Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for difenoconazole in lettuce and other salad plants including Brassicaceae and in basil (mint)

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 the Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen plant protection service to modify the existing maximum residue limits (MRLs)for the active substance difenoconazole in lettuce and other salad plants including Brassicaceae. Furthermore, Belgium, referred also to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from the Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and Environment to modify the existing MRL for the active substance difenoconazole in basil (mint). According to EFSA the data are sufficient to derive MRL proposals of 0.7 mg/kg for the proposed uses on lettuce and scarole, 7 mg/kg on lamb's lettuce, 1.5 mg/kg on rucola/rocket and 15 mg/kg on basil (mint). Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of difenoconazole in the commodities under consideration. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed uses of difenoconazole on lettuce, scarole, lamb's lettuce, rucola and mint will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.