Modification of the existing maximum residue level for thiacloprid in honey

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EFSA Panel on EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR)

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the evaluating Member State (EMS), Germany, compiled an application to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance thiacloprid in honey. Germany proposed to raise the existing MRL from the limit of quantification of 0.05 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg. No guidance document for the setting of MRL in honey is currently available at EU level and therefore, in addition to the EMS evaluation, EFSA proposed additional alternative MRL values based on monitoring data. An MRL proposal of 0.2 mg/kg was derived from field trials where honey was collected in hives positioned close to rapeseed plots treated with thiacloprid. In addition MRLs of 0.15 and 0.2 mg/kg were derived considering data from national monitoring programs and the approaches recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). EFSA proposes to risk managers to decide which approach should be taken into account for the setting of an MRL in honey. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of thiacloprid in honey. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concludes that the proposed MRLs of 0.15 or 0.2 mg/kg in honey will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a consumer health risk.