Abstract
Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on Bacillus velezensis ATCC PTA-6737 as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut-flora stabiliser) in the context of the renewal of the authorisation for turkeys for fattening and turkeys reared for breeding. The applicant is also requesting to modify the target species in the current authorisations to 'all growing poultry', the increase of the recommended use level in chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species except minor poultry for laying from 1 × 10(7) to 1 × 10(8) CFU/kg complete feed and the compatibility of the additive with halofuginone. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the conditions of the authorisation. There was no new evidence that would lead to reconsider previous conclusions. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive remains safe for all poultry species for fattening and reared for laying/breeding, the consumers and the environment under the current authorised conditions of use. The additive is not irritant to the skin and eyes, but it should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The Panel could not conclude on the skin sensitisation potential of the additive. The Panel concluded that the additive has a potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive for poultry for fattening and reared for laying/breeding under the proposed conditions of use.