In accordance with Directive 91/414/EEC, authorisations of plant protection products for use on specific crops are the responsibility of the Member States. Such authorisations are required to be based on the evaluation of effects on human and animal health and influence on the environment. Elements to be taken into account in such evaluations include operator and bystander exposure and impact on the terrestrial, aquatic and aerial environments, as well as impact on humans and animals through consumption of residues on treated crops.

Maximum residue levels (MRLs) reflect the use of minimum quantities of pesticides to achieve effective protection of plants, applied in such a manner that the amount of residue is the smallest practicable and is toxicologically acceptable, in particular in terms of estimated dietary intake.

MRLs for pesticides should be kept under review. They may be changed to take account of new uses, new information and data.

MRLs are fixed at the lower limit of analytical determination where authorised uses of plant protection products do not result in detectable levels of pesticide residue in or on the food product, or where there are no authorised uses, or where uses which have been authorised by Member States have not been supported by the necessary data, or where uses in third countries resulting in residues in or on food products which may enter into circulation in the Community market have not been supported with such necessary data.

In the case of lambda-cyhalothrin, methomyl and pymetrozine, for which an acute reference (ARfD) dose exists, the acute exposure of consumers via each of the food products that may contain residues of these pesticides has been assessed and evaluated in accordance with the procedures and practices currently used within the European Community, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organisation. The opinions of the Scientific Committee for Plants, in particular advice and recommendations concerning the protection of consumers of food products treated with pesticides, have been taken into account. The intake assessment of lambda-cyhalothrin, methomyl and pymetrozine shows, that by setting the MRLs concerned, ARfD will not be exceeded. In the case of ethofumesate and thiabendazol, an assessment of the available information has shown that no ARfD is required and that therefore a short-term assessment is not needed.

Therefore it is appropriate to fix new maximum levels for residues of those pesticides.

In the light of technological and scientific developments, it may be appropriate to set specific MRLs for products which are relatively new in the Community, such as ‘Papaya’ and ‘Cassava.’ The list of examples within the groups specified in Annex I to Directive 90/642/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

The setting or modification at Community level of provisional MRLs does not prevent the Member States from establishing provisional MRLs for ethofumesate in accordance with Article 4(1)(f) of Directive 91/414/EEC and Annex VI thereto. It is considered that a period of four years is sufficient to permit further uses of the active substance concerned. The provisional MRL should then become definitive.

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,