Predator control threatened

Representative Pete DeFazio (from Oregon) is seeking co-sponsors for a bill he is circulating that would outlaw the manufacturing and possession of Compound 1080. Previous attempts to outlaw the material have failed since it is an animal rights effort masquerading in this bill as national security interest.

Tull Chemical is the only manufacturer of Compound 1080 in the United States, a chemical used in livestock protection collars. According to the company, the amount of 1080 used in this country remains less than one pound per year. Most of the product made is exported to New Zealand and Australia.

Eleven states allow authorized use of the livestock protection collars. Those states are Texas, South Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Virginia, West Virginia, Utah, Ohio, Wyoming, Idaho and Pennsylvania.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) opposes this legislation as the collar is becoming an increasingly important means of predator control in areas where urbanization restricts most other tools.

Of even more importance, DeFazio's proposal this time also would ban sodium cyanide capsules (M-44) used to control predators in the West. ASI is encouraging sheep producers to contact their representatives and ask them to oppose this legislation.

Source: ASI Weekly, November 16, 2007.