Precautions for and experiences with introduction of exotic biological control agents into the former USSR1

The experience of introducing more than 120 species of exotic biological control agents for use against more than 40 species of pests during 70 years in the countries of the former USSR is analysed. The examples of biological protection of citrus orchards and some other programmes using biological control agents are described in more detail. The precautionary measures elaborated for these programmes consist of: (1) the prohibition of use by insufficiently qualified persons or non-State organizations; (2) phytosanitary procedures preventing the spread of quarantine pests; (3) elimination from the biological control material of any hyperparasites, diseases or other accidentally introduced organisms under adequate quarantine conditions; (4) investigations at the place of release of the biological control agent into the environment.