Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for bupirimate in several crops

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Netherlands, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from Makhteshim-Agan Holland B.V. to modify the existing MRLs for the active substance bupirimate in apricots, peaches, strawberries, grapes, blackberries, dewberries, cucurbits, herbs and globe artichokes. In order to accommodate for the intended uses, The Netherlands proposed to raise the existing MRLs for bupirimate and for its metabolite ethirimol. The EMS 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 provisionally derive MRL proposals for bupirimate of 0.3 mg/kg for peaches, apricots and cucurbits with inedible peel, 1.5 mg/kg for grapes and cane fruit, 2 mg/kg for strawberries, 3 mg/kg for courgettes. No change to the existing MRL for cucumbers is necessary. To cover the uses of bupirimate, an amendment of the MRLs for ethirimol is necessary for cane fruits and cucurbits with inedible peel only, to 0.1 and 0.08 mg/kg respectively. No MRLs are proposed for fresh herbs and globe artichokes. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of bupirimate and ethirimol in the commodities under consideration. Based on the preliminary risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed uses of bupirimate on apricots, peaches, grapes, strawberries, cane fruits, courgettes, cucumbers and cucurbits with inedible peel will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore are unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.