Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for tetraconazole in kaki/Japanese persimmon, linseeds and poppy seeds

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Isagro S.p.A submitted a request to the competent national authority in Italy to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance tetraconazole in various crops and animal commodities. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for tetraconazole in kaki/Japanese persimmon, linseeds and poppy seeds. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control MRL compliance for parent compound tetraconazole on the commodities under consideration and in animal products. The proposed use of tetraconazole on crops under assessment will not result in a dietary exposure to residues of parent tetraconazole exceeding the toxicological reference values for tetraconazole. For triazole derivative metabolites (TDMs), only an indicative exposure assessment was performed considering only the crops under assessment; the results showed that the expected exposure to TDMs in the three assessed commodities is well below the toxicological reference values derived for the TDMs. The proposed use of tetraconazole on crops under assessment is therefore unlikely to pose a risk to consumers’ health. TDMs may be generated by several pesticides belonging to the group of triazole fungicides, a comprehensive risk assessment has thus to be performed that covers all existing EU uses and import tolerances for all pesticides belonging to the class of triazole fungicides. EFSA recommended to elaborate together with risk managers a strategy to ensure that the required data are made available to finalise the overall risk assessment for triazole fungicides.