Reasoned opinion on the modification of MRLs for etoxazole in cherry, plum and banana

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Spain, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from Kenogard S.A./SP to modify the existing MRLs for the active substance etoxazole in cherry, plum and banana. In order to accommodate the intended uses of etoxazole in southern EU, Spain proposed to raise the existing MRLs from the limit of quantification of 0.02* mg/kg to 0.3 mg/kg on cherry, 0.04 mg/kg on plum and 0.2 mg/kg on banana. Spain 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 derive MRLs as proposed by Spain (0.3 mg/kg for cherry, 0.04 mg/kg for plum and 0.2 mg/kg for banana) in order to accommodate the uses of etoxazole in southern EU. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of etoxazole on the commodities under consideration at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg. However it should be highlighted that samples have to be analysed within a storage period no longer than 6 months, as etoxazole residues were shown not to be stable beyond that time limit when stored frozen at -18°C. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed use of etoxazole on cherry, plum and banana will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk