Senator Schmitt Introduces Bill to Allow Missouri Ranchers to Protect Livestock from Black Vultures

WASHINGTON –Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) helped introduce The Black Vulture Relief Act, which would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to allow Missourians to take action against a black vulture when the bird is causing death, injury, or destruction to livestock.

“Black vultures are a deadly species that have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to ranchers and producers across Missouri. These birds are native to Missouri and have seen their population grow by more than 450 percent since 1990. We must keep this dangerous bird population under control and allow ranchers and producers across the Show Me State the ability to do what they do best— feed our nation and the world,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.

“Predatory black vultures pose a serious threat to livestock in Missouri and across our nation. For too long, livestock producers have been burdened by red tape and bureaucracy when defending their farms. Missouri Farm Bureau is grateful to Senator Schmitt and his colleagues for leading the charge to give farmers the ability to protect their livestock when threatened. This is an important step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with our elected leaders to implement this commonsense reform to better serve farmers and ranchers,” said Garrett Hawkins, President of the Missouri Farm Bureau a farmer from St. Clair County.

“Missouri producers increasingly face the emotional and financial strain of cattle deaths due to the predatory black vultures. At a time when our state’s cattle numbers are at the lowest level since the 1950s, we cannot afford to have vultures killing newborn calves. Producers need to be able to protect their private property regardless of an international bird treaty signed 110 years ago. Thank God we have a U.S. Senator with commonsense who cares more about cattlemen than scavengers,” said Mike Deering, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President.

The Black Vulture Relief Act will:

• Amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to allow a covered person (producer or employee of a producer) to take (capture, kill, or disperse and transport carcass) a black vulture when…
• The vulture is causing, or that the covered person has a reasonable belief will cause, death, injury, or destruction to livestock.
• Cause injury to the bird in the course of taking or attempting to take a black vulture.
• Require producers file an annual report with their local FWS office on yearly takings, if the producer takes a vulture in the year.

Click Here to read the full text of the bill.

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