Safety and efficacy of Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis DSM 15544) for all poultry species

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544 (Calsporin®) for dairy cows and other dairy ruminants (Asahi Biocycle Co. Ltd.)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of Calsporin^® (Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544) as a zootechnical additive for dairy cows and other dairy ruminants. The product under assessment is based on viable spores of Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544. B. velezensis is considered suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. The identity of the active agent was established and compliance with the applicable qualifications confirmed. Therefore, B. velezensis DSM 15544 is presumed safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. Since no concerns are expected from the other components of the additive, Calsporin^® is also considered safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. The additive is not a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitiser but should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of Calsporin^® for dairy cows or other dairy ruminants based on the data provided.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensisDSM 15544 (Calsporin®) for piglets (suckling and weaned), pigs for fattening, sows in order to have benefit in piglets, ornamental fish, dogs and all avian species (Asahi Biocycle Co.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544 (Calsporin®) when used as a feed additive for piglets (suckling and weaned), pigs for fattening, sows in order to have benefit in piglets, ornamental fish, dogs and all avian species. The additive is authorised for use in sows, suckling and weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, chickens for fattening, laying hens, ornamental fish and dogs. With this application the company requested a new authorisation for all avian species and the modification of the current authorisations as regards the strain taxonomy from Bacillus subtilis DSM 15544 to B. velezensis DSM 15544. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the active agent of Calsporin® should be taxonomically designated as Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544. The Panel also concluded that Calsporin® is presumed safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Calsporin® is not a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitiser but should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. Calsporin® when supplemented at 3 × 108 CFU/kg complete feed has the potential to be efficacious in all avian species for rearing, fattening, laying and breeding purposes.

Assessment of the application for renewal of the authorisation of Calsporin® (Bacillus velezensisDSM 15544) as a feed additive for weaned piglets

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of Calsporin^® (Bacillus velezensisDSM 15544) as a zootechnical additive for weaned piglets. The product under assessment is based on viable spores of a strain originally identified as Bacillus subtilis. During the course of the current assessment, the active agent has been reclassified as Bacillus velezensisDSM 15544. B. velezensis is considered suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. The identity of the active agent was established and the compliance with the other qualifications confirmed. Therefore, B. velezensisDSM 15544 is presumed safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. Since no concerns are expected from the other components of the additive, Calsporin^® is also considered safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. The additive is not a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitiser but should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The present application for renewal of the authorisation did not include a proposal for amending or supplementing the conditions of the original authorisation that would have an impact on the efficacy of the additive. Therefore, there was no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.