The House Natural Resources Committee has advanced the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025, bringing cattle producers one step closer to improved protection for their herds. The bill is a response to growing concerns over black vulture attacks on newborn livestock across the southeastern United States.
Simplifying Predator Control for Ranchers
If passed, the Black Vulture Relief Act would allow livestock producers to take black vultures that pose a direct threat to their animals. The current permitting process is burdensome, often delaying response to predation events. The proposed legislation would replace that system with a simple annual report producers submit detailing the number of vultures taken.
The bill also removes the cap on how many black vultures producers can take—a significant change in managing what is now considered an aggressive and fully recovered predator species.
Industry Support for the Bill
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is backing the legislation.
“Cattle producers across much of the nation are facing the financial and emotional strain of livestock depredations due to overabundant black vultures,” said NCBA President-Elect Gene Copenhaver. “We are seeing the lowest cattle inventory numbers since the 1950s. As cattle producers, we cannot afford to risk newborn calves to predators, like black vultures, if we are going to begin rebuilding the herd.”
NCBA reports that predation rates have risen significantly, with some southeastern states seeing losses exceeding 30%.
Legislative Champions
The bill was introduced by Congressman John Rose, with key support from Chairman Bruce Westerman of the House Natural Resources Committee. Their efforts are being applauded by the cattle industry as a “commonsense approach” to managing predator populations while supporting producers.