WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley issued the following press release:
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to combat the spread of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive fly hurting fruit growers across the country. The Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act would help strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to reduce the spread of SWD and advance their research into this invasive insect.
"I've heard from Michigan growers about how these invasive insects continue to damage their blueberries, cherries, and other fruits - and pose a serious threat to their livelihoods and businesses," said Senator Peters. ...