Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRL for fipronil in poultry fat

In accordance with Article 18(4) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 the request from Germany to raise the maximum residue level (MRLs) for fipronil in poultry fat resulting from an emergency authorisation of fipronil on potatoes in accordance with Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 was submitted to the European Commission who forwarded the request, the evaluation report and the supporting dossier to EFSA. According to EFSA the use on potatoes is sufficiently supported by residue data to derive an MRL proposal of 0.01 mg/kg. From the livestock feeding studies it becomes evident that the use of fipronil on potatoes requires not only the amendment of the existing MRLs for poultry fat but also for ruminant meat, ruminant fat, ruminant liver, pig meat, pig liver, pig kidney, poultry meat and for milk. The results of the risk assessment show that the dietary exposure of consumers might exceed the toxicological reference value for long-term exposure (ADI). Thus, EFSA concludes that for the use of fipronil on potatoes, which requires the amendment of MRLs for food of animal origin, a potential long-term consumer health risk cannot be excluded, resulting from the residues in animal commodities. Further refinements of the chronic consumer risk assessment or application of risk management options to ensure that the consumer exposure is acceptable are proposed.