(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition and for the grounds and procedures for granting such authorisation. Article 10 of that Regulation provides for the re-evaluation of additives authorised pursuant to Council Directive 70/524/EEC (2).

(2)

The preparation of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM MA 18/5M was authorised without a time limit in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC as a feed additive for chickens for fattening by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1200/2005 (3), and as a feed additive for pigs for fattening by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2036/2005 (4). That preparation was subsequently entered in the Register of feed additives as an existing product, in accordance with Article 10(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. That preparation was authorised for the use in water for drinking for weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, laying hens and chickens for fattening by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 413/2013 (5).

(3)

In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 7 thereof, an application was submitted for the re-evaluation of the preparation of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM MA 18/5M as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and for pigs for fattening and, in accordance with Article 7 of that Regulation, for the authorisation for use for minor porcine species (weaned), minor porcine species for fattening, minor avian species for fattening and minor avian species reared for laying and for the use in water for drinking, requesting that additive to be classified in the additive category ‘zootechnical additives’. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 20 April 2016 (6) that, under the proposed conditions of use, the preparation of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM MA 18/5M does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment. The Authority further concluded that the use of the preparation in feed and in water for drinking has the potential to improve the zootechnical performance of pigs for fattening and chickens for fattening. It considered that since the mechanism of action of the additive is presumed to be the same, the preparation has also the potential to improve the zootechnical performance of minor porcine species (weaned), minor porcine species for fattening, minor avian species for fattening and minoravian species reared for laying. The Authority does not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. It also verified the report on the method of analysis of the feed additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(5)

The assessment of the preparation of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM MA 18/5M shows that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the use of that preparation should be authorised as specified in Annex I to this Regulation.

(6)

As a consequence of the granting of a new authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, Regulations (EC) No 1200/2005, (EC) No 2036/2005 and Implementing Regulation (EU) No 413/2013 should be amended accordingly.

(7)

Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation, it is appropriate to allow a transitional period for interested parties to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the authorisation.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,