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In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicants De Sangosse SAS and Tilco‐Alginure submitted two requests, respectively, to the competent national authorities in France and Germany to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance potassium phosphonates in various plant commodities. The data submitted in support of the requests were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for the commodities under assessment. For the derived MRL on baby leaf crops, further risk manager consideration is required to decide between two MRL options. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of potassium phosphonates in accordance with the residue definition 'phosphonic acid and its salts expressed as phosphonic acid' in the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results and assuming that the existing MRLs will be amended as proposed by EFSA in previous outputs, EFSA concluded that the long‐term intake of residues resulting from the existing uses of fosetyl and phosphonates (previously assessed in a joint MRL review) and new proposed uses of potassium phosphonates is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. Considering the toxicological profile of the active substance, a short‐term dietary risk assessment was not required. The risk assessment shall be regarded as indicative because some MRL proposals derived by EFSA in the framework of the MRL review according to Articles 12 and 43 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 require further consideration by risk managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance gamma‐cyhalothrin. To assess the occurrence of gamma‐cyhalothrin residues in plants, processed commodities, rotational crops and livestock, EFSA considered the conclusions derived in the framework of Commission Regulation (EU) No 188/2011, as well as the European authorisations reported by Member States (including the supporting residues data) in the framework of this review. Based on the assessment of the available data, MRL proposals were derived, and a consumer risk assessment was carried out. Although no risk to consumers was identified, some information required by the regulatory framework was missing. The residue definition for monitoring (lambda‐cyhalothrin (includes gamma‐cyhalothrin) (sum of R, S and S, R isomers)) covers both lambda‐ and gamma‐cyhalothrin. Appropriate enantioselective techniques, which are not commonly used in routine analysis, are required to differentiate gamma‐cyhalothrin residues from lambda‐cyhalothrin. According to the available data, it is expected that the MRLs currently set in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 will cover the uses of gamma‐cyhalothrin assessed in the present review. Therefore, risk managers can consider maintaining the existing EU MRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant Corteva Agriscience submitted a request to the competent national authority in Austria to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for myclobutanil in the framework of the MRL review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. To address the data gap related to the lack of information on the triazole derivative metabolites (TDMs), new residue trials analysing for TDMs were submitted on apples, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes and melons. Following the assessment of the submitted data, EFSA concluded that Article 12 confirmatory data gaps are considered addressed for pome fruits, grapes, cucurbits with inedible peel, strawberries and tomatoes. The new information provided required the assessment of consumer exposure to TDMs, which identified no consumer intake concerns for the crops under consideration. No information was provided to address the Article 12 confirmatory data referred to in Regulation (EU) 2020/770 for blackberries, gooseberries, bananas, aubergines/eggplants, lamb's lettuces/corn salads, beans (with pods), globe artichokes, hops, sugar beet roots and products of animal origin. For these commodities, the existing EU MRL could be lowered to the enforcement limit of quantification (LOQ). For kaki/Japanese persimmon and azararoles/mediterranean medlars, the existing EU MRL is set on the basis of Codex MRL in pome fruits. The applicant did not request maintaining a Codex MRL in these commodities, but should risk managers decide otherwise, the Article 12 data gap is considered addressed for kaki/Japanese persimmon while for azaroles/Mediterranean medlars, a risk management decision might be required. No consumer intake concerns were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant BASF SE submitted two requests to the competent national authority in Spain and Ireland to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance fluxapyroxad in kaki/Japanese persimmons and in cultivated fungi, respectively. The data submitted in support of the requests were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for kaki/Japanese persimmons and cultivated fungi. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of fluxapyroxad on the commodities under consideration at the validated 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 fluxapyroxad, according to the reported agricultural practices, is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. The long‐term consumer risk assessment is indicative, pending the submission of the confirmatory data requested under the MRL review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant Arysta Life Science Great Britain Limited submitted a request to the competent national authority in Croatia to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. Since Article 12 data gaps were also set for the two other quizalofop‐P variants sharing the same residue definitions for risk assessment and monitoring, EFSA included in the present assessment all quizalofop‐P variants: quizalofop‐P‐ethyl, quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl and propaquizafop. Moreover, in the application submitted to Croatia, the applicant also included a request to modify the existing MRLs for quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl in grapes, sunflower seeds and soyabeans in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. To address the data gaps, new data on hydrolysis efficiency of quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl, quizalofop acid, quizalofop‐pentanoic acid and quizalofop‐P‐glycerate in different matrices of animal origin in accordance with the guidance document SANTE/2020/12830 Rev.1 were submitted, along with a validated analytical method for animal commodities. EFSA concluded that the data gap on validation of the efficiency of the extraction and hydrolysis included in the enforcement method of residues in livestock animal commodities was only fully addressed for muscle, poultry liver and eggs. Regarding plant commodities, the remaining data gaps were not addressed. EFSA also considered data gaps for quizalofop‐p‐ethyl in caraway as sufficiently addressed in the context of a previous MRL application. In general, the new information provided required a revision of the existing MRLs for several commodities of plant and animal origin. Further risk management considerations are required. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of quizalofop‐P‐tefuryl 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 ISK Biosciences Europe N.V. submitted two requests to the competent national authority in Finland and Belgium, respectively, to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance flonicamid in potatoes and in various crops. The data submitted in support of the requests were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for potatoes, lettuces and salad plants, spinaches and similar leaves, beans (without pods), cardoons, celeries, Florence fennels and rhubarbs. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues according to the residue definition as of the sum of flonicamid, TFNA and TFNG, expressed as flonicamid in the plant matrices under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg for each compound. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the uses of flonicamid 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 Corteva Agriscience International Sàrl submitted a request to the competent national authority in Finland to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance clopyralid in honey. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for honey. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of clopyralid (including potential conjugates) in honey at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.001 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of clopyralid residues in honey, resulting from the authorised use of clopyralid on oilseed rape notified in the present MRL assessment, 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 Finland to modify the temporary maximum residue level (MRL) to a permanent MRL for the active substance mepiquat in cultivated fungi (with a specific MRL for oyster mushrooms). The data submitted in support of the request (monitoring data from food business operators) are not sufficient to derive permanent MRL proposals. The assessment of these data, complemented by an analysis of the most recent monitoring data available from EU monitoring programmes, supports the conclusion that the existing t‐MRL for cultivated fungi is still sufficient to account for the residue uptake in cultivated mushrooms other than oyster mushrooms. It was also noted that lower t‐MRLs could be derived based on the assessment of the most recent monitoring data. A risk management decision is still needed on whether to maintain the existing t‐MRL value. Regarding oyster mushrooms, EFSA derived different options for risk managers to eventually update the values of the temporary MRLs based on the most recent monitoring data from food business operators. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of mepiquat (expressed as mepiquat chloride) 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 cross‐contamination of untreated cultivated fungi (including oyster mushrooms) from cereal straw lawfully treated with mepiquat according to the current agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicant Detia Freyberg GmbH submitted to the competent national authority in Germany two requests to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for tree nuts, oilseeds, cereals and commodities of animal origin in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available and two requests in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to increase the existing MRL for the active substance aluminium phosphide in peanuts, barley, oat, rye, rice and wheat, roots of herbal infusions, cocoa beans and seed spices and for the active substance magnesium phosphide in oilseeds (except peanuts) and pistachios. The four applications were combined by EFSA under the current assessment. To address the data gaps, validation data for the method of analysis for enforcement of phosphide in high‐oil content commodities and new residue trials were submitted. The data gaps on additional residue trials supporting authorisations on oilseeds and cereal grains, on clarifications regarding the discrepancies observed in the residue trial results for pistachios, and on data confirming the negligible occurrence of phosphane and its oxidation products in livestock products were considered addressed. The data gap on independent laboratory validation (ILV) and a confirmatory method for monitoring of phosphide in high‐oil content commodities was considered not fully addressed. The information provided justified a lowering of the current tentative MRLs for the whole group of cereals (except rice and 'others'), an increase of the current tentative MRLs for pistachios, the whole group of oilseeds, rice and 'other' cereals, herbal infusions from roots, cocoa beans and seed spices, and a revision of the risk assessment performed for phosphane and its phosphide salts. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of AlP and Mg3P2 according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. Further risk management considerations are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food chain Safety and Environment submitted a request on behalf of Belgium (evaluating Member State, EMS) to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRL) in okra/lady's fingers and various leaf vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for all crops under assessment. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of sulfoxaflor in plant matrices 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 sulfoxaflor 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 Syngenta Crop Protection AG submitted a request to the competent national authority in Greece to set an import tolerance for the active substance lambda‐cyhalothrin in avocados. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive maximum residue level (MRL) proposals for avocados. Since the general data gap related to toxicity of degradation products formed under sterilisation conditions and identified in the framework of the MRL review has not yet been addressed, a risk management decision is required as to whether it is appropriate to take over the proposed MRLs in the MRL legislation. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of lambda‐cyhalothrin in the commodity 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 lambda‐cyhalothrin according to the reported agricultural practice is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. However, the consumer exposure calculation shall be considered provisional, pending the toxicological assessment of the compounds formed under sterilisation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In compliance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA received from the European Commission in 2020 a mandate to provide its reasoned opinion on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the benzimidazole substances carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl. Specifically, EFSA was asked to assess whether thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim has clastogenic potential and, in case clastogenic potential can be excluded, to derive toxicological reference values necessary for consumer risk assessment and assessment of maximum residue levels (MRLs). Although these active substances are no longer authorised within the European Union, MRLs were established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (codex maximum residue limits; CXLs), and import tolerances are in place. Based on the assessment of the available data, toxicological reference values and MRL proposals were derived and a consumer risk assessment was carried out. Some information required by the regulatory framework was found to be missing and a possible acute risk to consumers was identified. Hence, the consumer risk assessment was considered indicative only and all MRL proposals derived by EFSA still require further consideration by risk managers. In October 2022, to ensure that MRLs derived by EFSA in its assessment of 2021 are safe for consumers also in view of endocrine-disrupting properties, EFSA was requested to carry out a follow-up assessment taking into account the scientific criteria for identifying endocrine disruptors (ED). Based on the outcome of the assessment, the experts agreed that the reference values are also covering the concern related to the identified hazards indicative of endocrine disruption for thiophanate-methyl. No further considerations on the impact of the ED assessment on the current reference values were needed for carbendazim since the ED criteria are not met for this substance. Therefore, the risk assessment and the MRL recommendations derived in 2021 are confirmed., Competing Interests: If you wish to access the declaration of interests of any expert contributing to an EFSA scientific assessment, please contact interestmanagement@efsa.europa.eu., (© 2024 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)