Modification of the existing MRL for fluopicolide in blackberries, spinaches and purslanes

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EFSA Panel on EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR)

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, two evaluating Member States (EMS), Germany and Belgium, sent an application to modify the maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance fluopicolide in blackberries, spinaches and purslanes. In order to accommodate for the intended use of fluopicolide, the EMS proposed to raise the existing MRLs from the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg for blackberries and from 4 mg/kg to 6 mg/kg for spinaches and purslanes. Germany and Belgium drafted the 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 MRL proposals of 3 mg/kg for the proposed use on blackberries and 6 mg/kg on spinaches and purslanes. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of fluopicolide in blackberries at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed use of fluopicolide on blackberries, spinaches and purslanes will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.