[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE WILD HORSE AND BURRO MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as an advocate over the 
years for wild horses, I rise today to join a chorus of advocates in 
urging the Bureau of Land Management to implement a safer and more 
sustainable wild horse and burro management strategy. Along with a 
majority of Americans, I recognize that our federally-protected wild 
horses and burros are national treasures to be protected and preserved 
for future generations.
  For decades, the agency has pursued an unsustainable and highly 
controversial approach to wild horse management. Today, the U.S. 
government maintains more wild horses in captivity than remain free in 
the wild. At the same time, the Bureau is underutilizing proven, cost-
effective and humane alternatives for wild horse management that would 
keep wild horses on the range and avert the need for roundups, 
removals, sale and slaughter. This is an untenable situation, both for 
America's wild horses and for American taxpayers.
  A June 2013 report by the National Academy of Sciences recommended 
using available fertility control as a ``more affordable option than 
continuing to remove horses to long-term holding facilities.'' I urge 
the agency to fix what is not working and to move toward these science-
based recommendations. I stand ready to engage in a constructive 
dialogue with my colleagues and with agency officials to implement much 
needed changes to the current management program and to provide a more 
certain future for America's wild horse and burros.

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