The American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forest Resources Council, American Sheep Industry Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), and Public Lands Council recently filed court motions in defense of delisting the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The motions follow three cases filed by environmental and animal welfare groups in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging the final delisting rule. In late 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the gray wolf.
The coalition shared personal stories of producers who have been affected by the wolves, including an account by cattle producer Joe Wilebski from Kittson County, MN. Wilebski said he lost 26 calves to gray wolves in a single year, and other cattle of his have been permanently harmed.
“Our coalition will continue to take every opportunity to amplify the voices of the rural Americans who live with the consequences of ESA but are far too often excluded from the discussion.” said Ethan Lane, NCBA vice president of government affairs.
