Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023

Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023

This bill allows livestock producers and their employees to take certain actions against black vultures to protect livestock. (Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.)

Specifically, livestock producers and their employees may (1) take (i.e., capture, kill, or disperse, or transport the carcass of) a black vulture that they reasonably believe will cause death, injury, or destruction to livestock; or (2) in the course of taking or attempting to take the black vulture, cause injury to the bird. However, they may not take or attempt to take a black vulture through the use of poison.

Livestock producers and their employees must submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on black vultures taken under this bill. The FWS must make this reporting form available on its website.

Currently, the FWS has a permit process under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the taking of black vultures.

Bill 118 s 3358, also known as the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the issue of black vultures causing harm to livestock and property in certain regions of the country. The bill seeks to provide relief to farmers and ranchers who have been negatively impacted by the presence of black vultures on their land.

The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023 proposes several measures to help mitigate the damage caused by black vultures. These measures include authorizing the Department of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to farmers and ranchers for the implementation of non-lethal methods to deter black vultures, such as the use of scare tactics or fencing. The bill also calls for increased research and monitoring of black vulture populations to better understand their behavior and develop more effective strategies for managing their impact.

Additionally, the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023 includes provisions for the issuance of permits to allow for the lethal taking of black vultures in cases where non-lethal methods have proven ineffective or impractical. These permits would be subject to strict regulations to ensure that they are only used as a last resort and in a manner that minimizes harm to the overall black vulture population. Overall, the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023 aims to strike a balance between protecting the interests of farmers and ranchers who are affected by black vultures and ensuring the conservation of black vulture populations. The bill recognizes the importance of addressing this issue in a responsible and sustainable manner, taking into account the needs of both humans and wildlife.