Lawmakers push for research money
Two Pa. lawmakers are urging their colleagues to set aside $16 million in funding to tackle the pest.
Two federal lawmakers who represent Pennsylvania are urging their colleagues to set aside $16 million in funding to continue the research taking place to tackle the spread of the spotted lanternfly.
Chester County Democrat Chrissy Houlahan and Centre County Republican Glenn Thompson announced Friday that the House Appropriations Committee backed their bipartisan request for funding that would support research into preventing the spread of and eventual eradication of the invasive pest.
“I continue to hear from farmers, homeowners and agricultural leaders in our community about the destruction caused by the spotted lanternfly,” Houlahan said in a press release. “I’m proud to have, for the second year in a row, secured funding for our community and commonwealth to combat this invasive species. It is crucial that we continue to put party aside and step up for our community’s farmers and for their crucial role in our economy.”
Native to Asia, the lanternfly was first discovered in America in 2014 in Berks County.
Since then, it has spread to 13 other counties in Pennsylvania and has been found in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. The lanternfly threatens grape, tree fruit, hardwood and nursery industries — which collectively are worth about $18 billion to the Pennsylvania economy alone.
In the past, Houlahan and Thompson have led successful initiatives to secure the necessary funding to combat the invasive species, including sending a letter in March making the case for the additional $16 million. That letter was also signed by 19 other bipartisan members of Congress, which included most of the Pennsylvania delegation.
“The spotted lanternfly is a relentless menace that continues to harm Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector, damaging trees and destroying crop yields,” Thompson said in the release. “We must continue to guarantee the resources necessary to research, prevent the spread and to eradicate this pest and other invasive species that inflict so much harm on our environment and economy.”
Houlahan praised Penn State Berks for its innovative research and contribution to the eradication of the harmful insect.
Penn State Berks has been one of the primary research sites studying methods of controlling the lanternfly through a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture grant. The research team includes scientists from Penn State Berks, Penn State’s College of Agriculture Sciences and the Penn State County Extension.
Dr. Rich Roush, dean of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, said the additional funds are a worthy investment in critically important agricultural and forest-based industries in Pennsylvania.
“The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension continue to serve as vital resources — conducting research and assisting businesses, property owners, and families throughout the commonwealth — and are grateful to Rep. Houlahan and Rep. Thompson for their leadership in support of efforts to fight the spotted lanternfly,” he said in the release.