Polarizing Issue

Polarizing Issue

I’m Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Washington cattleman Jack Field joined several of his peers in Olympia this week to attend a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks regarding wolf management. Given that the subject of wolf management is such a volatile issue here in the state senate security and the Washington State Patrol were posted outside and around the hearing. Field says though that the proceedings were calm.

FIELD: I think it would be fair to say that it ended up to be a very respectful and cordial discussion. The bills were introduced - all serve very important issues.

Field is referring to four pieces of wolf related legislation, two that address funding for compensation to ranchers affected by wolf predation, and two that address the lethal removal of wolves. Field offers his view of what was the single best “take home” from the entire slate of bills and the hearing.

FIELD: We had a great opportunity for people on both sides of the issue of wolf recovery to be able to voice their concerns, make their case and be able to have a very thoughtful dialogue with good questions coming from both sides.

Next Tuesday wolf related bills will be heard in the House.

FIELD: One of those bills in particular has been garnering a great deal of media attention and that’s the bill that representative Joel Kretz had introduced that allows for a very focused trans-location effort of wolves to a few island areas in the Puget Sound. Everybody understands it’s a statement bill, but most importantly, it elevates a very important issue.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Ag Information Network.