PA Ag Department to Businesses: Train Employees, Permit Vehicles to Ensure Uninterrupted Commerce with NY

Harrisburg, PA – On the heels of New York announcing last week that it will ramp up actions to protect itself from the Spotted Lanternfly, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is encouraging businesses operating within the commonwealth’s 13-county quarantine zone to train employees on how to identify and eradicate the invasive pest so as to not spread it inadvertently.

Last week, New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that businesses working in Pennsylvania’s quarantine area and moving products into New York without a permit may be issued a notice of rejection. Companies that receive three notices of rejection may be denied entry into New York. New York officials – as well as officials in neighboring New Jersey – have said they will honor Spotted Lanternfly permits issued to businesses by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The commonwealth has partnered with the Penn State Cooperative Extension to offer a training program that, upon successful completion, conveys a permit for businesses in order to comply with state quarantine orders to ensure shipments are not rejected at the border.

“When a business is moving in and out of the quarantine zone, whether transporting people or commodities, there is an increased risk of spreading Spotted Lanternfly,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “By obtaining a permit, businesses signal that they’re committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s trade and commerce.”

New York’s quarantine restricts movement of regulated articles originating from or moved through a quarantine area for Spotted Lanternfly and into their state, unless the regulated article (which may include items stored outside, plants, green lumber, mulch, and other items):

• is accompanied by a certificate of inspection;
• has been loaded, handled, or shipped in a manner reasonably designated to prevent it from becoming infested with or harboring Spotted Lanternfly; and
• is accompanied by a waybill that sets forth its point of origin and intended destination.

Business owners, supervisors, or designated company representatives may take the permit training and exam at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly. Questions can be sent to slfpermit@pa.gov.