The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved a bipartisan Sportsmen’s Bill that contains an amendment removing protections for the gray wolf. The provision offered by Wyoming Senator John Barrasso takes away the Endangered Species listing for the wolves. Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls says they’re pleased with the measure’s passage and hope it will get full Senate approval.

She says Minnesota’s Gray Wolf population has been growing and creating a predator problem for the state’s livestock producers.

Kohls says cattle producer’s hands have been tied in dealing with this predator problem as they have few options for protecting their herds.

Kohls says at the state level, her group will work with legislators to provide depredation funding to compensate producers for herd losses caused by the wolves.