Reasoned opinion on the review of the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for methyl bromide according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005

According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reviewed the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance methyl bromide. Although this active substance is no longer authorised within the European Union, guideline levels for methyl bromide (at point of retail sale or when offered for consumption) and MRLs for bromide ion, which is a relevant metabolite of methyl bromide, were established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CXLs). Regarding methyl bromide, the default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg as defined by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 is compliant with the Codex guideline levels and provides a satisfactory level of protection for the European consumer but it could not be demonstrated that the default MRL can be achieved in routine enforcement. Moreover, based on the assessment of the available data, some CXLs were found not to be adequately supported by data and the consumer risk assessment could not be finalised, as the toxicological reference values of bromide ion need to be revised and only few information on the natural occurrence of bromide ion in food was available to EFSA. Hence, further consideration by risk managers is needed.