Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, in my home State of Hawaii, invasive species like the coffee berry borer, fruit flies, macadamia nut felted coccid, and others, have cost our local farmers and agriculture industry millions in lost revenue. Across the country, these pests, along with other invasive insects, diseases, and weeds, cause serious and harmful damage to our farmlands, agriculture production, food supply, environment, and public health.

I have introduced the Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act of 2015 to continue supporting long-term and sustainable solutions to fighting these noxious and invasive species.

In Hawaii, AIPMs have helped increase the number of commercial farms and have helped local farmers increase their crop diversity, decrease the use of harmful pesticides, and manage the pests in a sustainable and cost-effective way.

This legislation will help farmers, ranchers, and land managers all across the country reduce the impact of these harmful invasive species.

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