Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for spirotetramat in various crops

Abstract

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS) Austria, received an application from Bayer S.A.S Bayer CropScience to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance spirotetramat in the group ‘other small fruits and berries’, kaki, kiwi fruits and globe artichokes. EFSA proposes to adopt in the EU legislation the enforcement residue definitions proposed in the conclusion of the peer review and also agreed at Codex level and defined as ‘sum spirotetramat, spirotetramat-enol expressed as spirotetramat’ for plant commodities and as ‘spirotetramat-enol expressed as spirotetramat’ for animal products. In addition to the crops included in the current MRL application, EFSA has reconsider all MRLs values reported for plant commodities in the EU legislation in order to express all values according to the enforcement residue proposed here above. According to EFSA the data are sufficient to derive MRL proposals of 0.5 mg/kg on ‘other small fruits and berries’, 0.3 mg/kg on kaki and 3 mg/kg for kiwi fruits according to the residue definition limited to spirotetramat and its enol metabolite. However, EFSA proposes not to implement the MRL proposals in the EU legislation for ‘other small fruits and berries’ and kiwi fruits as long as the stability of residues in high acid matrices has not been confirmed. An amendment of the MRL in globe artichokes is not necessary. An adequate analytical method is available to enforce spirotetramat residues in the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the uses of spirotetramat do not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.