HOUSE AGRICULTURE, ACEQUIAS AND WATER RESOURCES

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE MEMORIAL 44

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD, THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE TO STUDY WAYS OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF ESTRAY AND UNBRANDED CATTLE.

 

     WHEREAS, ranchers and farmers in southwestern New Mexico have experienced repeated trespass by estray and unbranded cattle; and

     WHEREAS, these estray and unbranded cattle primarily originate in or near the Gila wilderness and Gila national forest; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a fence out state; and

     WHEREAS, removal of estray and unbranded cattle can cause considerable uncompensated expense to the landowners even though the landowner may have appropriate fencing; and

     WHEREAS, state law requires proceeds received by the New Mexico livestock board from the sale of estray and unbranded cattle be returned to the livestock board; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico livestock board has the authority to enter into contracts, memoranda of understanding and joint powers agreements with other entities; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico livestock board does not gather cattle on private or leased property;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico livestock board, the New Mexico department of agriculture, the United States department of agriculture forest service and others concerned be requested to work together to resolve the issue of trespass cattle and create agreements to expedite the removal of estray and unbranded cattle; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that aerial shooting of estray and unbranded cattle is cruel and dangerous and estray and unbranded cattle should be gathered in the most humane manner possible; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico livestock board, the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture, the chief of the United States department of agriculture forest service and the forest supervisor of the Gila national forest.

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