To prevent the further spread of the Spotted Lanternfly (which is damaging to agriculture), a series of quarantined areas have been designated in southeastern Pennsylvania and in and around Philadelphia. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species of insects from Asia that first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014.
If your trucks stop in the quarantine zones for any purpose (other than for refueling or at a traffic signal), including to take a rest break, your drivers are required to obtain training and a permit is required for the truck.
The training and permits are FREE and can be completed online. Enforcement will commence May 2019 with roadside stops. States in the areas surrounding quarantine areas (NY, DE and NJ) will also be conducting stops, checking logs and bills of lading. All surrounding states will be recognizing permits and training received through the Pennsylvania program.
A company manager will have to take a short online course through Penn State’s Agriculture Extension Service. The training typically takes 1.5 hrs or less to complete. Once completed, the manager can order the permits and train drivers and warehouse workers.
After online training is completed, companies will be able to request the number of permits they require. Permits are sent via mail and arrive within 2-3 weeks.
For detailed information on the training and permits, please go to https://bit.ly/2lGJQzQ. Permits are available as hangtags (kept with vehicle registration), or decals to be placed on a truck’s driver side door.
For an interactive map of the affected areas, please click here.
Questions regarding these new permit and training requirements, can be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at slfpermit@pa.gov.