The Pennsylvania Automotive Association (PAA) reports dealerships have recently been audited by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) to ensure compliance with spotted lanternfly (SLF) training.

All businesses operating in the state-imposed quarantined zone must have permits from PDA to move vehicles, equipment and goods within and out of the zone. This is to prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest that feeds on the sap of more than 70 plant species.

To obtain a permit, managers or supervisors are required to complete a training course to demonstrate understanding and working knowledge of the pest and quarantine requirements. The training is available free online through PSU Extension. Once the person has completed the course, they are considered a trainer and are responsible for training all employees on what to look for and how to safeguard against moving SLF. The training must be recorded for compliance. Businesses are required to inspect any item that may harbor SLF such as products, packaging, vehicles and other conveyances. 

Dealerships are required to permit company vehicles that are moving within the quarantine zones. Vehicles for sale do not require a permit.

Permit holders must complete vehicle inspections and should be able to produce records upon request. If inspection records are kept electronically, they must be able to be accessed during a spotted lanternfly checkpoint inspection. If any spotted lanternfly lifecycle was found during an inspection, those records must be kept for a minimum of 2 years.
Inspection records at a minimum must identify the inspector and document a completed vehicle and/or regulated article inspection. There is no required form for inspections, however there are many templates available for use through Penn State.

Information for online and in-person permit training is available on Penn State Extension's SLF page. Direct questions to [email protected] or 717-787-5674.

Currently, 51 counties are under the quarantine, including: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Center, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Greene, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Union, York, Washington, Wayne and Westmoreland.