Predator Control

On June 8, by a vote of 193 to 230, the House turned down Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Rep. Charles F. Bass’ (R-N.H.) amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill, which would have cut $7 million in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services predator control program.

The amendment, endorsed by the Humane Society, the Fund for Animals, Friends of the Earth, the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Taxpayers for Common Sense and dozens of other organizations, enjoyed widespread public support, demonstrated in a national poll showing that 78% of Americans oppose funding for lethal predator control. Rather than follow the will of the people to save tax dollars and protect wildlife, the House let American citizens down by allowing the livestock industry and other narrow special interests to sway its vote.

LAURELEE BLANCHARD

Laguna Beach