Final answer:
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the statute that provides authority for pest control in the United States, regulated by the EPA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statute that provides authority for pest control in the United States is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FIFRA regulates the distribution, sale, and use of pesticides to protect public health and the environment. It was established long before the founding of the EPA, which now has the responsibility of registering all pesticides legally sold in the country. Under this act, the use of biological control agents like bacteria, viruses, and predatory species is promoted. This is a part of the broader, environmentally friendly pest management strategies which contribute to sustainable agriculture by enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services, and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.