A new species might be added to the Endangered Species list, with a threatened designation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced a proposal to list the Monarch Butterfly. Shelby Hagenaur, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau, says this designation is a mixed bag for agriculture.
“This Fish and Wildlife Service proposal, which is “threatened” with a 4(d) rule, provides flexibility in management for the protection of the species. I know that 4d sounds kind of jargony, but it just is the specific part of the Endangered Species Act that allows special rules to be put in place for the protection of a species but still allowing some activities to take place. For example, in this proposal routine agricultural and ranching practices are allowed with some limitations.”
She says farmers and ranchers already take voluntary steps to help support pollinators, including the Monarch.
“So, in areas away from fields, farmers have planted milkweeds, and that’s where the butterflies breed and hatch. Having diverse nectar sources on a property is very helpful. Something else, farmers and ranchers have done is adjusting schedules for mowing. Even mowing a little bit less allows some nectar to remain longer. And farmers have partnered with NRCS on all those programs to assist with these activities.”
Hagenauer says the listing isn’t set in stone, as the designation still has to go through a comment period.
“For 90 days, the public has time to review the proposal, and review how it might impact them. We are looking very closely for its impact on farmers, ranchers, and foresters. On March 12, the public comment period closes, and then the Fish and Wildlife Service takes all those comments and go back and decides to change the proposal, they can change how they want to implement the proposal, so there’s some flexibility for the service next year as they look at finalizing this.”