BAKGRUNN (fra kommisjonsforordning) 

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition and for the grounds and procedures for granting such an authorisation.

(2) In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the authorisation of benzoic acid as a feed additive. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(3) The application concerns the authorisation of benzoic acid as a feed additive for weaned piglets and pigs for fattening, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘zootechnical additives’, in the functional group ‘other zootechnical additives’.

(4) The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 14 November 2023 (2) that, under the proposed conditions of use, benzoic acid is safe for weaned piglets and pigs for fattening, consumers and the environment. It also concluded that benzoic acid poses a risk by inhalation, is irritant to skin and corrosive to eyes, but that due to the lack of data no conclusions can be drawn on dermal sensitisation. The Authority further concluded that benzoic acid is efficacious as a zootechnical feed additive for weaned piglets up to 25 kg and for pigs for fattening. It did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring.

(5) In accordance with Article 5(4), point (a), of Commission Regulation (EC) No 378/2005 (3), the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 considered that the conclusions and recommendations reached in the previous assessment concerning the same active substance (4) are valid and applicable for the current application.

(6) In view of the above, the Commission considers that benzoic acid satisfies the conditions for authorisation provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that substance should be authorised. It is appropriate to provide for the additive not to be used with other sources of benzoic acid or benzoates, and to be fed only thoroughly mixed with other feed materials of the daily ration. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additive.

(7) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,