A bill dealing with Black Vulture Predation has been introduced in Congress and Livestock trade groups are praising this effort. Representatives John Rose of Tennessee and Darren Soto of Florida have introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act which would allow a cattle producer to capture, kill, disperse or transport black vultures that pose a risk to livestock and would institute an annual reporting requirement for producers. Also this would lift the cap on the number of black vultures that producers can take. Garrett Edmonds, NCBA Director of Government Affairs said, ”Cattle producers across the South and Midwest face the emotional and financial strain of livestock deaths due to overabundant black vultures. At a time when the U.S. cattle herd is at the lowest number since 1951, producers cannot afford to have vultures killing newborn calves. My family’s cattle operation faces the burden of black vultures daily with them roosting on nearby service towers overlooking surrounding pastures. Being in the middle of Spring calving season back home, these predators target the newborns – the weakest animals who cannot defend themselves. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has been overwhelmingly successful but makes it extremely difficult for producers to properly protect their cattle herds from these predators. It is time to recognize that success and give producers more flexibility in managing black vulture populations. NCBA appreciates Congressmen Rose and Soto for introducing this commonsense bill to properly manage an exploding population of predators.”