BAKGRUNN (fra kommisjonsforordningen)

(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 a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-mannanase produced with Thermothelomyces thermophilus DSM 33149. 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 a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-mannanase produced with Thermothelomyces thermophilus DSM 33149 as a feed additive for chickens and turkeys for fattening, minor poultry species for fattening and ornamental birds, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘zootechnical additives’ and in the functional group ‘digestibility enhancers’.

(4) The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 1 February 2023 (2) that the preparation of endo-1,4-beta-mannanase produced with Thermothelomyces thermophilus DSM 33149 is safe for the environment and has the potential to be efficacious in chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, minor poultry species for fattening and ornamental birds at a use level of 800 TMU/kg. After the assessment of newly submitted data by the applicant, the Authority concluded in its opinion of 30 January 2024 (3) that the preparation of endo-1,4-beta-mannanase produced with Thermothelomyces thermophilus DSM 33149 is safe for the target species at the proposed use level, and for the consumer. The Authority also concluded that the preparation of endo-1,4-beta-mannanase produced with Thermothelomyces thermophilus DSM 33149 is not irritant to the eyes or skin. Owing to the proteinaceous nature of the active substance, the additive should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The Authority was not able to conclude on the potential of the additive to be a skin sensitiser. It did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. The Authority also verified the report on the method of analysis of the feed additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(5) In view of the above, the Commission considers that the preparation of endo-1,4-beta-mannanase produced with Thermothelomyces thermophilus DSM 33149 satisfies the conditions for authorisation provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that preparation should be authorised for all poultry species for fattening and ornamental birds. 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.

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