President Trump issues executive order protecting American ranchers

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, Sept. 4 designed to strengthen our domestic ranching industry through regulation cuts, expanded grazing opportunities, and aid in helping producers combat livestock predation

The order, titled “Supporting America’s Ranchers,” directs multiple federal agencies (mostly the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture) to review regulations and policies affecting ranchers and recommend changes intended to improve their financial viability and access to markets.

The White House said the order comes as the national cattle herd sits at a 75-year low while consumer demand for beef has increased by nearly 10% over the past decade.

“Ranchers play a vital role in our Nation’s food supply chain and cultural heritage,” the order states, arguing that a secure domestic ranching industry is important to the nation’s food security and thus national security.

Under the order, the secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, the U.S. trade representative, the commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Small Business Administration administrator must submit a report within 90 days reviewing regulations, guidance and other policies affecting ranchers.

The administration also pointed to several actions it has already taken to support the national industry, including enforcing voluntary “Product of USA” labeling, expanding federal grazing opportunities and withdrawing Biden-era regulations that the White House says imposed significant compliance costs on ranchers.

A major portion of the order focuses on livestock predation, particularly from gray wolves and Mexican wolves. Within 90 days, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to determine whether the two wolf populations have met recovery criteria under the Endangered Species Act that could allow them to be delisted or downlisted. If the criteria are met, the department is directed to begin the appropriate process.

The order further directs the Agriculture and Interior departments to consider changes to how livestock depredation claims are investigated and compensated, with the goal of ensuring claims are assessed consistently and more quickly.

The executive order comes alongside a separate order directing the Agriculture Department to more aggressively enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act and expand legitimate interstate market opportunities for American-raised meat producers.

The ranching order represents another step by the Trump administration to address challenges facing American livestock producers while promoting a stronger domestic beef supply.