By the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
Missouri beef producers won a long battle this week as the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to protect livestock from predation, compensate livestock producers who experience depredation by federally protected species, and fund methods to reduce conflicts between humans and predators.
With great efforts from the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and other state affiliates, the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act was approved containing a number of provisions designed to address impacts that wildlife and wildlife management can have on livestock production.
MCA Region 3 Vice President Charlie Besher traveled to Washington D.C. last year to testify on the impact of black vultures to Missouri livestock producer.
“The passage of this legislation should be a relief to cattlemen and women across the country,” Besher said. “It is critical that producers have the tools they need to protect themselves and their livestock from predators, and this act helps make that possible. We are grateful for all who worked in favor of the rule and look forward to having access to the resources we worked so hard to secure.”
The ACE Act includes depredation payments for livestock producers who experience livestock losses caused by federally protected species, while also authorizing funding for producers to carry out non-lethal deterrence activities, as well as funding to improve invasive species control and prevention efforts, a provision designed to develop innovative ways to reduce human-predator conflict, and establishes of a task force to address prevailing concerns about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that occurs in cervids like deer, moose, and elk. The bill now awaits signature by President Trump.
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