HOUSE MEMORIAL 44

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

INTRODUCED BY

Luis M. Terrazas and Rebecca Dow

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

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

 

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

     WHEREAS, feral and unbranded cattle primarily originate in the Gila wilderness and Gila national forest; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a fence out state; and

     WHEREAS, removal of feral 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 feral 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 forest service and others concerned be encouraged to work together to resolve the issue of trespass cattle and create agreements to expedite the removal of feral and unbranded cattle; 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 forest service and the forest supervisor of the Gila national forest.

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