Fetterman, McCormick push research into spotted lantern fly farm damage

(The Center Square) – U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick are teaming up to introduce legislation they say will protect farms and strengthen the agricultural economy.

The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, introduced last week by both Pennsylvania senators along with U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, would designate the Spotted Lanternfly as a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

“Spotted lanternflies have ravaged crops that are critical to Pennsylvania’s economy including grapevines, apples, peaches, hops, and more,” Fetterman said. “For over a decade, they have cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.”

“Pennsylvania’s farmers work hard to produce some of the best agricultural products in the world, and it’s concerning that their hard work is at risk of being eaten away by...