Pennsylvania’s mushroom industry is an incredibly important part of our state’s economy, with the industry creating $1.1 billion in economic impact and providing thousands of jobs. In order to ensure this important industry thrives and operates safely in and around residential areas, I am introducing legislation to include mushroom and composting operations in PA Agricultural Best Management Practices.
 
This needed update would require operations to
 

• Submit to PDA plans for phorid fly and Hydrogen Sulfide mitigation
• Require PDA to do random inspections of these operations for compliance to BMPs and above submitted plans
• Authorize PDA to administer fines to operators not in compliance with plan submission or operations are found to be not in compliance upon inspection
• Designate $3M of already appropriated funds to PDA to fund this critical oversight

 
 
This legislation seeks to support both our mushroom industry and our communities by establishing closer cooperation between the PDA and the mushroom industry.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to support the health and safety of one of Pennsylvania’s important industries and our citizens.