Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Enterococcus lactisNCIMB 10415 (Cylactin®) for cats and dogs for the renewal of its authorisation (DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of the authorisation of Cylactin® as a zootechnical feed additive for cats and dogs. The active agent of the additive is Enterococcus lactis NCIMB 10415 and the micro-encapsulated formulation, Cylactin® LBC ME5 PET, was assessed. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The Panel concluded that the additive remains safe for cats and dogs. Regarding user safety, the additive was not shown to be skin and eye irritant, but it should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions can be drawn on the skin sensitisation. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Weizmannia faecalis DSM 32016 (TechnoSpore50®) for poultry for fattening, poultry reared for laying/breeding, ornamental birds and suckling and weaned Suidae piglets (Biochem Zusatzstoffe Handels- und Produktionsgesellschaft GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Weizmannia faecalis (formerly identified as Bacillus coagulans) DSM 32016 (TechnoSpore50®) as a zootechnical feed additive for poultry reared for breeding/laying/fattening, ornamental birds and suckling and weaned Suidae piglets. The additive is authorised for use in feed for poultry for fattening, ornamental birds and suckling and weaned Suidae piglets. This application sought the extension of use in feed for poultry reared for breeding/laying and the new authorisation in water for drinking for suckling and weaned Suidae piglets, poultry for fattening, reared for breeding/laying and ornamental birds. Moreover, the applicant requested the authorisation of simultaneous use in feed for poultry reared for breeding and laying with coccidiostats. The identity and the lack of toxigenic activity of the active agent was confirmed, and it did not show resistance to relevant antibiotics; therefore, the strain was presumed safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Since other components did not introduce concerns, TechnoSpore50® was also considered safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. The additive is not a skin/eye irritant but is a respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions could be drawn on the skin sensitisation potential of the additive. TechnoSpore50® was considered to be efficacious in feed for poultry reared for laying/breeding at 1 × 109 CFU/kg and in water for drinking for poultry reared for fattening, poultry reared for laying/breeding, ornamental birds and for suckling and weaned Suidae piglets at 5 × 108 CFU/L. TechnoSpore50® is compatible with halofuginone, diclazuril, monensin sodium, robenidine hydrochloride, salinomycin sodium and monensin sodium + nicarbazin, but not with narasin or narasin + nicarbazin. No conclusions could be drawn on the compatibility of TechnoSpore50® with decoquinate, lasalocid A sodium, semduramicin sodium, nicarbazin or amprolium hydrochloride.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Lacticaseibacillus caseiIDAC 210415-01, Limosilactobacillus fermentumIDAC 210415-02, Levilactobacillus brevisIDAC 051120-02 and Enterococcus faeciumIDAC 181218-03 (K-9 Heritage Probiotic Blend®) for dogs (CanBiocin Inc.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of K-9 Heritage Probiotic Blend® when used as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabilisers) for dogs. The product under assessment is based on viable cells of Lacticaseibacillus casei IDAC 210415-01, Limosilactobacillus fermentum IDAC 210415-02, Levilactobacillus brevis IDAC 051120-02 and Enterococcus faecium IDAC 181218-03. The FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the identification of the strains and, therefore, the safety of the product cannot be based on the presumption of safety of the active agents. The Panel notes that the use of E. faecium IDAC 181218-03 represents a safety concern because it harbours an acquired antimicrobial resistance gene. Moreover, the hazard related to the presence of additional antimicrobial resistance genes in the active agents cannot be excluded. No tolerance trials on the target animals have been provided. Therefore, the Panel is not in the position to conclude on the safety of the additive for dogs. Regarding the user safety, the Panel cannot conclude on the irritant potential of the additive for skin or eyes due to the absence of data. Given the proteinaceous nature of the active agents, the additive should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions could be drawn on its potential to be a skin sensitiser. The use of K-9 Heritage Probiotic Blend® in animal nutrition represents a safety concern for the environment due to the potential carryover of at least an antimicrobial resistance gene. The FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of K-9 Heritage Probiotic Blend® for the target species.

Assessment of the application for modification of the terms of the authorisation of the feed additive consisting of Bacillus subtilisDSM 32324, Bacillus subtilisDSM 32325 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciensDSM 25840 (GalliPro® Fit) for all poultry species for fattening and reared for laying/breeding (Chr. Hansen A/S)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32324, Bacillus subtilis DSM 32325 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 25840 (GalliPro® Fit) as a zootechnical feed additive for all poultry species for fattening and reared for laying or for breeding. The additive is already authorised for use in feed and water for drinking for the above-mentioned species. With this application, the company requested the modification of the current authorisations as regards the simultaneous use of the additive with the coccidiostats monensin, salinomycin, narasin, nicarbazin+narasin and lasalocid. The proposed modification in the conditions of the authorisation would not modify the conclusions previously drawn regarding the safety of GalliPro® Fit. The additive is safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. The additive is not a dermal/eye irritant but should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the skin sensitisation potential. The Panel concluded that GalliPro® Fit is compatible with the coccidiostats monensin, salinomycin, narasin, nicarbazin+narasin and lasalocid.

Efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensisNITE BP-01844 (BA-KING®) for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and all avian species for fattening, or rearing to slaughter or point of lay including non-food producing species (Toa Biopharma Co., Ltd.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of BA-KING® Bacillus velezensis as a zootechnical feed additive to be used as a gut flora stabiliser for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and all avian species for fattening or rearing to slaughter or point of lay including non-food producing species. The product under assessment is based on viable spores of a strain identified as B. velezensis, which is considered suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that BA-KING® was safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. Additionally, the additive was not irritant to skin but potentially irritant to eyes and respiratory sensitiser. The Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive for the target species at the proposed conditions of use. In the current application, two additional efficacy trials in chickens for fattening were provided. The results showed an improvement in the performance parameters of chickens when supplemented with BA-KING® at 2.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg complete feed relative to a control group. Considering the previously submitted studies and the newly submitted studies in chickens for fattening, the Panel concluded that BA-KING®, supplemented at 2.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg complete feed, has the potential to be efficacious in all avian species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding and non-food-producing avian species at the same physiological stage.

Efficacy of the feed additive consisting of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) CECT 8350 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) CECT 8700 (AQ02) for suckling piglets (Aquilon Cyl S.L.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the feed additive consisting of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) CECT 8350 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) CECT 8700 (AQ02) as a zootechnical feed additive for suckling piglets. In a previous opinion the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is considered safe for the target species, the consumer, and the environment. The Panel concluded that the additive should be considered a respiratory sensitiser but could not conclude on the skin/eye irritation potential or on its skin sensitisation potential. The Panel previously could not conclude on the efficacy of AQ02. The applicant has provided supplementary information to support the efficacy of the additive in suckling piglets. Based on the data provided, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive.

Efficacy of the feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensis NRRL B-67257 (Correlink™ ABS747) 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 viable 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™ ABS747 Bacillus subtilis and is not currently authorised in the European Union. 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-67257 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 from the treated or the control group of one of the formerly submitted efficacy studies. The Panel concluded that the methodology was not able to discriminate between the strain under assessment and the background. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of Correlink™ ABS747 for all growing poultry species based on the data newly provided.

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 a feed additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1079 for calves, all other ruminant species and camelids for rearing and for fattening (Danstart Ferment AG)

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 Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I‐1079 when used as a zootechnical additive (gut flora stabilisers and physiological condition stabilisers) for calves, all other ruminant species and for camelids for rearing and for fattening. The product, manufactured in two forms, as a powder and an encapsulated form, is intended for use in complete feed at a minimum inclusion level of 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg complete feed. S. cerevisiae is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. Since the identity of the strain has been clearly established and the additive is composed mainly by dried cells of the active agent, the use of the additive in animal nutrition is considered safe for the target species, the consumer and the environment. The additive is not a skin or eye irritant, or a skin sensitiser, but should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. However, exposure by inhalation to the encapsulated form is unlikely. The Panel was not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of the additive for the target species.

Assessment of the efficacy of the feed additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisaeCNCM I-1077 (Levucell®SC) for dairy cows, cattle for fattening, minor ruminant species and camelids (Lallemand SAS)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the re‐evaluation of the authorisation of the feed additive containing Saccharomyces cerevisae CNCM I‐1077 (Levucell^® SC) as a zootechnical additive for ruminants. The additive is already authorised for use in dairy sheep and dairy goats, lambs and horses, calves, all minor ruminant species (for rearing) other than lambs and camelids (for rearing) and dairy cows. The additive is intended for use in complete feed for dairy cows, minor ruminant species for milk production and all camelids at the minimum dose of 4 × 10⁸ CFU/kg and for cattle for fattening and minor ruminant species for fattening at the minimum dose of 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive has a potential to improve the performance of cattle raised for fattening, minor ruminant species and camelids raised for meat production but could not conclude on the efficacy of Levucell^® SC for dairy cows or extrapolate to minor dairy ruminant species or dairy camelids. The applicant has provided supplementary information to support efficacy of the additive in dairy cows. Based on the data provided, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of the additive for dairy cows or other dairy ruminants under the proposed conditions of use.

Assessment of the efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) DSM 32203 for dogs (NBF LANES)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) DSM 32203 as a zootechnical additive for dogs. The additive is a preparation of viable cells of L. reuteri DSM 32203 and it has not been previously authorised as a feed additive in the European Union. The additive is intended for use in complete feed for dogs at a minimum use level of 6 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU) per animal and day. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of L. reuteri DSM 32203 for dogs. The applicant has provided supplementary information to support the efficacy of the additive to dogs. Based on the data provided, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that L. reuteri DSM 32203 has the potential to improve faecal consistency by reducing the moisture content of stools from dogs receiving the additive at 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg feed. However, the Panel has some reservations on the effects in the moisture content of stools, which if maintained over time might cast doubts on the benefits on the long‐term use of the additive since it could lead to constipation.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus subtilis FERM BP-07462, Enterococcus lactis FERM BP-10867 and Clostridium butyricum FERM BP-10866 (BIO-THREE®) for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding, all avian species for rearing/fattening to slaughter and all avian species reared for laying or breeding to point of lay (TOA BIOPHARMA 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 safety and efficacy of BIO‐THREE^® when used as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding, all avian species for rearing/fattening to slaughter and all avian species reared for laying or breeding to point of lay. The product under assessment is based on viable cells/spores of Bacillus subtilis FERM BP‐07462, Enterococcus lactis FERM BP‐10867 and Clostridium butyricum FERM BP‐10866. Based on the tolerance study provided, the Panel concluded that the additive is safe for the target species under the conditions of use. The additive is safe for the consumers of products derived from animals receiving the additive. The additive is not irritant to skin and eyes. The additive is a respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions could be drawn on its potential to be a skin sensitiser. The use of the product as a feed additive is of no concern for the environment. The FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of BIO‐THREE^® for the target species. BIO‐THREE^® is compatible with diclazuril, decoquinate and halofuginone. No conclusions could be drawn on the compatibility of BIO‐THREE^® with monensin sodium, salinomycin sodium, narasin, robenidine hydrochloride and maduramicin ammonium.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) CECT 8350 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) CECT 8700 (AQ02) for suckling piglets (AQUILON CYL S.L.)

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA 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 a feed additive consisting on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) CECT 8350 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) CECT 8700 (AQ02) for suckling piglets. The additive can be presumed safe for the target species, the consumer and the environment. In the absence of data, the Panel could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be a skin or eye irritant or a skin sensitiser. The additive should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. In the absence of adequate data, the Panel cannot conclude on the efficacy of AQ02 as a zootechnical feed additive for suckling piglets.

Safety and efficacy of STABILFLOR® as a zootechnical feed additive for pigs for fattening

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 STABILFLOR ^® (zinc ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Zn-EDTA) and copper diammonium EDTA (Cu-EDTA) dried on chicory pulp and supplemented with zinc oxide and copper oxide), as a zootechnical additive for pigs. STABILFLOR ^® is intended to be used in feed for pigs for fattening at a minimum and maximum levels of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg complete feed, respectively. The Panel could not conclude on the safety of STABILFLOR ^® for pigs for fattening owing to the lack of adequate data. At the proposed used levels in feed the additive may exert antimicrobial activity in the gut microbiota. The use of the additive resulted neither in residues of Zn-EDTA, Cu-EDTA or EDTA nor on an increase in total zinc and copper deposition in edible tissues; Zn-EDTA and Cu-EDTA had not a genotoxic potential; the Panel concluded that STABILFLOR ^® at 1,000 mg/kg complete feed for pigs does not pose any concern to the safety of consumers. The handling of STABILFLOR ^® will lead to a copper exposure of the users that poses a risk by inhalation; the additive is not a skin irritant or a skin sensitiser but is a severe eye irritant. Regarding environmental safety, no concern was expected for the terrestrial compartment. A risk for groundwater was highlighted for Zn-EDTA. Due to the absence of data, the risk for the aquatic compartment could not be assessed. Only one efficacy study showed positive effects of STABILFLOR ^® in pigs for fattening at 1,000 mg/kg complete feed; a conclusion on the efficacy of STABILFLOR ^® could not be drawn. The minimum use level of 500 mg STABILFLOR ^®/kg complete feed was not tested.

Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 as a zootechnical additive (gut flora stabiliser) for calves for rearing

Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 is a preparation of viable spores of a single strain of B. subtilis intended to be used as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabilizer) in feed for calves for rearing to increase growth. In 2018, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 as a feed additive for calves for rearing. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. In that opinion, the FEEDAP Panel was unable to conclude on the efficacy of the additive, under the condition of use as proposed by the applicant, due to insufficient data provided. In the current opinion, additional data to demonstrate the efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 were assessed. Based on one study of this application and two studies submitted in the previous application, the Panel concluded that Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 has the potential to be efficacious as gut flora stabiliser used in feed for calves for rearing at the proposed use level.

Modification of the conditions of the authorisation of BioPlus® 2B (Bacillus licheniformis DSM 5749 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 5750) for turkeys for fattening

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 modification of the terms of the authorisation of BioPlus^® 2B (Bacillus licheniformis DSM 5749 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 5750) in feeds for turkeys for fattening to allow the simultaneous use with a battery of permitted coccidiostats (diclazuril, halofuginone, monensin sodium, robenidine hydrochloride, maduramicin ammonium, lasalocid sodium) and with the preservative formic acid. The proposed modification in the conditions of the authorisation would not modify the conclusions previously drawn regarding the safety of the additive. The additive is safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. The additive should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser, but the Panel could not conclude on the irritancy of the additive to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation. Conclusions previously drawn by the FEEDAP Panel on the compatibility of the additive for chickens for fattening apply to the current application provided that the maximum authorised concentration of the coccidiostats semduramycin, maduramicin ammonium, lasalocid sodium and the preservative formic acid for turkeys for fattening (when maximum authorised concentrations exist), are equal or lower than those for chickens for fattening. Considering the data submitted, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that BioPlus^® 2B (B. licheniformis DSM 5749 and B. subtilis DSM 5750) is compatible with diclazuril and monensin sodium. Based on the data provided, no conclusion can be drawn for robenidine hydrochloride. In the absence of data, no conclusion can be drawn for halofuginone.

Efficacy of EB15 10 (Bacillus subtilis DSM 25841) as a feed additive for weaned piglets and weaned minor porcine 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 efficacy of EB15 10 for weaned piglets and minor porcine species. The additive is a preparation containing viable spores of a strain of Bacillus subtilis (DSM 25841). This product is available in two forms, EB15 and EB15 10, which contain the bacterium in concentrations of 1.25 × 10⁹ CFU/g additive and 1.25 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g additive, respectively. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel assessed the safety and the efficacy of the product when used in weaned piglets. The Panel concluded that the active agent fulfils the requirements of the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to the assessment of safety. Consequently, the additive is presumed safe for the target animals, consumers of products from animals fed with the additive and the environment. Regarding the safety for the user, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be irritant to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation due to the lack of data. However, it concluded that the additive should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. The data provided in the previous assessment to support the efficacy of the additive was not sufficient to conclude on the efficacy of the additive in weaned piglets or minor weaned porcine species. The applicant provided supplementary information to complement the data, including a statistical analysis pooling data from different studies. Based on the newly submitted data, the Panel concluded that the additive has a potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive in weaned piglets at a level of 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg complete feed or in water for drinking at 1.7 × 10⁸ CFU/L. This conclusion was extrapolated to minor porcine species at the same developmental stage.

Efficacy of ZM16 10 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 25840) as a feed additive for weaned piglets and minor porcine 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 efficacy of ZM16 10 for weaned piglets and minor porcine species. The additive is a preparation containing viable spores of a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (DSM 25840). This product is available in two forms, ZM16 and ZM16 10, which contain the bacterium in concentrations of 1.25 × 10⁹ CFU/g additive and 1.25 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g additive, respectively. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel assessed the safety and the efficacy of the product when used in weaned piglets. The Panel concluded that the active agent fulfils the requirements of the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to the assessment of safety. Consequently, the additive is presumed safe for the target animals, consumers of products from animals fed with the additive and the environment. Regarding the safety for the user, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be irritant to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation due to the lack of data. However, it concluded that the additive should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. The data provided in the previous assessment to support the efficacy of the additive was not sufficient to conclude on the efficacy of the additive in weaned piglets or minor weaned porcine species. The applicant provided supplementary information to complement the data, including a statistical analysis pooling data from different studies. Based on the newly submitted data, the Panel concluded that the additive has a potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive in weaned piglets at a level of 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg complete feed or in water for drinking at 1.7 × 10⁸ CFU/L. This conclusion was extrapolated to minor porcine species at the same developmental stage.

Safety and efficacy of TYFER™ (ferric tyrosine chelate) as a zootechnical feed additive for chickens, turkeys and minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of the product TYFER™ (ferric tyrosine chelate) as zootechnical feed additive for chickens, turkeys and minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. The additive is safe for chickens for fattening at the maximum expected level of 200 mg TYFER™/kg complete feed; this conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying/breeding and extrapolated to turkeys and all minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. No concerns for consumer safety are expected from the use of the additive in poultry nutrition. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) considers that the additive poses a risk to users by inhalation, and should also be considered as an irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Due to the presence of nickel, ferric tyrosine chelate should also be considered as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. The supplementation of feed with the additive is not expected to pose an environmental risk. TYFER™ used at the minimum recommended level (20 mg/kg feed) in chickens diets has the potential to improve zootechnical parameters of birds. The additive at 20 mg/kg feed has the potential to reduce the caecal load Campylobacter spp. by at least 1 log₁₀-units in chickens for fattening, thus with a potential impact to reduce the risk of human campylobacteriosis; however, the Panel notes that the load of Campylobacter in the chickens caecum is one of the multiple factors that contribute to Campylobacter load in carcases-meat. The conclusions on the efficacy of the additive can be extended to chickens reared for laying/breeding and extrapolated to turkeys and all minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. The Panel recommends including a specification for maximum lithium content in a potential authorisation of the additive.

Safety and efficacy of B-Act® (Bacillus licheniformis DSM 28710) as a feed additive for turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and minor poultry species for fattening or raised for laying

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of B-Act^® when used in feed for turkeys for fattening, reared for breeding and minor poultry species for fattening or raised for laying. B-Act^® is a preparation containing viable spores of a Bacillus licheniformis strain. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment, which requires the identity of the strain to be established and evidence that it is not toxigenic and does not show acquired resistance to relevant antibiotics. In a previous opinion, the strain was found to meet the criteria for the QPS approach. Since no concerns are expected from other components of the additive, B-Act^® is presumed safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. In the same opinion, no conclusions could be drawn on the skin/eye irritation or skin sensitisation potential of the additive, but B-Act^® was considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. Since the use of B-Act^® with the target species is considered unlikely to introduce hazards for users of the product not already considered, the conclusions previously reached apply to the current application. B-Act^® at the recommended dose of 1.6 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU)/kg feed has the potential to be efficacious in turkeys for fattening. Since the same dose is proposed for the minor poultry species for fattening or raised for laying, the conclusions can be extended/extrapolated to these species. The conclusions on the compatibility of B-Act^® with coccidiostats previously drawn apply to the current application provided that the maximum authorised concentrations of the coccidiostats for the target species are equal/lower than those for chickens.

Safety and efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (Lactobacillus acidophilus CECT 4529) as a feed additive for cats and dogs

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 Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL when used in feed for cats and dogs at a minimum dose of 5 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU)/kg complete feedingstuffs. The additive is a preparation of viable cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus CECT 4529. This species is considered by the European Food Safety Authority to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to establishing safety for the target species and the environment. The safety of L. acidophilus CECT 4529 was assessed by EFSA in 2014. Following the QPS approach to safety assessment, L. acidophilus CECT 4529 is assumed to be safe for the target species and the environment without the need for further studies. No concerns are expected from other excipients present in the product, so Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL is also considered safe for target animals, including cats and dogs, and the environment. The safety of the additive for the user was also considered in that opinion. The FEEDAP Panel is unaware of any new data that would lead it to revise its conclusions that the additive should be considered to be an eye/skin irritant and a skin/respiratory sensitiser. Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL has some potential to reduce the moisture of stools from dogs and cats receiving the additive at 5 x 10⁹CFU/kg feed. However, the biological relevance of the magnitude of the effect detected is questionable.

Safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 as a feed additive for calves for rearing

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA 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 Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 when used in feed for calves for rearing. The additive is a preparation containing viable spores of a strain of B. subtilis. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. The strain was found to meet the criteria for the QPS approach in the context of a previous opinion and since concerns are not expected from other components of the additive, the additive is presumed safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. In the same opinion, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 is not an eye/skin irritant but should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser and that no conclusion could be drawn on its skin sensitisation potential. These conclusions apply also to the current application. Insufficient evidence was provided to conclude on the efficacy of the additive in calves for rearing.

Safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 as a feed additive for piglets

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA 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 Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 when used in feed for weaned piglets. The additive is a preparation containing viable spores of a strain of B. subtilis. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment which requires the identity of the strain to be conclusively established, evidence that the strain is not toxigenic and that it does not show resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary importance. The strain was found to meet the criteria for the QPS approach in the context of a previous opinion and since concerns are not expected from other components of the additive, the additive is presumed safe for all target species, consumers and the environment. In the same opinion, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 is not an eye/skin irritant but should be considered as a potential respiratory sensitiser and that no conclusion could be drawn on its skin sensitisation potential. These conclusions apply also to the current application. Bacillus subtilis DSM 28343 at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feedingstuffs has the potential to be efficacious in weaned piglets.

Efficacy of Cylactin® (Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415) as a feed additive for pigs for fattening

Cylactin^® is the trade name for a feed additive based on dehydrated cells of Enterococcus faecium. It is marketed in three forms: Cylactin^®LBC ME10 and Cylactin^®LBC ME20 Plus – which contain the microencapsulated bacterium in concentrations of 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g and 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g, respectively – and Cylactin^®LBC G35, a granulated form with a guaranteed content of 3.5 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g. In 2012, EFSA was requested by the European Commission to re‐evaluate the product when used as a zootechnical additive in feed for weaned piglets, sows and pigs for fattening. In the opinion delivered in 2015, the safety of the additive for consumers, users, the environment and target animals and its efficacy for piglets and sows were established. However, since only two efficacy studies with pigs for fattening could be considered and showed positive results, the Panel could not conclude on the efficacy for this target species due to insufficient data. The applicant has produced three additional feeding trials in pigs for fattening receiving the additive at the proposed inclusion level of 3.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feedingstuffs, which are the subject of this assessment. None of these studies showed a significant effect on the performance of pigs for fattening. The data on average daily gain and feed to gain ratio of the three new studies and of the two from the previous opinion were pooled. Based on the results of this pooled analysis of five studies, but not supported by four out of the five individual studies, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed concludes that Cylactin^® has some potential to improve performance of pigs for fattening at 3.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed.

Efficacy of Levucell® SB (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1079) as a feed additive for weaned piglets

Levucell^® SB is a feed additive based on viable cells of a strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae marketed in three formulations: SB20 with a minimum concentration of 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g viable yeast cells and SB10 ME and SB Titan, both microencapsulated forms with a minimum concentration of 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g viable yeast cells. In 2014, EFSA was requested by the European Commission to re‐evaluate the product when used as a zootechnical additive in feed for sows and weaned piglets. The safety of the additive for consumers, users, the environment and target animals and its efficacy for sows was established at that time. In that instance, the FEEDAP also concluded on the potential Levucell^® SB to improve growth of piglets based on one study where supplementation of the additive was done at the recommended dose of 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feedingstuffs and two at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feedingstuffs, and considered that the effective dose was 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feedingstuffs. Two additional feeding trials in weaned piglets receiving the additive at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feedingstuffs are the subject of this assessment. Due to the high mortality, one of the studies was not considered. In the remaining study, the supplementation of Levucell^® SB to weaned piglets at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed resulted in a significant improvement of feed to gain ratio. Taking into account the two trials from the initial application which showed significant effects at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that Levucell^® SB has the potential to improve performance of weaned piglets when added to feed at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg complete feedingstuffs. Results of the efficacy studies can be applied to any of the three available formulations when used to deliver the same dose.