IG launches probe of shadowy agency on lawmakers' request

EE News
January 6, 2014

A shadowy Department of Agriculture agency tasked with controlling animal populations that threaten farms and ranches faces an investigation.

The probe, to be conducted by the department's inspector general, will evaluate whether U.S. Wildlife Services' "wildlife damage management activities were justified and effective." Some researchers, lawmakers and former staffers have suggested that the agency's practices are ineffective.

Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and John Campbell (R-Calif.) are calling for a complete audit of the agency, which is part of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

"Why should taxpayers, particularly in tough times, pay to subsidize private interests?" said DeFazio, the senior Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. "I have come to the conclusion that this is an agency whose time has passed."

Last year, the Los Angeles Times published information from an internal audit that found problems with the agency's accounting practices. The investigation determined that Wildlife Services lacked transparency and violated state and federal laws, and the probe could not locate $12 million that was placed in a special account.

A spokeswoman for the agency said it has started instituting changes recommended in the audit. She also said Wildlife Services agents are trained to strictly follow state and federal wildlife laws (Julie Cart, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 4). -- WW

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