(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 molybdenum chelate of EDTA. 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 molybdenum chelate of EDTA as a feed additive for honeybees and bumblebees, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘nutritional additives’, in the functional group ‘compounds of trace elements’.

(4)    The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 27 January 2026  that molybdenum chelate of EDTA is safe for the target species, as well as for consumers and the environment, when used at the maximum recommended use level of 8 mg/hive per feeding. The Authority also concluded that molybdenum chelate of EDTA should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser, that inhalation and dermal exposure are considered a risk and should be minimised, while the additive is not irritant to skin nor to eyes. It could not conclude on the efficacy of molybdenum chelate of EDTA as a nutritional additive in honeybees and bumblebees but concluded that the supplementation of the additive at 8 mg/hive has the potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive for honeybees. However, no conclusion could be reached on the efficacy of molybdenum chelate of EDTA when supplemented to bumblebees. It did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. The Authority also verified the report on the methods of analysis of the feed additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(5)    On 2 March 2026, the applicant withdrew the application for the authorisation of molybdenum chelate of EDTA for bumblebees, and on 12 May 2026 it requested molybdenum chelate of EDTA to be reclassified in the category ‘zootechnical additives’ and in the functional group ‘physiological condition stabilisers’. 

(6)    In view of the above, the Commission considers that molybdenum chelate of EDTA satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that substance should be authorised for honeybees. Considering that molybdenum chelate of EDTA is to be fed to honeybees via sugar-based feed, it is appropriate to prohibit the use of the additive when the honey supers are on, and in the 2-month period preceding the honey collection, to avoid honey adulteration. 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,