U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Chrissy Houlahan joined a bipartisan delegation asking U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for additional funds for spotted lanternfly research.
In their letter, the Congress members said the spotted lanternfly was damaging the state’s agricultural industries and costing jobs.
“Since 2014, Spotted Lanternflies have wreaked havoc on Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector, damaging our trees, vineyards, crop yields, and even our economy. Economic data from Penn State shows that the Spotted Lanternfly could cost Pennsylvania up to $324 million annually and the potential loss of up to 2,800 jobs. While there has been some progress, it is critically important we continue to secure more funding for research to combat and eradicate this invasive species once and for all,” Fitzpatrick said.
First discovered in Berks County in 2014, the spotted lanternfly destroyed various crops and plants there before spreading throughout Pennsylvania and into other surrounding states. In 2020, lanternfly sightings increased by almost 500 percent.
“Since coming to Congress, this community had been on the front lines of eradicating the spotted lanternfly pest,” said Houlahan. “It continues to have a huge economic impact here in Chester and Berks counties, not just on our farmers, but on small business owners who rely on these supply chains and agricultural products…”
During the 116th Congress, the Pennsylvania delegation ensured the state received a $4 million increase in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to combat the lanternfly for a total of $16 million. Fitzpatrick and Houlahan are asking Congress for another increase in the next budget to combat the spread of the pest.
“Penn State scientists and Extension associates engage daily with families, landowners, and farmers to research and combat the spotted lanternfly,” said Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Rick Roush. “We are developing effective and environmentally safe tools and techniques, and importantly, sharing that critical information to impacted homeowners and the agriculture industry. Our collective impact is notable, but increased investment is vital to suppressing the invasive species population.”