News

Federal proposal would bring black vulture relief

The director of commodity programs and food systems with the Illinois Farm Bureau says a re-introduced federal proposal would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to control federally protected black vultures.

Tasha Bunting tells Brownfield the birds are predators that tend to target young livestock.

“What we are seeing is definitely not a slowdown in those birds invading some of these territories, but we are seeing and hearing from more and more producers who are getting the permit so that they have access to be able to take those birds when they have an issue,” she says.

She says the Black Vulture Relief Act would streamline the process for producers protecting their herd.

“To allow livestock producers to take these birds without a permit so they sort of have an exemption to take the bird,” she says.

In Illinois, Bunting says the birds, which had been primarily located in southern Illinois, are becoming more widespread and producers need to apply for a special permit, which can take time.

“It seems like each year we add another county or two a little farther north where they’re being identified and producers are having issues with them.”  She says, “So, we at Illinois Farm Bureau have a program to assist in getting a free permit for livestock producers.”

Bunting says a streamlined process would save livestock and protect producer profitability.  

AUDIO: Tasha Bunting – Illinois Farm Bureau