Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for dimethoate in olives for oil production and table olives

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Greece, herewith referred as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from Cheminova A/S, on behalf of the Dimethoate Task Force, to modify the existing MRLs for the active substance dimethoate in olives for oil production and table olives. In order to accommodate for the intended use of dimethoate, Greece proposed to raise the existing MRLs in olives from the value of 2 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg. Greece drafted an evaluation report according to Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, which was submitted to the European Commission and forwarded to EFSA. According to EFSA the data are sufficient to derive a MRL of 4 mg/kg on table olives and olives for oil production for the intended foliar use of dimethoate in Southern Europe according to the enforcement residue definition as sum of dimethoate and omethoate, expressed as dimethoate. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of dimethoate and omethoate in olives at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg for each analyte. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed use of dimethoate on olive trees for oil production and table olives will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values. However, the risk assessment in the framework of this opinion should be considered as provisional and may underestimate the actual consumer risk. The final evaluation of the toxicological relevance of metabolites III, XII and XX is still to be provided. To perform a more accurate calculation, the confirmation of the supported authorised use pattern and the results from residue trials conducted according to the final agreed residue definition for risk assessment are needed.