(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 authorisation.

(2)

In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the authorisation of betaine anhydrous. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(3)

That application concerns the authorisation of betaine anhydrous as a feed additive for food-producing animals to be classified in the additive functional group ‘vitamins, provitamins and chemically well-defined substances having a similar effect’. Subsequently, the applicant withdrew the application for rabbits.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 12 June 2018 (2) that, under the proposed conditions of use, betaine anhydrous does not have adverse effects on animal health, human health or the environment. The Authority concluded that betaine anhydrous has a nutritional role and is an effective source of betaine with a potential to be efficacious in all animal species.

(5)

The Authority further noted that the solid form has the potential to generate dust; therefore, exposure by inhalation cannot be excluded. In addition, the Authority stated that betaine anhydrous should be considered hazardous by inhalation, irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes and a skin sensitiser. Consequently, appropriate protective measures should be taken with respect to the handling of the solid form of betaine anhydrous.

(6)

The Authority concluded that the liquid form of betaine anhydrous contains a high proportion of unknown material; therefore, it is not possible to conclude on its safety. Consequently, only the solid form should be authorised.

(7)

The Authority does not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. It 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.

(8)

The assessment of betaine anhydrous shows that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the use of this additive should be authorised as specified in the Annex to this Regulation.

(9)

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