Search

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Certis Europe B.V. submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance imazalil in cucumbers, courgettes and gherkins. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive an MRL proposal of 0.08 mg/kg for the whole group of cucurbits with edible peel. It is noted that the derived MRL is proposed to replace the existing tentative MRL of 0.1 mg/kg for courgettes, thus also addressing the data gap identified in the context of the MRL review. As regards to cucumbers and gherkins, it is noted that the MRL proposal derived in the current application is covered by the MRL of 0.5 mg/kg currently in place for these commodities. Nevertheless, it is also noted that the aforementioned MRLs are based on Codex maximum residue limits (CXLs) which were revoked in 2019 following the JMPR proposal. Should this proposal be implemented in the EU regulation in the future, the proposed MRL of 0.08 mg/kg as derived in the current application would be considered an appropriate fall‐back option for the whole group of cucurbits with edible peel. Further risk management considerations are therefore required. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of imazalil on the commodities under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.005 mg/kg (QuEChERS method based on LC–MS/MS) and 0.01 mg/kg (HPLC–MS/MS method). Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of imazalil according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. However, it should be noted that a high degree of uncertainty on the overall long‐term exposure calculation remains due to the data gaps identified in the context of the MRL review on full toxicological assessment of the metabolite R014821, which is expected to occur following post‐harvest uses of imazalil, and animal metabolites FK‐772 and FK‐284. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Bayer SAS – Crop Science Division submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance prothioconazole in garlic, onions and shallots. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for garlic, onion and shallots. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of prothioconazole on the commodities under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.02 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of prothioconazole according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. An indicative exposure assessment to triazole derivative metabolites from the intended uses of prothioconazole did not indicate consumer intake concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicants Nisso Chemical Europe GmbH and Sipcam Italia S.p.A. submitted requests to the competent national authority in the Netherlands and in Italy, respectively, to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance acetamiprid in various crops. The data submitted in support of these requests were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for plums, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, other cucurbits with edible peel, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, pomegranates and honey. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of acetamiprid in the commodities under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short-term and long-term intake of residues resulting from the use of acetamiprid according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Nichino America Inc submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to set an import tolerance for the active substance flutolanil in peanuts. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive maximum residue level (MRL) proposal for peanuts. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of flutolanil in plant matrices at the validated limited of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short-term and long-term intake of residues resulting from the use of flutolanil according to the reported agricultural practice is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Syngenta Crop Protection AG submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance difenoconazole in commodities belonging to the group of leafy brassica. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for leafy brassica. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of difenoconazole in plant matrices under consideration at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg and for difenoconazole and metabolite CGA205375 in animal matrices at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg for meat muscle, fat, liver, kidney and eggs and at the validated LOQ of 0.005 mg/kg for milk. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that for the crops assessed in this application the short‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of difenoconazole according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. Long‐term consumer intake concerns cannot be excluded for the intended and existing difenoconazole uses as they are affected by uncertainties associated with the toxicity of metabolite CGA205375 and the lack of information on all existing difenoconazole uses in the EU. Overall, this risk assessment is considered provisional, pending the submission of confirmatory data on possible preferential metabolism/degradation of the four stereo isomers of difenoconazole in plants and has to be re‐considered when the missing data become available. Additionally, this assessment does not take into consideration triazole derivative metabolites (TDMs) which may be generated by several pesticides belonging to the group of triazole fungicides as this application was submitted before September 2019 which is the date of application of the new strategy endorsed by the risk managers for the assessment of TDMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicants BASF Agro B.V. (represented by OAT Agrio Co. Ltd.) and Certis Europe B.V. submitted separate requests to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance cyflumetofen in various crops. The data submitted in support of the requests were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for citrus fruits, apricots, peaches, tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers and hops. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of cyflumetofen on the fruit commodities under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg and on hops at the LOQ of 0.1 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of cyflumetofen according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant BASF SE submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for bentazone in beans and peas with and without pods. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for peas with pods. Results from the residue trials indicated that there is no need to modify the existing MRLs for beans with pods, beans without pods and peas without pods. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of bentazone and its metabolites in the commodity under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg. EFSA concluded that the proposed use of bentazone on peas with pods will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a risk to consumers' health for parent bentazone. The risk assessment however is indicative and affected by additional, non-standard uncertainties resulting from the insufficient information related to the toxicological properties for 6-hydroxy-bentazone in the wheat metabolism study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicants Syngenta Crop Protection, UPL Europe Ltd. and Oxon Italia S.p.A. submitted requests to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate the confirmatory data for chlorothalonil that were identified in the framework of the MRL review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available; in addition, Syngenta and UPL submitted requests for modifications of existing MRLs. Considering the recent decision on the non‐approval of chlorothalonil, the requests for amending existing MRLs to reflect intended EU uses for chlorothalonil and confirmatory data for EU uses became obsolete. EFSA focused therefore its assessment on the import tolerances and on general information on the analytical method required to enforce legal limits for chlorothalonil and its metabolite SDS‐3701 (R182281). Analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of chlorothalonil and SDS‐3701 in plant matrices at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg; data on the extraction efficiency for high oil content matrices as requested in the MRL review were not provided. This data gap is relevant for the import tolerance for peanuts. The data submitted in support of import tolerances were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for chlorothalonil and SDS‐3701 for bagged bananas, papayas and peanuts. Studies investigating the effect of high temperature processing on the magnitude of SDS‐3701 in processed products are not available. Based on exposure calculations for chlorothalonil, EFSA concluded that the long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of chlorothalonil according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumers. For papaya, an acute intake concern was noted for chlorothalonil, while for banana and peanuts, the expected short‐term intake of chlorothalonil residues was below the toxicological reference value. For the metabolite SDS‐3701, the toxicological profile is not fully elucidated, and therefore, toxicological reference values could not be derived. Hence, for this metabolite, the consumer risk assessment cannot be finalised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Syngenta Crop Protection AG submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to set an import tolerance for the active substance abamectin in various commodities imported from the United States of America. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for tree nuts, peaches, avocados, lettuces and salad plants, spinaches and similar leaves, Florence fennels and cotton seed. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of abamectin on the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of abamectin according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant Bayer Crop Science submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for aclonifen in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. To address the data gaps, an analytical method for enforcement in complex/no group matrices (spices) and additional four residue trials supporting SEU authorisation on peppers were submitted. The data gaps were considered satisfactorily addressed and the tentative MRLs can be confirmed in peppers, in seed and fruit spices and in flowers and leaves and herbs of herbal infusions. The previous consumer intake assessment remains valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant Syngenta Crop Protection submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate the confirmatory data addressing information that was identified as not available for abamectin in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. In addition, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant submitted a request to modify the existing MRLs for abamectin in lamb’s lettuces, lettuces, escaroles, cresses and other sprouts/shoots, roman rocket/rucola, baby leaf crops, celery leaves, spinaches and similar leaves, beans with pods and peas with pods. The data gap on the validation for the enforcement analytical method was satisfactorily addressed; in addition, the requested residue trials to support the indoor winter use on lamb’s lettuces were provided. For pome fruits and tomatoes, lower MRLs were derived based on alternative good agricultural practices (GAPs) already assessed by EFSA. Among the intended new uses requested in the MRL application, the residue data were sufficient to support an MRL proposal for the indoor winter use on lamb’s lettuces and baby leaf crops, the outdoor Southern Europe use on lamb’s lettuces, escaroles, cresses and other sprouts/shoots, roman rocket/rucola, baby leaf crops, spinaches and similar leaves, celery leaves and the indoor winter use on peas with pods. For lettuces and beans with pods, the supporting data were not fully compliant with the data requirements, and further risk management discussions are recommended to decide whether a modification of the existing MRLs would be appropriate. EFSA updated the most recent consumer risk assessment for abamectin and concluded that the long-term dietary intake is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. According to the internationally agreed methodology, an acute consumer risk was not identified in relation to the uses assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant BASF SE submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for active substance metazachlor in the framework of the review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. The data gaps identified during the MRL review were satisfactorily addressed for flowering brassica, head cabbages, kales and kohlrabies. The applicant no longer supported the uses on radishes, turnips, horseradishes and swedes assessed during the MRL review. In addition, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant submitted a request to modify the existing MRLs in turnips, swedes, horseradishes and leeks to reflect intended new uses. Nevertheless, the residue data submitted were not fully compliant with the currently applicable data requirements. For turnips, horseradishes and swedes, the applicant and the Netherlands requested EFSA to present the data and the deficiencies identified to allow risk managers to take an informed decision on the appropriate MRLs. A change of the existing MRLs for liver of swine and ruminants resulting from the authorised and intended uses of metazachlor is also proposed. EFSA updated the most recent consumer risk assessment for metazachlor and concluded that the long‐term and short‐term dietary intake is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant BASF SE submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for bentazone in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. To address the data gaps, a new livestock feeding study and storage stability data for bentazone and 6‐hydroxy bentazone in animal matrices were submitted. To address the data gap for potatoes, adjusted less critical good agricultural practices (GAPs) were reported and supporting residue data were provided. The data gap related to analytical methods in fat and herbal infusions were addressed in the framework of the peer review. The data gap for residue trials on leek has not been addressed. Further confirmation from the applicant/Member States are needed for the clarification of the GAP for herbal infusions. Based on the information submitted in support of the confirmatory data request, the existing EU MRLs for bentazone need to be modified for potato and leek, for swine fat and kidney and for bovine, equine, goat and sheep fat, liver and milk. The consumer risk assessment performed in the MRL review was updated, using new toxicological reference values derived by the peer review. No consumer intake concerns were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]