Reasoned opinion on setting of an MRL for copper compounds in wild game

In accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, Germany, hereafter referred to as the evaluating Member State (EMS), compiled an application to set an MRL for copper compounds in wild game. Since the default MRL of 0.01 × mg/kg would not be sufficient to cover the natural background level of copper compounds in wild game, Germany proposed to set an MRL of 4 mg/kg. Germany 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 sufficient to derive an MRL proposal of 4 mg/kg for copper in order to cover the natural background levels of copper in wild game. Adequate analytical enforcement methods are available to control the residues of total copper on the wild game. Since the contribution of the proposed MRL to the total consumer exposure to copper is negligible (0.7 % of the ADI, IE adult), EFSA recommends the setting of an MRL of 4 mg/kg for copper compounds in wild game.