WASHINGTON, DC – PA U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick have introduced the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act to designate the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive species that poses a significant threat to our nation’s agricultural economy, as a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. McCormick said PA farmers work hard to produce some of the best agricultural products in the world, and it’s concerning that their hard work is at risk of being eaten away by pests. By investing in research to combat spotted lanternflies, the bill will help protect our farms, strengthen our agricultural economy, and better control this invasive species. Fetterman said spotted lanternflies have ravaged crops that are critical to PA’s economy. For over a decade, they have cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. Spotted lanternflies were first detected in PA in 2014 and are currently found in 51 counties. Studies estimate that the species could cost the state $324 million annually if not contained.
SEN. DAVID MCCORMICK
SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN