Farm Bureau Supports Gray Wolf Endangered Delisting
Wisconsin Ag Connection – 11/05/2004
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to remove the gray wolf from the Federal list of the endangered and threatened species in the Eastern Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment. WFBF Governmental Relations Director Jeff Lyon says Wisconsin has more than exceeded the goals for numbers and distribution of wolves which were established in the recovery plan for the Eastern Timber wolf.
“Since, the gray wolf no longer needs ESA protection, other ESA resources that would otherwise be spent on this recovered species may now be spent on species that really need it,” Lyon said.
The Farm Bureau said the number of wolves and distribution has been sustained over a number of years. Because the wolf recovery has met the scientific goals in the recovery plan, the Endangered Species Act contemplates that recovered species be delisted.
The State of Wisconsin has developed its own plan, which has been approved by the Fish & Wildlife Service, to manage wolves once they have been de-listed.
The Farm Bureau said it will be working with the Department of Natural Resources on wolf management plan that maintains the wolf recovery, but also provides farmers greater opportunities to protect livestock.