Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for fenpyrazamine in almonds, grapes, apricots, peaches and strawberries

• Main Author: European Food Safety Authority
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2012-11-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: Fenpyrazamine; almonds; stone and berry fruits; MRL application; Regulation (EC) No 396/2005; consumer risk assessment; pyrizole; S-2188-DC.
• Online Access: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/2989.pdf

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Austria, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SAS to set import tolerances for the active substance fenpyrazamine in almonds, grapes and strawberries from the United States of America (USA). Austria received a second application from the above cited company to modify the existing MRLs for fenpyrazamine in peaches, including nectarines, apricots and strawberries reflecting the intended uses in the EU. Austria proposed the MRL of 3 mg/kg in strawberries, peaches and apricots, 0.01 mg/kg in almonds, which corresponds to the limit of quantification (LOQ), whereas no amendment of the existing MRL of 3 mg/kg for grapes was required. Austria drafted two separate evaluation reports in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, which were submitted to the European Commission and forwarded to EFSA. According to EFSA the data are sufficient to derive the following MRL proposal: 0.01*mg/kg for almonds, 3 mg/kg for strawberries and 4 mg/kg for peaches, including nectarines and similar hybrids. An amendment of the existing MRL on grapes is not necessary, while the data are not sufficient to propose a MRL for the intended uses on apricots. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of fenpyrazamine in the crops under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed uses of fenpyrazamine on almonds, grapes, peaches and strawberries will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.