Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Lactobacillus buchneri (DSM 22963) as a silage additive for all species EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)

Lactobacillus buchneri is a technological additive intended to improve the ensiling process at a proposed dose of 1.0 x 10(8) CFU/kg fresh material. The bacterial species L. buchneri is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the Qualified Presumption of Safety approach. As the identity of the strain has been clearly established and as no antibiotic resistance was detected, the use of the strain in the production of silage is considered safe for livestock species, consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage and for the environment. Evidence of a lack of irritancy was provided for one formulation of the additive. It is unlikely that given the nature of the alternative food grade excipients, different results would be obtained for other formulations containing this strain of L. buchneri. However, the proteinaceous nature of the active agent means its potential to be a skin/respiratory sensitizer cannot be excluded. Five studies with laboratory-scale silos are described, each lasting at least 90 days, made using samples of forage covering a range of dry matter content (20 to 71 %) with differing water-soluble carbohydrate content. In each case, replicate silos containing treated forage were compared to identical silos containing the same untreated forage and, after opening, the period before deterioration became evident was measured. The results showed that the additive containing this specific strain of L. buchneri has the potential to improve the production of silage from all forages by increasing acetic acid production resulting in an extended aerobic stability of the treated silage. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2011