03/07/06 Ranchers urged to buy wild horses

American Rancher March 7, 2006 If you hold a BLM grazing permit or lease you are going to get a letter urging you to purchase wild horses or burros. It's a national campaign that partners the BLM and the Public Lands Council. The Council represents the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the American Sheep Industry and the Association of National Grasslands. BLM spokesman Tom Gorey says the mandate to sell older burros and horses comes from Congress. Gorey: "Essentially we at the BLM are implementing a law that Congress passed in 2004 and it mandates the sale of older wild horses and burros. Primarily older horses. These would be those over 10 years old." Gorey says under the law the older animals are not eligible for the BLM's longstanding adoption program. Most older animals would be passed over for adoption anyway and caring for them is costing taxpayers a lot of money. Gorey: "More than half of our budget, a 39.6 million dollar budget in fiscal year 2005, more than half that budget goes for holding wild horses and burros that we have taken off the range in our short term or long term facilities." Gorey says anyone with a commitment to care for the animals may buy them. You can find out more at blm dot gov or call toll free at 800-710-7597.