Safety and efficacy of Natugrain (R) TS/TS L (endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and endo-1,4-beta-glucanase) as a feed additive for chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species for laying

The additive Natugrain (R) TS/TS L contains endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and endo-1,4-beta-glucanase and it is available in solid and liquid forms. This additive is authorised for use in piglets and pigs for fattening, poultry species and ornamental birds. The currently authorised dose for chickens reared for laying and for minor poultry species for laying is 560 TXU and 250 TGU per kg feed. The applicant requested to reduce the dose to 280 TXU and 125 TGU per kg feed in these target species/categories. Safety aspects regarding the use of this additive in feed including the safety of the genetic modification of the production strain, the safety for the consumers, for the users and for the environment were previously assessed. The Panel concluded that there are no concerns for consumer safety and no risks for the environment are expected. Both forms were considered potential skin and respiratory sensitisers. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) is not aware of any new information that would lead it to reconsider the conclusions drawn previously. The FEEDAP Panel had previously evaluated a tolerance trial carried out with chickens for fattening and another one in laying hens and concluded that the additive is safe at the dose of 840 TXU and 375 TGU per kg feed. This conclusion was extended to chickens reared for laying and extrapolated to minor poultry species for laying. The proposed reduction in the minimum recommended dose would not affect that conclusion. Based on the results obtained in efficacy studies, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is efficacious in chickens for fattening and laying hens at 280 TXU and 125 TGU per kg feed. This conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying and extrapolated to minor poultry species for laying. (C) 2016 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.