WASHINGTON – Rep. Yvette Herrell has added language to a bill funding the Department of the Interior that would prevent the government from slaughtering feral cattle in New Mexico without consultation with local ranchers, as the US Forest Service did last year to great outrage.

"Despite objections from local ranchers, the Cattle Growers' Association, the New Mexico Livestock Board, and others, the federal Forest Service slaughtered dozens of wild cattle from helicopters in the Gila National Forest earlier this year," said Rep. Herrell. "This method was inhumane, risked leaving orphaned calves starving to death, contaminated waterways with carcasses, and ignored the possibility of increased wolf activity. I'm glad we are able to rein in the Forest Service from running roughshod over local expertise and wishes in the future--the people of New Mexico deserve a voice, and it is finally being heard."

This is the new language in the Appropriations Committee Bill Report:

"Cattle in the Gila National Forest.—Prior to taking action on feral livestock on the Gila National Forest, the Forest Service is directed to consult and collaborate with local stakeholders on potential solutions and to consider possible consequences of such actions or inaction, including increased wolf activity and the feral livestock's impacts on native vegetation, erosion, fish and wildlife habitat degradation, and water quality and quantity. The Committee notes that such consultation and collaboration must be documented in writing to notice all parties involved."