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

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS) Belgium received an application from BASF SE Crop Protection to set import tolerances for the active substance metconazole in blueberries, potatoes, tropical root and tuber vegetables, pulses and sunflower seeds imported from the United States of America and/or Canada. Belgium 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. The submitted trials are sufficient to derive MRL values of 0.5 mg/kg for blueberries, the limit of quantification of 0.04 mg/kg for potatoes and tropical root and tuber vegetables, 0.15 mg/kg for pulses and 1 mg/kg for sunflower seeds. However, since the MRL values on blueberries and sunflower seeds are currently set at a level of 0.4 mg/kg and 0.7 mg/kg, respectively, in North America, EFSA proposes to set the import tolerances at these levels for these two plant commodities. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of metconazole on the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the reported uses of metconazole on the crops under consideration will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values for the active substance, therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2016