Permit regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are becoming too burdensome for livestock producers to protect their herds from predators. Nebraska Cattlemen Association Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs Jessica Herrmann says because of that, a group of Senators and Congressmen have written to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking for flexibility in permits to control those predators.

She says there were several Senators and Representatives from both sides of the aisle that signed the letter to Fish and Wildlife requesting that flexibility.

Herrmann says the populations of the predator birds has been growing and while proper regulations are needed, they must be reasonable and flexible so herds can be protected.

Herrmann says predators such as ravens, black vultures,cormorants which are large diving birds or hawks pose a significant risk to newborn calves and livestock operations in Nebraska and across the country.