Abstract
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of copper chelates of lysine and glutamic acid (Copper-LG) as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concludes that, owing to safety considerations, Copper-LG should not be used in water for drinking. Copper-LG is safe for chickens for fattening; this conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species and categories provided that the maximum authorised levels in the EU for total copper in feed are not exceeded. No increases in the copper content of animal tissues/products are expected from the use of Copper-LG in animal nutrition. There is no indication that the toxicity of Copper-LG is essentially different from that of inorganic divalent copper. The use of Copper-LG in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety provided that the maximum authorised total copper in feed is respected. Owing to the copper and nickel content of Copper-LG, the handling of the additive, poses a risk to users by inhalation. The additive is considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser; it is corrosive to the eye while it is non-irritant to skin. The additive is intended to be a substitute for other authorised copper additives and will not further increase the environmental burden of copper; therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of the additive in animal nutrition would not pose an additional risk for the environment. Copper-LG is a bioavailable source of copper, comparable to the standard inorganic copper source, and therefore, the additive is efficacious in meeting the birds copper requirements; this conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species/categories. The FEEDAP Panel posed a recommendation concerning the description of the additive.