Barletta Statement on Emergency Funding to Fight Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania

Statement

Rep. Lou Barletta (PA-11) issued the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced $17.5 million in emergency funding to stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania:

"Secretary Perdue's decision will provide a major lifeline to Pennsylvania farmers struggling to combat the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly," Barletta said. "Eradicating this destructive species will save many plant-based agricultural products in the state. I would like to thank Secretary Perdue and the Trump Administration for their leadership on this issue. I will continue to monitor the outbreak until combined state, local, and federal efforts successfully end the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly."

On January 18, 2018, Rep. Barletta signed a letter with the Pennsylvania House delegation to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (TX-11) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (MN-07) in a joint effort to secure $20 to $40 million in Farm Bill aid to eradicate the Spotted Lanternfly. According to Penn State University, the species could destroy up to $18 billion worth of Pennsylvania plant-based commodities in the near future if immediate action is not taken. The spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to agriculture -- especially grapes, apples, hardwoods and fruit trees -- which are all key commodities in Pennsylvania.

You can read that letter HERE.

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