Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for etridiazole in various crops.

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS), the Netherlands, received an application from Arysta LifeScience Great Britain Limited to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance etridiazole in various crops. To accommodate for the intended uses of etridiazole, the Netherlands proposed to raise the existing MRLs from the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05* mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg in gherkin, courgette and other cucurbits with edible peel, and to raise the existing MRL value of 0.1 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg in cucumber. The Netherlands 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. Although the intended uses on gherkin, courgette and other cucurbits with edible peel are supported by residue trials, EFSA did not derive MRL proposals because appropriate information on the toxicological profile and on the relevance of the major plant metabolites 5-hydroxyethoxyetridiazole acid and 3-hydroxymethyletridiazole has not been provided. Thus, the tentative risk assessment is affected by a high degree of uncertainty.