Reasoned opinion on the setting of new MRLs for azinphos-methyl in apples and pears

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Germany, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from Exponent International Ltd., on behalf of Makhteshim Chemical Works Ltd., to set an import tolerance for the active substance azinphos-methyl in apples and pears. To accommodate for the reported use in Argentina, Germany proposed to raise the existing MRLs from the limit of quantification of 0.05 mg/kg to 0.5 mg/kg. Germany 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. According to EFSA the available supervised residue trials on apples and pears are not adequate to derive a MRL proposal since they do not reflect the critical GAP reported for Argentina and because of other deficiencies. In conclusion, EFSA does not recommend the setting of the import tolerances to accommodate for the reported use of azinphos-methyl in apples and pears in Argentina.