Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for flonicamid in several crops

• Main Author: European Food Safety Authority
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2015-05-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: flonicamid; vegetables; cotton and cereals; MRL application; Regulation (EC) No 396/2005; consumer risk assessment
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4103

Abstract In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, both France, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS‐FR), and the Netherlands, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS‐NL) received an application from ISK Biosciences Europe N.V. to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance flonicamid in peas without pods, cotton seeds and rye (EMS‐FR) and peppers, Brussels sprouts, barley and oat (EMS‐NL). France and the Netherlands 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 MRL proposals of 0.3 mg/kg for peppers (indoor uses), 0.6 mg/kg for Brussels sprouts, 0.7 mg/kg for peas without pods, 0.2 mg/kg for cotton seeds, 0.4 mg/kg for barley and oat. The extrapolation to rye of the current MRL of 2 mg/kg set on wheat in the EU legislation and recommended during the Article 12 review of the existing MRLs is confirmed. Sufficient data were not provided to support the outdoor use of flonicamid on peppers. Adequate analytical methods are available to control the residues of flonicamid and its metabolites TFNG and TFNA in the crops under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes thatthe proposed uses of flonicamid on the crops under consideration will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.