Photo: JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images
Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at curbing the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly. The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, introduced alongside Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, seeks to designate the pest as a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This legislation would amend the 1990 Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act to direct more funding towards research and development to combat the pest.
The spotted lanternfly, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, poses a significant threat to the state's agriculture, particularly affecting grapevines, apples, peaches, and hops. According to TribLive, studies estimate that the pest could cost the state $324 million annually if left uncontrolled. Senator Fetterman emphasized the economic impact, stating that the species has already cost Pennsylvania millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
Senator McCormick highlighted the importance of the bill, stating that investing in research will help protect farms, strengthen the agricultural industry, and control the invasive species. The bill has received bipartisan support and mirrors similar language introduced in the U.S. House last year, as reported by FOX43.
The spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from over 70 plant species, leading to plant stress and death. Their presence also promotes mold growth and attracts other insects, exacerbating the agricultural impact. As the pest continues to spread across Pennsylvania, the bill aims to provide the necessary resources to mitigate its effects and safeguard the state's agricultural economy.