Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for chlorantraniliprole in several root and tuber vegetables and oilseeds

Abstract

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the United Kingdom, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from DuPont (UK) Ltd to modify the existing MRLs in several root and tuber vegetables and to set import tolerances in several oilseeds for the active substance chlorantraniliprole. In order to accommodate for the intended uses of chlorantraniliprole, the United Kingdom proposed to raise the existing MRLs in carrots, beetroot, celeriac, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley root, salsify, swedes, turnips and other root and tuber vegetables, except sugar beet and radish, from the values of 0.02 mg/kg or 0.04 mg/kg (depending on the crop) to 0.06 mg/kg and in oilseeds, except peanuts, soya bean and cotton seed, from the limit of quantification of 0.01 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg. The United Kingdom drafted an evaluation report in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, which was submitted to the European Commission and forwarded to EFSA. According to EFSA the data are sufficient to derive a MRL proposal of 0.06 mg/kg for the intended use on carrots, beetroot, celeriac, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley root, salsify, swedes, turnips, other root and tuber vegetables. For the import tolerance on rape seed, sunflower seed and the minor oilseeds a MRL of 2 mg/kg is derived. The MRLs proposed for rape seed and sunflower seed are tentative, because the submitted dataset was incomplete (six instead of the eight residue trials). Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of chlorantraniliprole in the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed uses of chlorantraniliprole on the crops under consideration will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.