Setting of an import tolerance for potassium phosphonates in blueberries

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Exponent International Ltd. (on behalf of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC)) submitted a request to the competent national authority in France to set an import tolerance for the active substance potassium phosphonates in blueberries. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive a maximum residue level (MRL) proposal for blueberries. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of phosphonic acid on the commodity under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short-term and long-term intake of residues resulting from the use of potassium phosphonates according to the reported agricultural practice is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. The consumer risk assessment shall be regarded as indicative and a refined intake assessment will be performed in the framework of the joint review of MRLs for fosetyl and phosphonates.