Washington Cattlemen's Association issues statement on wolves

Washington Ag Today April 6, 2009 The federal and state investigations of a Methow ranching and timber family's alleged illegal killing of two gray wolves in the Twisp area has prompted the Washington State Cattlemen's Association to issue a statement regarding wolves. Jack Field, executive vice president of the Cattlemen's Association says the WCA does not condone the illegal killing of any game animals. Field: "The Washington Cattlemen's just wanted to be sure that we were able to send a clear message to the general public in terms of livestock producers and non-livestock producers, that we understand the concerns that people have on both sides of this issue, but we strongly recommend folks adhere to the state and federal regulations and that we get engaged proactively to develop a wolf management plan here in Washington state that is going to provide maximum flexibility to livestock producers, and non-livestock producers, as we begin to have to deal with the re-establishment of wolves in Washington state." The Draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan is expected to be open to public comment later this year and the WCA encourages the public to get engaged in helping shape the plan. The Washington Cattlemen's Association has been working to get state legislation to provide commercial livestock producers with compensation for depredations from wolves, cougars or bears. I'm Bob Hoff and that's Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.