(WASHINGTON D.C.) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the Monarch butterfly as a threatened species. This proposed listing now initiates a 90-day pubic comment period, ending March 12th, 2025.
This threatened designation proposed for the Monarch butterfly shows the need for strong conservation measures to continue according to groups such as the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association and Farmers for Monarchs.
“As corn growers, we look forward to providing input on how we can protect Monarch butterflies without disrupting critical agricultural activities that help fuel and feed the world,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr.
Brandon Wipf, ASA board member and soy grower from South Dakota, is ASA’s liaison with Farmers for Monarchs, an agriculture-based group with the purpose of protecting the butterfly through conservation. Wipf said of FWS’ decision, “Farmers are proud to be part of the solution when it comes to protecting both the environment and species. We have long adopted voluntary conservation practices that support wildlife and specifically, Monarch butterflies. We welcome this opportunity to share our story and ensure any future listing decision is grounded in sound science and allows farmers the flexibility to continue growing soy productively, sustainably, and using practices that help Monarch populations thrive.”
According to ASA, the proposed threatened listing decision was long expected. It begins a year-long process to determine if FWS’ proposed decision is warranted and what protections may be needed to safeguard Monarch populations. The process, known as a 4(d) rule, allows flexibility to design a suite of appropriate, effective protections. In addition to the 90-comment period announced by FWS that starts Dec. 12, the process includes public hearings and other opportunities for engagement. Importantly, any decision is required by law to be based on the best available science and commercial data, including data regarding conservation efforts already in use. ASA encourages soybean growers to provide feedback on the proposal and share what steps farmers currently take to be good environmental stewards.
At Farmers for Monarchs, they are encouraging farmers to continue their conservation efforts for the monarch butterfly amid the Monarch listing decision by U.S. FWS.
“Farmers and landowners play a critical role in monarch conservation, and this threatened listing proposal provides a pathway for collaborative efforts that benefit monarch populations. This is the next step in a process that will take another year to reach a final decision. During this time, we strongly encourage farmers to develop new habitat projects or continue the voluntary monarch conservation initiatives already deployed on their land,” said Matt Mulica, senior project director at Keystone Policy Center, which facilitates Farmers for Monarchs. “Today’s proposed rule also affords farmers the opportunity to weigh in during the public comment period. Farmers for Monarchs is committed to ensuring farmers have relevant information to share their voices and perspectives.”
ASA’s Wipf continued, “Most U.S. farms have used various sustainability methods for years and have continued to add additional conservation efforts along the way. For example, many farmers maintain land plots for wildlife food and habitat, including pollinators. And data shows more growers than ever are using practices that promote soil and water health such as reductions in tillage and cover crops. Farmers need to continue doing what they have been doing: being good, proactive stewards of our natural resources, including maintaining conservation practices that help protect Monarch butterflies.”
According to NCGA, the Endangered Species Act provides U.S. government agencies the authority to evaluate the conservation status of species and offers legal protections to those listed as endangered or threatened. In 2014, a petition was accepted to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
