Joseph D.

Morelle Committee on Rules

25th District, New York Committee on Budget
Committee on Education and Labor
Washington Office
1317 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3615

Rochester Office
3120 Federal Building
Congress of the United States
100 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614 House of Representatives
(585) 232-4850
Washington, DC 20515

December 2, 2020

The Honorable Sonny Perdue The Honorable Kevin Shea

Secretary Administrator
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
1400 Independence Ave SW U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250 1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Perdue and Administrator Shea,

I am writing you today to express concern over recently reported sightings of the invasive Spotted
Lanternfly (SLF) in four counties across New York State. After the first confirmed infestation in New
York was found in August of this year, this invasive species has since spread as far as the southern shores
of Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region. I am deeply concerned by the rate at which this
invasive population is spreading across the state, as well as the catastrophic impact it will have on New
York agriculture if not contained.

The SLF has the potential to wreak havoc on agricultural producers throughout the United States. It is
particularly damaging to grapevines and apple trees, which both play an enormous role in New York’s
agricultural economy. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets estimates that the state
produces about 30 million bushels of apples each year and that the annual harvest of grapes in New York
is valued at $52.8 million. Given these extraordinary numbers, the establishment of this invasive species
in New York will clearly have a devasting economic impact on the Finger Lakes region and throughout
upstate New York.

I applaud previous efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service to contain the spread of SLF, as evidenced by the Department’s commitment to
provide $17.5 million in emergency funding to contain the spread of SLF in Pennsylvania in 2018. As this
invasive species has continued to spread into New York, however, I am deeply concerned that these
efforts have been insufficient. I am even more concerned by the Administration’s proposal last year to cut
funding from the National Invasive Species Council, which is responsible for coordinating the efforts of
federal agencies to combat the spread of invasive species. Cutting funding from this important federal
entity calls into question the seriousness of USDA’s commitment towards addressing the complex
problem of invasive species, which requires input and cooperation from numerous stakeholders both
inside and outside the federal government.

I urge you to redouble your efforts towards containing and eliminating the SLF by coordinating with the
New York Department of Agriculture and Markets and providing emergency funding for early detection
and rapid response. The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets has already begun to issue
emergency regulations, and farmers throughout the state are playing their role by reporting SLF egg
masses, but assistance from the federal government is critical towards effectively addressing the problem.
Please provide a response on the current planned federal efforts to contain the spread of this invasive
species, including how you intend to coordinate with state and local governments. Through immediate
and substantial action, we can protect the livelihood of so many farmers and winemakers throughout New
York State and the country. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your
reply.

Sincerely,

Joseph D. Morelle
Member of Congress