Statement on the modification of the existing MRLs for spinetoram in cherries, raspberries and blueberries

In accordance with Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, France has granted an authorisation for spinetoram on cherries, raspberries and blueberries. In order to accommodate for the emergency use of spinetoram, France proposed to raise the existing MRLs for these crops from the limit of quantification (0.05 mg/kg) to 0.2 mg/kg for cherries and blueberries and 0.8 mg/kg for raspberries. In accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, France submitted to the European Commission an evaluation report summarising the background information, without reporting details on the residue trials supporting the MRL request. France also performed a consumer risk assessment demonstrating that these proposed temporary MRLs are safe. On 14 May 2012 the evaluation report was forwarded to EFSA. The EFSA concludes that the emergency use of spinetoram on cherries, raspberries and blueberries is not likely to result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore is not expected to pose a public health concern. In order to verify assumptions on which the EFSA statement is based, France should update the evaluation report as soon as possible providing detailed information on the supervised field trials on the crops under consideration.