(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 endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger (NRRL 25541) and alpha-amylase produced by Aspergillus niger (ATCC66222) was authorised in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC without a time limit as a feed additive for weaned piglets by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1453/2004 (3). 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.

(3)

In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 7 of that Regulation, an application was submitted for the re-evaluation of the preparation of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger (NRRL 25541) and alpha-amylase produced by Aspergillus niger (ATCC66222) as a feed additive for weaned piglets and minor porcine species (weaned). The applicant requested 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 opinions of 8 October 2013 (4), 16 May 2017 (5) and 17 April 2018 (6) that, under the proposed conditions of use, of the preparation of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger (NRRL 25541) and alpha-amylase produced by Aspergillus niger (ATCC66222) does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment. The Authority also concluded that the use of that preparation has the potential to improve the final body weight and the feed to gain ratio in weaned piglets and that conclusion can be can be extrapolated to minor porcine species (weaned). 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 endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger (NRRL 25541) and alpha-amylase produced by Aspergillus niger (ATCC66222) 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 the Annex to this Regulation.

(6)

As a consequence of granting the authorisation for the preparation Regulation (EC) No 1453/2004 should be amended accordingly.

(7)

Since there are no safety concerns requiring 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,