Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety and efficacy of the enzyme preparation Safizym X (endo-1,4-beta-xylanase) as a feed additive for ducks in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003

The additive Safizym X is a preparation of endo 1,4 beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced by Trichoderma longibrachiatum CL 847 (CNCM MA 6/10W). This product is authorised for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, laying hens and piglets. The applicant is now seeking extension for use of this product for ducks. The minimum dose requested for ducks for fattening is 700 IFP kg(-1) complete feedingstuff although the applicant recommends a dose of 2800 IFP kg(-1) complete feedingstuff. The safety of Safizym X for consumer, user and environment has been already established in an earlier SCAN opinion. The FEEDAP Panel is not aware of any new data that would indicate that these conclusions should be reconsidered. Efficacy has been previously demonstrated in chickens and turkeys for fattening at a minimum dose of 1050 and 1400 IFP kg(-1) complete feed, respectively. As the mode of action of xylanases in ducks is the same as in the major species, an extrapolation can be made provided the dose range is similar. In this case, the minimum effective dose in ducks has been derived from a dose-range trial provided by the applicant showing a positive effect on feed to gain ratio of the supplementation with 700 IFP kg(-1). Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that evidence of efficacy of Safizym X for ducks for fattening has been provided at a dose of 700 IFP kg(-1). No adverse effects on animal performance were observed due to supplementation of the diets with 12.5 times the recommended dose of Safizym X. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that Safizym X is safe for the target species.