Trump delays monarch Endangered Species Act decision
The Trump administration has delayed a decision on listing monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act, with OMB’s September regulatory agenda moving the action to a 'long-term' category that pushes any decision beyond the current year. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said listings must be based on the best scientific and commercial data and emphasized voluntary, locally driven conservation, while conservationists warned the move leaves monarch protections in bureaucratic limbo.
📌 Key Facts
- OMB’s September 2025 Unified Agenda reclassified the monarch listing decision as a 'long-term action,' delaying it past the current year.
- USFWS in December 2024 had planned a decision by the end of 2025 and now says any listing must follow ESA’s science-based standards.
- The administration also moved in November to roll back blanket protections for threatened species in favor of species-specific rules.
📊 Relevant Data
The eastern monarch butterfly population occupied 1.79 hectares of overwintering forest in Mexico during the 2024-2025 winter, a 99% increase from the previous year but still part of a long-term decline trend.
Monarch Population Status — MonarchWatch
The western monarch butterfly population was counted at 9,119 individuals in the 2024-2025 winter survey, marking the second-lowest count since records began in 1997.
Western Monarch Butterfly Population Declines to Near Record Low — Western Monarch Count
The United States is losing approximately 2.2 million acres of potential monarch and pollinator habitat annually due to development.
The Details - Bring Back The Monarchs — MonarchWatch
Listing the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act could impact agricultural producers by influencing land management practices, pesticide use, and habitat conservation requirements.
Butterfly effect? NALC webinar will discuss impacts of listing monarch butterfly under ESA — National Agricultural Law Center