Availability of Final Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent of Olive Psyllid

Stakeholder Announcement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) that addresses the environmental impacts of releasing the insect Psyllaephagus euphyllurae to biologically control olive psyllid (Euphyllurae olivina) in the contiguous United States. After careful analysis, APHIS has determined that the release of this control agent within the continental United States will likely not have a significant impact on the environment.

The olive psyllid is native to southern Europe and was first detected in California in 2007. The pest feeds exclusively on the blossoms and growing tissue of olive plants and can diminish fruit production by as much as 60 percent in some parts of the Mediterranean Basin. Releasing P. euphyllurae will reduce olive psyllid’s presence in California. This small and stingless wasp poses no risk to humans, livestock, or wildlife. It feeds exclusively on the invasive olive psyllid. Biological control is a useful management strategy for an invasive pest whenever effective natural enemies are not present in an invasive insect’s new environment. APHIS plans to issue permits for P. euphyllurae to reduce the severity of damage to olive crops from the invasive olive psyllid in California.

APHIS has reviewed and considered all public input submitted during the comment period and used the information to complete the final EA. APHIS is issuing permits for the release of P. euphyllurae into the contiguous United States for the biological control of the olive psyllid. Members of the public can review the final EA by visiting www.regulations.gov and entering APHIS-2022-0015 in the Search field.

APHIS protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist. We also certify the health of U.S. agricultural exports and resolve phytosanitary and sanitary issues to open, expand, and maintain markets for U.S plant and animal products.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.