December 6, 2023 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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4- The Elk City News CBA/News December 6, 2023 Mullin Leads Black Vulture Relief Act to Protect Farmers and Ranchers from Burdensome Federal Overreach Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. is necessary to protect their nearly 2.1 million cattle losses Sam Kieffer, American Farm Senator Markwayne Mullin (R- livestock and reduce economic each year. These federally-pro- Bureau Federation Vice Pres- OK) along with Sens. Tommy hardship. The current federal tected birds tend to concen- ident, Public Policy. “Senator Tuberville (R-AL) and Cindy regulation is outdated, and it’s trate their attacks on newborn Mullin’s legislation helps pro- Hyde-Smith (R-MS), intro- vital to the livelihood of ranch- and defenseless calves and can tect both livestock and migra- ers across the country that we often be seen waiting on near- duced the Black Vulture Relief tory birds, like black vultures, get this fixed.” by fence posts as a cow goes Act to allow farmers and ranch- “Black vultures pose a huge into labor. We'd like to thank which is why the American ers to protect their newborn threat to our livestock farmers Senators Mullin and Tuberville Farm Bureau strongly sup- and producers,” said Sen. Tu- for their leadership on this livestock from black vultures ports the Black Vulture Relief without burdensome govern- berville. “Government red tape issue and introducing legisla- Act of 2023.” ment interference. Mullin’s is preventing farmers from tion that will allow ranchers to “Many Oklahoma Farm Bu- legislation provides regulatory protecting newborn calves protect their herd from black reau members have long faced relief by allowing farmers and and growing their herd. Our vulture predation,” said Justin extreme challenges with black ranchers to take black vultures producers need a larger, more Tupper, President, U.S. Cattle- vultures and the devastating anytime the birds threaten comprehensive approach to re- men's Association. these predators. This “Black vultures are particularly effects they can have on live- their livestock without a dep- moving bill will provide much needed nasty predators, and their at- stock herds,” said Oklahoma redation permit. relief and security to our na- tacks can be financially devas- Farm Bureau President Rodd Despite being listed as a spe- tion's cattlemen.” tating to small, family-owned Moesel. “When these birds at- CBA Homecoming cies of lowest conservation “Livestock producers operate cattle operations,” said Nation- tack cattle and other livestock, concern, black vultures are stillon thin margins,” said Sen. al Cattlemen's Beef Associa- ranchers are rendered helpless protected under the Migratory Hyde-Smith. “The struggle to tion Policy Division Chair Gene without first engaging in the Bird Treaty Act of 1918, mak- make a profit is made harder Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle lengthy process to obtain a ing it illegal to take one with- by unnecessary regulations producer. “The current system depredation permit. We have out a depredation permit from that limit their ability to pro- prevents cattle producers from heard countless stories from ‘The Corn Bible Crusader Homecoming Ceremony was Friday, US. Fish & Wildlife Service tect their animals. Our com- effectively protecting their December 1st @ 5:45 pm. CBA Crusaders and Lady Crusaders monsense legislation would our Farm Bureau members (EWS). EWS currently operates ease those restrictions to give herd. Not only that, but black about the threat vultures pose rivaled Sentinel at Corn Bible Academy in Clinton with the a pilot program that allows producers a fighting chance to vultures are also an abundant specifically to newborn live- girls’ game starting at 6:30 pm. state entities to register for a protect their livestock from species—millions-strong— stock, and as caretakers of our Our Homecoming candidates are: Back row from left to right: master permit and disburse the growing number of black that do not need federal pro- Savvye Fuller (Senior, Clinton), Grant Stewart (Senior, Clin- That’s why we urgently herds and flocks, agricultur- sub-permits through individu- vultures, which are truly vile tection. need legislation like the Black alists need appropriate mea- ton), and Lance Hulett (Senior, Clinton). Front row from left to al states to ranchers. However, predators.” Vulture Relief Act. NCBA is sures to protect our animals. right: Samantha Rother (Junior, Corn), Emma Miller (Junior, these sub-permits limit ranch- Background: extremely appreciative of Sen. ‘The Black Vulture Relief Act is Clinton), and Emalia Lind (Senior, Weatherford). ers to 3-5 black vulture takes Black vultures are known to Mullin’s work alongside Reps. per year, even though attacks attack livestock, especially a welcome sight for our mem- ‘The attendants are Axton Floyd, a Kindergartener at Western calves. These attacks are grue- John Rose (R-TN) and Darren bers affected by these predato- Oklahoma Christian normally involve 20+ black some, often lasting hours, and Soto (D-FL) to stand up for the ry birds, and we applaud Sen. School in Clinton, and Ella Daniel, a Kindergartener at Western vultures at a time. cost ranchers an average of needs of cattle producers.” Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mar- $2,000 per calf killed. “l appreciate Senator Mullin Mullin for his work to help Oklahoma Christian School in co Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R- ‘The black vulture population for his leadership in addressing ranchers protect their live- Weatherford. FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Roger has increased by 468% since a very real threat to livestock stock and their livelihoods.” Marshall (R-KS), Ted Cruz (R- 1990. production on the landscape “Current laws and rules regard- TX), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) This bill maintains protections posed by depredating black ing black vultures are outdated joined Mullin, Tuberville, and for the species by: vultures killing calves, while and inhibiting to cattle ranch- Hyde-Smith in cosponsoring Requiring annual reporting of at the same time working with ers who need to protect their this legislation. takes to ensure FWS receives those of us in the wildlife com- livestock,” said Michael Kelsey, “Oklahoma ranchers should accurate data to monitor the munity that want to ensure Executive VP of the Oklahoma have the right to protect their population. that no species are wiped out Cattlemen's Association. “It is livestock from nasty preda- Prohibiting the use of poison tors that threaten their live- as a method of take. and no non-target animals simple common sense to up- lihoods,” said Sen. Mullin. Mullin’s legislation is en- are accidentally impacted,” date those outdated provisions “Attacks from black vultures dorsed by the National Cattle- said J.D. Strong, Director of from time to time. Senator have become far too common men’s Beef Association, Amer- the Oklahoma Department of Mullin, a cattle producer him- and our livestock producers ican Farm Bureau Federation, Wildlife Conservation. “This self who knows the challenges are suffering the consequenc- US. Cattlemen’s Association, legislation threads that nee- of cattle ranching, has intro- es. As a rancher myself, I know Oklahoma Department of dle by providing needed relief duced a piece of legislation that firsthand the implications of Wildlife & Conservation, 19 to our impacted ranchers, yet would achieve this reasonable the rapidly growing black vul- state cattlemen’s associations provides adequate protections update and allow cattle ranch- ture population and the nega- (OK, AL, CO, FL, GA, IN, IA, for all wildlife.” ers the ability to protect their tive effect this has on livestock KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, NC, production. Removing the re- OH, OR. SC, TN, and VA), and “Black vultures attack livestock livestock in harmony with the quirement for a depredation 6 state farm bureaus (OK, FL, ~ especially young and vulnera- environment and wildlife re- permit will allow Oklahomans, PA, TN, MS, TX). ble animals - which is a signif- sources. 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