Overview
- Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick formally introduced the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act as a bipartisan effort to target the pest.
- The bill would amend a 1990 agriculture law to name spotted lanternfly control a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
- If passed, the legislation would authorize competitive federal grants to support development and distribution of research-based tools and treatments for control.
- Lawmakers stress the economic risk to Pennsylvania crops, citing a figure from Fetterman’s office that unchecked spread could cost the state about $324 million and harm grapes, apples, peaches and hops.
- The insect was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and now appears across every Pennsylvania county and multiple other states, with recent reports showing inconsistent state counts and rising anecdotal sightings; the bill must clear the Senate and House before funds or programs can begin.