Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance dimoxystrobin

The conclusions of the EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Hungary, and co-rapporteur Member State, Ireland, for the pesticide active substance dimoxystrobin as well as the assessment of maximum residue levels (MRLs) and confirmatory data following the review of the existing MRLs of dimoxystrobin according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. In June 2023, the European Commission sent a mandate confirming the need to adopt and publish a conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance dimoxystrobin excluding the full assessment of endocrine-disrupting properties, containing all the results of the peer review process related to the renewal of approval as well as the assessment of the application for MRL for oilseed rapeseed, poppy seed, mustard seed and gold of pleasure seed, and the MRL application addressing the confirmatory data identified during the MRL review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of dimoxystrobin as a fungicide on oilseed rape and sunflower. MRLs were assessed in rapeseeds, poppy seed, mustard seed and Gold of pleasure seed. The reliable end points, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment and the proposed MRLs, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are presented where identified.

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Setting of maximum residue limits for propargite in citrus fruits and tea

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS) Italy received an application from Arysta LifeScience Great Britain Ltd to set maximum residue levels (MRL) for the active substance propargite in imported citrus fruits and tea. Italy 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 4 mg/kg for oranges only, as the extrapolation to the whole group is not supported by the EU rules. Based on the residue trials, an MRL of 50 mg/kg for tea could be derived. However, a risk manager decision is required whether the setting of a MRL of 50 mg/kg for tea is acceptable since the MRL reported to be into force in India is 10 mg/kg. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of propargite on the commodities under consideration. Since the enforcement method of analysis is not enantioselective, residues are determined as the sum of any possible isomer ratio of the active substance propargite. EFSA concluded that the use of propargite on oranges and tea as reported in the countries of origin will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk. However, it should be noted that the risk assessment is affected by uncertainties linked to the toxicological profile and the reliability of results for some of the metabolites included in the residue definition and it is applicable to the technical propargite with the isomer ratio 99:1 under assessment.

Modification of the existing maximum residue level for metazachlor in Chinese cabbage

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS), France, received an application from BASF SE to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance metazachlor in Chinese cabbage. To accommodate for the intended use of metazachlor, France proposed to raise the existing MRL from the value of 0.2 mg/kg to 0.6 mg/kg. France 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 0.6 mg/kg for the proposed use on Chinese cabbage. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of metazachlor on the commodity under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed use of metazachlor on Chinese cabbage will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.

Modification of the existing maximum residue level for deltamethrin in kale

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) submitted a request to the competent authority in the United Kingdom (evaluating Member State (EMS)) to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance deltamethrin in kale. To accommodate for the intended use of deltamethrin, it was considered necessary to raise the existing MRL. Based on the evaluation report prepared by the EMS in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA concludes that the applicant provided sufficient data to derive an MRL proposal of 0.15 mg/kg for the proposed uses in kale. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control compliance with the proposed MRL for deltamethrin in kale. In a tentative risk assessment, no consumer concern has been identified; however, the risk assessment was affected by non-standard uncertainties. Further risk management considerations are required to decide whether the MRL proposal is acceptable.

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

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member States (EMS), the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, received an application from BASF SE to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance fluxapyroxad in several crops in order to accommodate for proposed new uses in Europe and for the import of crops. According to EFSA, the data are sufficient to derive MRL proposals for all the crops assessed, except for citrus fruits other than oranges and grapefruits. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of fluxapyroxad on the commodities under consideration, but additional validation data on herbal infusion and spices would be desirable. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the proposed uses on various crops of fluxapyroxad and the use authorised in Brazil on oranges and grapefruits for which import of crops has been requested, will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.

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

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Dow AgroSciences Ltd submitted a request to the competent national authority in France and the Netherlands to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRL) for the active substance spinetoram in several crops. The data submitted in support of the requests were found to be sufficient for making several MRL proposals for the crops under consideration. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of spinetoram on the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that a risk from short‐term intake cannot be excluded for escaroles. Therefore, no MRL has been proposed for this use. Furthermore, in a screening step, risk to consumers has been identified for the current use of spinetoram in lettuce. EFSA therefore proposes to lower the current MRL for lettuce to a safe limit. For the remaining crops, the expected short‐term exposure is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. The long‐term intake of residues resulting from the uses of spinetoram according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to public health.

Setting of an import tolerance for 2,4-D in maize

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS) Greece received an application from Dow AgroSciences to set an import tolerance for the active substance 2,4-D in genetically modified (GM) maize imported from Canada and the USA. The modification confers tolerance to the herbicide 2,4-D. Greece 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 submitted are sufficient to conclude that a change of the existing maximum residue level (MRL) set at the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 mg/kg in maize is not required. Analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of 2,4-D in cereals and no risk for consumers was identified for the notified use on GM maize expressing the aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase 1 (AAD-1) protein imported from Canada and the USA.

Modification of the existing maximum residue level for metaldehyde in leek

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS), Austria, received an application from De Sangosse SAS to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance metaldehyde in leek. To accommodate for the intended use of metaldehyde, Austria proposed to raise the existing MRL from the value of 0.5 mg/kg to 1.5 mg/kg. Austria 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 1.5 mg/kg for the proposed use on leek. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of metaldehyde on the commodity under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed use of metaldehyde on leek will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.

Modification of the existing maximum residue level for tolclofos-methyl in potatoes

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe S.A.S submitted a request to the competent national authority of Finland to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance tolclofos-methyl in potatoes. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive an MRL proposal of 0.2 mg/kg. An amendment of the existing MRLs for food of animal origin was not found necessary. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of tolclofos-methyl in potatoes. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the proposed use of tolclofos-methyl on potatoes will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.

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

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, BASF Agro SAS submitted an application to the competent national authority in France to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance pyraclostrobin in celeriacs, spinaches, chards/beet leaves, witloofs, beans and peas with pods, peas without pods, celeries, fennels and leeks. On the basis of the French evaluation report, EFSA concluded that the data are sufficient to derive MRL proposals for all the crops under consideration. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of pyraclostrobin in the commodities under consideration. EFSA performed a risk assessment in which potential acute consumer health risks for the intended use on celeries and fennels in Northern EU were identified. The intended uses of pyraclostrobin on the crops under consideration, including the Southern EU uses in celeries and fennels, will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore are unlikely to pose a public health risk. For leeks, a refined acute risk assessment was proposed by the French authority, using a processing factor. Since the available data do not provide sufficient evidence that the short‐term exposure is below the acute reference dose, EFSA does not propose to raise the existing MRL.

Setting of maximum residue levels for spirotetramat in pomegranates and various vegetables

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Bayer SAS CropScience submitted an application to the competent national authority in Austria to modify the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance spirotetramat in pomegranates and various vegetables. On the basis of the Austrian evaluation report, EFSA concluded that for chicory roots and the crops belonging to the group of other root and tuber vegetables (except sugar beets) the data submitted in support of the MRL application are compliant with the data requirements; for pomegranate, a data gap was identified as regards the storage stability of residue trials. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of spirotetramat in the plant matrices under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the proposed uses of spirotetramat 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.

Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for deltamethrin in celery, Florence fennel and rhubarb

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant AHDB Horticulture submitted a request to the competent authority in the United Kingdom (evaluating Member State) to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance deltamethrin in celery, Florence fennel and rhubarb. To accommodate for the intended uses of deltamethrin in these crops, it was considered necessary to raise existing MRLs. Based on the evaluation report prepared by the EMS in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA concludes that the applicant provided sufficient data to derive MRL proposals of 0.3 mg/kg for the proposed uses in celeries, Florence fennels and rhubarbs. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control compliance with the proposed MRLs for deltamethrin in the commodities under consideration. Taking into account the available information, EFSA concludes that residues of deltamethrin at the level expected following the treatment according to the envisaged agricultural practices will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.