Reasoned opinion on the setting of a new maximum residue level for atrazine in cereals

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the European Commission (EC) requested EFSA to provide a scientific opinion on atrazine in cereals and the appropriateness to maintain the current temporary maximum residue level (MRL) of 0.1 mg/kg considering the import tolerance request from Argentina. Based on the data submitted by Argentina, EFSA concluded that an MRL at the level of 0.05 mg/kg for atrazine in maize is more appropriate than 0.1 mg/kg. Moreover, EFSA recommends setting the MRLs for all cereals at 0.05 mg/kg, a level equivalent to the LOQ for atrazine in plant commodities that can be achieved with analytical methods used for enforcement purposes. The proposed MRLs do not pose a consumer health risk for the European consumers.