Reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for metaldehyde in certain legume vegetables and pulses

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Austria, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), received an application from Feinchemie Schwebda GmbH on behalf of KOLLANT S.r.l, Italy to modify the existing MRLs for the active substance metaldehyde in legume vegetables (beans and peas (with and without pods)) and in pulses (beans and peas (dry)). In order to accommodate for the intended uses of metaldehyde, Austria proposed to raise the existing MRLs from the limit of quantification to 0.5 mg/kg for beans and peas with pods, to 0.3 mg/kg for beans and peas without pods and to 0.2 mg/kg for beans and peas, dry. Austria 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 data are sufficient to derive MRL proposals of 0.3 mg/kg for the proposed uses on beans and peas with pods, of 0.2 mg/kg for the proposed uses on beans and peas without pods and of 0.15 mg/kg for the proposed uses on beans and peas, dry. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of metaldehyde in dry matrices and in high water content matrices commodities. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed use of metaldehyde on beans and peas will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.