The Department of Agriculture published notice in the March 16 PA Bulletin extending the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine area to Dauphin County.
In November 2017, 13 other Pennsylvania counties – Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill – were placed under quarantine to help stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly.
Click Here for quarantine area requirements of businesses, landowners and others. Click Here for a copy of the PA Bulletin notice.
“Whether you are a contractor, farmer, truck driver or business or rail owner, the Spotted Lanternfly can pose a risk to your business and threaten your bottom line,” said Russell Redding, Secretary of Agriculture. “It is incumbent on Pennsylvania’s business community to obtain a permit so that we can demonstrate our due diligence to trading partners and restrict the movement of this invasive pests to other areas of the Commonwealth and other states.”
“I encourage all Pennsylvania businesses to learn how they can do their part to get permitted, and for communities and homeowners to join us in this fight,” said Sec. Redding. “This invasive insect is prone to human-assisted movement, so residents need to stay vigilant, check their vehicles, and survey their surroundings. By contacting your local Penn State Extension staff, you can receive tips and information about the latest products available to combat Spotted Lanternfly, such as sprays, sticky bands, and other approved control methods.”
Businesses operating in the quarantine zone must have permits to move equipment and goods within and out of the zone.
As part of the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine agreement beginning May 1, 2019, the Department’s Bureau of Plant Industry will begin to perform inspections and verification checks to confirm that businesses are properly permitted.
Failure to take the permit exam and educate employees could result in possible penalties and fines.
Online Permit Training
Penn State Extension is now offering an online Spotted Lanternfly Permit Training For Business Program to teach businesses best practices to stop its spread.
Click Here to register for this free training program. Click Here for a short video overview.
March 21 Webinar
The Department of Agriculture is hosting a Do I Need A Spotted Lanternfly Permit webinar for business owners on March 21 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Find out more about Spotted Lanternfly, visit Agriculture’s Spotted Lanternfly, the USDA Lanternfly and the Penn State Extension Spotted Lanternfly webpages.
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