In Boost to Ag Groups, Peterson Praises Wolf Delisting Letter

Did you know that Minnesota has the highest population of wolves of any state in the country? The growing population has led to efforts from Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson to delist the species from the Endangered Species list. The story below was originally featured in the Grand Forks Herald.

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson on Wednesday praised the efforts of 19 ag and sportsmen’s groups that collectively sent a letter urging House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to place H.R. 424, the Gray Wolf State Management Act, on the House floor for a vote before the year’s end.

The legislation would delist wolves in the Western Great Lakes states and Wyoming from federal protection and return management to the states.

“The issue of removing wolves from the endangered species list is long overdue,” Peterson, D-Minn., said in a news release. “Cattlemen and farmers have not been able to protect their livestock due to a political court decision made in Washington, D.C., that overturned a science-based decision made under the Obama Administration demonstrating wolf recovery in our area. Since then, ranchers lost calves during calving season, witnessed decreasing livestock numbers and even had their pets killed. I am thankful for the coalition support and hope to get my bill passed by the end of the year.”

Last year, the Gray Wolf State Management Act passed through the House Committee on Natural Resources on a bipartisan vote and is simply awaiting Ryan’s decision to place the bill on the House floor calendar. Similar language has already proven its ability to pass the House several times over the past few years, according to Peterson’s news release.

The letter supporting the Gray Wolf State Management Act was signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Michigan Cattlemen’s Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, Minnesota Turkey Growers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, Public Lands Council, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, Upper Peninsula Trappers Association, United States Cattlemen’s Association, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.