KCA Asks Congress For Flexibility Managing Black Vultures

Lexington, KY (October 23, 2019) – The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) is asking members of the Kentucky Senate and House to sign onto a letter supporting new rules that will allow greater flexibility in depredation permitting for Black Vultures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

The letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) comes from Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and several State Cattlemen’s Associations, including Kentucky.

“One of the birds protected under the MBTA is the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), which is a damaging predator to Kentucky cattle farmers during calving. Our producers are spending countless hours watching and countering black vulture attacks, which can lower productivity on the farm,” said KCA President Tim White. “Farmers need to be able to protect their livestock and ultimately their business.”

Black Vultures have increased their population into the millions and have spread over the last 40 years. The letter to USFWS Deputy Director Margaret Everson stresses the need to simplify and streamline the permitting process stating that federal processes currently in place are often inadequate in addressing the problem to prevent loss or deter further predation. 

Source: Kentucky Cattlemen's Association