(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. Article 10(2) of that Regulation provides for the re-evaluation of additives authorised pursuant to Council Directive 70/524/EEC (2).

(2)

The preparation of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase produced by Aspergillus fijiensis CBS 589.94 (previously taxonomically identified as Aspergillus aculeatus) was authorised without a time limit in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC as a feed additive for chickens for fattening by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1259/2004 (3) and for piglets (weaned) by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1811/2005 (4). That preparation was subsequently entered in the Register of feed additives as an existing product, in accordance with Article 10(1), point (b), of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(3)

In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 7 thereof, an application was submitted for the authorisation of the preparation of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase produced by Aspergillus fijiensis CBS 589.94 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and weaned piglets. The applicant requested the additive to be classified in the additive category ‘zootechnical additives’ and in the functional group ‘digestibility enhancers’. The application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 23 November 2022 (5) that, under the proposed conditions of use, the preparation does not have adverse effects on animal health, consumer safety or the environment. As regards safety for the users when handling the preparation, owning to the lack of data with the final formulations, the Authority could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be irritant to skin and eyes or on its potential as a dermal sensitiser, but considered that the additive is a respiratory sensitiser due to the proteinaceous nature of the active substance. The Authority concluded that the additive is efficacious as a zootechnical additive in chickens for fattening and weaned piglets at the minimum recommended level of 10 FBG/kg feed. It also verified the report on the methods of analysis of the feed additives in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(5)

The assessment of the additive shows that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the use of that additive should be authorised. The Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on human health, in particular as regards the users of the additive.

(6)

Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation of the preparation concerned, it is appropriate to provide for a transitional period for the interested parties to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the authorisation.

(7)

As a consequence of the authorisation of the preparation of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase produced by Aspergillus fijiensis CBS 589.94 as a feed additive, Regulation (EC) No 1811/2005 should be amended and Regulation (EC) No 1259/2004 should be repealed.

(8)

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