BAKGRUNN (fra kommisjonsforodningen)

(1) For the active substance acetamiprid, maximum residue levels (‘MRLs’) were set in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. 

(2) The Commission requested the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) to provide a statement on the toxicological properties and MRLs of acetamiprid and its metabolites, in line with Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council. 

(3) In its statement, the Authority established a lower acceptable daily intake (‘ADI’) and a lower acute reference dose (‘ARfD’) for acetamiprid and included the metabolite IM-2-1 in the residue definition for the risk assessment of acetamiprid in fruit and leafy crops. 

(4) The Authority identified an exceedance of the ARfD with the MRLs for currants, bananas, lettuces, escaroles/ broad-leaved endives, spinaches, and chards/beet leaves. The Authority consulted the Member States and requested them to report potential fall-back Good Agricultural Practices (‘GAPs’) authorised in Member States or third countries and already evaluated at Member State level that would not lead to an unacceptable risk for consumers. There were no fall-back GAPs reported. It is therefore appropriate to lower the MRLs for these commodities in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to the relevant limit of determination (‘LOD’).

(5) The Authority further identified an exceedance of the ARfD with the MRLs for medlars, cherries, peaches, table and wine grapes, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, gooseberries, elderberries, table olives, tomatoes, aubergines, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, broccoli, cauliflowers, head cabbages, lamb's lettuce, roman rocket, red mustards, asparagus, bovine liver, and bovine other edible offals. The Authority consulted the Member States and requested them to report potential fall-back GAPs authorised in Member States or third countries and already evaluated at Member State level that would not lead to an unacceptable risk for consumers. Fallback GAPs that do not lead to exceedances of the ARfD were reported for these commodities. It is therefore appropriate to lower the MRLs for these commodities in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to the values proposed by the Authority. 

(6) The Authority also identified an exceedance of the ARfD with the MRLs for apples, pears, quinces, apricots, sweet peppers, cucumbers and courgettes. The Authority consulted the Member States and requested them to report potential fall-back GAPs authorised in Member States or third countries and already evaluated at Member State level that would not lead to an unacceptable risk for consumers. Fall-back GAPs that do not lead to exceedances of the ARfD, were reported for these commodities. However, as some information was not available, further consideration by risk managers was required. Therefore, while the MRLs for these commodities are considered safe, they will be reviewed. The review will take into account the information available within two years from the publication of this Regulation. As there is no risk for consumers, it is appropriate to lower the MRLs for these commodities in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to the values proposed by the Authority. 

(7) Through the World Trade Organisation, the trading partners of the Union were consulted on the new MRLs and their comments have been taken into account. 

(8) Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 should therefore be amended accordingly. 

(9) A reasonable period should be allowed to elapse before the new MRLs become applicable in order to permit Member States, third countries and food business operators to adapt themselves to the requirements which result from the modification of the MRLs. 

(10) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,