Oct. 17, 2017
WHAT: Members of the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), will hold a joint informational meeting to discuss the threat of Spotted Lanternfly, a non-native species with the potential to impact several facets of the state’s agriculture industry. Quarantines have been established in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties, and there is growing concern regarding its spread.
WHO: Causer, Vogel, members of the committees and the following presenters: Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding; Sven-Erik Spichiger, entomology program manager, and Dana Rhodes, state plant regulatory official, both of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry; Matthew Rhoads, executive director of plant health programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Emelie Swackhamer, horticulture extension educator with the Montgomery County Extension Office; and Marianne Lieberman, owner of Maple Springs Vineyard in Berks County, and Calvin Beekman, owner of Beekman Orchards in Berks County.
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Hearing Room 1, North Office Building, State Capitol Complex.
LIVE WEBSTREAMING: Barring any technical difficulties, the meeting will be streamed live at
RepCauser.com.
Media contact: Patricia Hippler, 717.772.9846,
phippler@pahousegop.com