Letter to Honorable Richard Shelby, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Honorable Nita Lowey, Chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations, Honorable Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, and Honorable Kay Granger, Ranking Member on the Committee on Appropriations - Gillibrand Calls For $16 Million In Funding To Combat The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly
Letter
Dear Chairman Shelby, Vice Chairman Leahy, Chairwoman Lowey, and Ranking Member Granger:
I respectfully ask that you fully fund the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Specialty Crop Pest program in the final FY21 Agriculture Appropriations bill, and within that funding provide $16.066 million for the spotted lanternfly, which is consistent with the House funding level for FY 2021. Fully funding this pest initiative will help contain this invasive species that is devastating northeastern crops and has the potential to spread to further states.
Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive species that is thought to have arrived in the United States in 2012. According to Cornell University, the first infestation was found in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014. Although quarantine measures were taken in the infested townships and efforts were taken to eradicate this pest, spotted lanternfly has proved difficult to contain. Currently there are infestations of spotted lantern fly in nine states, including in my home state of New York.
It is imperative that this pest is contained before it further invades the Eastern Seaboard and eventually makes its spread across the United States. This would have devastating effects on agriculture, tourism, and residential homes. Through their research, Cornell University has highlighted that the spotted lanternfly has a strong preference for specialty crops such as grapes, decimating entire vineyards in Pennsylvania. If this pest is able to migrate out of its current location, it could prove to be devastating for all states with a strong specialty crop sector.
In order to further manage the spread of this invasive species. I strongly urge you to include $16.066 million for the spotted lanternfly, within the APHIS Specialty Crop Pest program, in the final FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Thank you for consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
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