Setting of maximum residue levels for amitraz, coumaphos, flumequine, oxytetracycline, permethrin and streptomycin in certain products of animal origin

Amitraz, coumaphos, flumequine, oxytetracycline, permethrin and streptomycin are substances used in veterinary medicinal products; in the past they were also used in the EU as active ingredients in plant protection products. Legal limits for residues in food resulting from the different types of uses are established in the pesticide legislation (Regulation (EC) No 396/2005) and under the legislation related to veterinary medicinal products (Regulation (EU) No 37/2010). The European Commission planned to align the pesticide legislation on MRLs with the veterinary MRLs. EFSA was requested to provide an opinion on potential consumer health risks related to the planned MRL harmonisation. Based on the risk assessment performed, EFSA concluded that for amitraz, permethrin, flumequine and streptomycin the expected consumer exposure via residues in food of animal origin will not exceed the toxicological reference values and therefore the MRLs set under Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 are unlikely to pose an unacceptable risk to consumers. As regards coumaphos, risk managers should consider additional risk management measures to ensure that the existing MRLs are sufficiently protective for consumers. EFSA did not recommend MRL proposals for oxytetracycline since a consumer health concern could not be excluded based on the information available for this assessment.