Last week the Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee took testimony on a measure to repeal the Black Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act. Leaders of the State Cattlemen Association testified against the legislation. Vice President of Legislative Affairs Laura Field says the act has worked well in managing prairie dogs and allowed local input into the problem.

She says the act has also provided a partnership between local officials and the federal government for properly managing prairie dogs.

Field says this pest not only damages the land, but also spreads disease. So repealing this measure is not a good idea.

The agriculture committee heard testimony but took no action.