Efficacy of the feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensisNRRL B-67259 (Correlink™ ABS1781) as a feed additive for all growing poultry species (Elanco GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of a product consisting of spores of Bacillus velezensis NRRL B-67257 as a zootechnical additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and minor poultry species. The additive has the tradename Correlink™ ABS1781 Bacillus subtilis and is not currently authorised in the EU. It is intended for use in complete feed for the target species at a minimum inclusion level of 1.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg complete feed. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive for the poultry species due to the potential cross-contamination of the control diets in two of the three studies provided. The applicant has provided supplementary information to exclude this possibility. The new data showed that the gene used as marker in the previous analyses is non-specific of the NRRL B-67259 strain, which precluded the adequate quantification of the active agent in the feeds used in the studies. Moreover, in a second analysis, the active agent could not be isolated from the field excreta samples collected from either the treated or the control group in the two formerly submitted efficacy studies. The Panel concluded that the methodology was not able to discriminate between the strain under assessment and the background. Additionally, two new efficacy trials with chickens for fattening were provided to support the efficacy of the additive. However, none could be further considered since the husbandry conditions in which the birds were kept were non-compliant with Directive 2007/43/EC. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of Correlink™ ABS1781 for all growing poultry species.

Safety and efficacy of Correlink™ ABS1781 Bacillus subtilis (Bacillus velezensisNRRL B-67259) as a feed additive for all growing poultry species

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 safety and efficacy of Correlink™ ABS1781 Bacillus subtilis (hereafter designated as Correlink™ ABS1781) when used as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys reared for breeding and minor growing poultry species. The product under assessment is based on viable spores of a strain originally identified as Bacillus subtilis, which in the course of the current assessment, was reclassified as Bacillus velezensisNRRL B‐67259. The bacterial species 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 it does not harbour acquired antimicrobial resistance genes, lacks toxigenic potential and does not have the capacity to produce aminoglycosides. Following the QPS approach to safety assessment, B. velezensisNRRL B‐67259 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, Correlink™ ABS1781 is also considered safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. Correlink™ ABS1781 is not irritant to skin and eyes or a skin sensitiser but is a respiratory sensitiser. The Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of Correlink™ ABS1781 for the target species due to lack of data.