Schumer calls for USDA action to combat Spotted Lanternfly

WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is launching a new federal push after nearly every region of upstate New York has seen the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) putting wineries and crops at risk. Schumer said, uncontrolled, the pesky bug could cost New York State millions if it is not contained. In mid-August, Schumer urged the USDA to tap federal funds from an account he has supported with over $200 million dollars to contain the SLF. Schumer said these funds can be used by New York's "Integrated Pest Management Program," and that there is still time to contain the Spotted Lanternfly's serious threat to New York. Schumer also said fed funds can be used for education and eradication as he made the case for delivering an additional $22 million in the upcoming fed budget to deal with invasives like the SLF. "Summer is the perfect time to relax outdoors with a nice New York Riesling, but the rapid spread of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly threatens to suck the life out of our vineyards, agriculture, and great outdoor tourism industry. We need to stomp out this bug before it spreads, otherwise our farmers and local businesses could face millions in damage and an unmanageable swarm," Sen. Schumer said. "For years now, I have warned about the pest, but now we are demanding action because pockets of Upstate New York are now infested by the invasive bug that wreaks havoc on trees, vineyards and crops. This is a multi-million dollar threat to New York's economy-- both tourism and agriculture are now at risk if the spotted lanternfly goes unchecked. But the good news here is that we have federal funds already in place, that I secured, to help New York contain the bug and that we will be pushing for more." Schumer detailed a two-pronged push to contend with the bug. First, Schumer said, he is calling on the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to use the over $200 million for the Specialty Crops Pests program he secured in the recent appropriations bill, including $1 million allocated for the control of Spotted Lanternflies, to bolster New York's ongoing efforts to prevent the insect from spreading in New York. Second, Schumer is launching a major push to increase federal support for the USDA's APHIS program by over $22 million in FY23 to enhance their work with states to prevent & mitigate invasive species like the Spotted Lanternfly. Schumer praised the work being done currently by USDA and New York State to monitor for sightings of the SLF and to educate locals on best ways to spot this invasive species. However, he said, long-sustained funding and planning is required to prevent damage and ensure communities have the resources to stop this bug from coming back and stomping it out wherever it may pop up. Schumer said the Spotted Lanternfly poses a risk to New York's agricultural health, too, because they feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, which makes plants vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. As swarm feeders, SLF's are known to quickly overwhelm vineyards and orchards, killing grape vines and other fruit bearers or rendering them unusable due the excessive amounts of "honeydew" they release when feeding which can cover the plant and cause mold. Schumer said the spread of the SLF could have particularly devastating impact in places like Finger Lakes, where the wine industry employs thousands of New Yorkers and generates significant economic activity. New York's wine and grape industry generates a direct economic impact of $6.65 billion annually, creates over 71,000 jobs, and attracts nearly 5 million tourist visits a year. Similarly, New York's apple industry contributes $1.3 billion in total economic output, provides more than 8,000 jobs, and produces nearly $4 million in gross domestic product to New York State's economy. Schumer said that these crops are vital to the continued economic success of New York and it is imperative the federal government provides all necessary resources to control the spread of SLF and protect these iconic New York's industries. The New York State Department of Agriculture is encouraging New Yorkers to kill the invasive spotted lanternfly. They reported spotted lanternflies were first seen on Staten Island in August 2020 and have since been spotted across upstate New York. To help control this invasive insect, the state, with the help of federal funds, is: -Conducting trapping surveys, collecting data, and monitoring SLF populations -Restricting movement of goods brought into NY from quarantined areas in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia by requiring certain items (such as construction and landscaping materials) have a certificate of inspection issued by impacted state -Conducting outreach to the public, trade groups, other stakeholders to provide up to date info on SLF -Educating the public on how to identify SLF, report sightings to the state, and kill the bug; get in the habit of inspecting firewood and outdoor furniture for egg masses; and reminding New Yorkers if they leave the state to inspect their car for SLF before coming back to avoid further spreading them

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Schumer calls for USDA action to combat Spotted Lanternfly

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