Joint meeting of FWP, DOL, and the future fate of agriculture in Montana?
Rising anger over wolf attacks on livestock and the risk posed by diseased bison and elk have prompted a special joint meeting today between Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission and the Board of Livestock.
As the wolf population skyrocketed in the state over the last decade – from fewer than 100 in 2000 to roughly 500 today – so has the frequency of their attacks on cattle, sheep and other domestic animals. Creating additional financial hardship on the family owned ranches.
A large portion Montana’s economy is based upon agriculture, and part of that billion-dollar livestock industry faces added pressure and devalued stock prices from brucellosis, a disease found in bison and elk that can be transmitted to cattle.
During the meeting, livestock and wildlife officials plan to discuss ways to ease frictions between the two industries. No formal action will be taken.
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There are way to many wolves in WY, ID and MT and the federal government and the states spend way to much money on protecting them. A major concern to all should be the introduction hydatid disease
caused by the tiny Echinococcosis granulosus tapewormin and the consequences it can have on the wildlife and even people. This should be of upmost importance in guiding the state and the federal government in there way forward.