President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to review regulations affecting ranchers and consider changes to wolf protections, predator-loss compensation and country-of-origin labeling for beef.
The executive order gives several agencies 90 days to assess existing policies and recommend actions intended to improve ranchers' financial viability and market access.
Agencies must review ranching regulations
The agriculture and interior secretaries, U.S. trade representative, Food and Drug Administration commissioner and Small Business Administration administrator must report on rules, guidance and policies affecting ranchers.
The order cites a national cattle herd at a 75-year low and beef demand that has grown nearly 10% over the past decade. It also points to grazing access, federal labeling rules and tax changes as earlier administration actions.
Wolf protections face new scrutiny
The interior secretary must determine within 90 days whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves meet recovery criteria for removal or reclassification under the Endangered Species Act. If the criteria are met, the department is directed to begin that process.
Interior must also prepare legislative recommendations on delisting or downlisting the wolves and, if recovery criteria are satisfied, work with states on their own protected-species lists and lethal-take standards.
The agriculture and interior departments are directed to review compensation rules for livestock losses, including evidentiary standards used to evaluate predator claims. The order says agencies should consider factors beyond subcutaneous hemorrhaging when appropriate.
Interior must also consider changes that would allow faster and more targeted lethal removal in cases involving threats to people or livestock.
Beef labeling review could lead to rules
The agriculture secretary must study federal authority for mandatory country-of-origin labeling of beef and analyze its economic effects. After the review, USDA could propose regulations or recommend legislation, depending on existing legal authority.
The order directs agencies to pursue consumer benefits, including lower prices, while carrying out the measures. Implementation remains subject to existing law and available funding.
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