Letter to Congress supporting FY 2026 funding for Wildlife Services – Senate

Dear Chair Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Harris, & Ranking Member Bishop:

Wildlife causes more than $12.8 billion in damage each year to natural resources, public infrastructures, private property, and agriculture. USDA Wildlife Services (WS) works to prevent, minimize, or manage this damage and to protect human health & safety from conflicts with wildlife. Wildlife damage to U.S. livestock, aquaculture, small grains, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products has been estimated to reach nearly $1 billion annually. Wildlife predators cause more than $232 million in death loss to livestock; field crop losses due to wildlife total $619 million annually; losses to vegetables, fruits, and nuts total $146 million annually; and 70% of catfish farmers incur wildlife-related damage. The annual industry-wide value of lost catfish sales revenue to cormorants averages $47.2 million, ranging from $25.8 million to $65.4 million, depending upon predation levels in any given year. As a result, WS is an essential program to U.S. agriculture.

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