on providing ranchers with more freedom to defend their livestock from these protected birds. 

Black vultures, different from their carrion-eating counterparts, actively prey on vulnerable newborn animals, causing significant economic damage to farmers. This issue has become more pressing, with a noticeable increase in attacks over recent years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services reported a 25% rise in vulture attacks from 2020 to 2022. 

Under the current Migratory Bird Treaty Act, black vultures are protected, requiring ranchers to obtain permits to legally defend their livestock. This process is often cumbersome and slow, hindering timely intervention. The proposed legislation aims to streamline this process, allowing ranchers to act promptly to protect their animals without the need for a permit. 

These developments are a response to the heightened awareness and advocacy by agricultural organizations about the challenges faced by livestock producers. The bills aim to strike a balance between protecting migratory birds and supporting the agricultural community.  

The goal is to provide ranchers with practical solutions to manage the threat posed by black vultures, reflecting a shift in agricultural policy to address evolving wildlife-related challenges.