(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 an authorisation.

(2)

In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the authorisation of L-tryptophan produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(3)

The application concerns the authorisation of L-tryptophan produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346 as a feed additive for use in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘nutritional additives’ and in the functional group ‘amino acids, their salts and analogues’.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 7 March 2024 (2) that, under the proposed conditions of use, L-tryptophan produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346 does not pose any safety concerns regarding the production strain and is safe for non-ruminant target species. However, it concluded that there may be a risk for an increased production of the toxic metabolite skatole when unprotected tryptophan is used in ruminants. The Authority referred to concerns on the safety for the target species resulting from the simultaneous oral administration of L-tryptophan via water for drinking and feed due to possible amino acid imbalances and for hygienic reasons in case of use in water. It also concluded that the use of L-tryptophan produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment and that regarding user safety it is neither irritating to the eyes and skin, nor a skin sensitiser. The Authority further concluded that the substance is regarded as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan for all non-ruminant species and that for the substance to be fully efficacious in ruminants, it should be protected from ruminal degradation. The Authority did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. The Authority 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)

In view of the above, the Commission considers that L-tryptophan produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346 satisfies the conditions, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that substance should be authorised. When fed to ruminants, it is appropriate to provide for protective measures against its degradation in the rumen. It is appropriate to alert the users to take into account the dietary supply with all the essential and conditionally essential amino acids, in particular in the case of supplementation with L-tryptophan via water for drinking. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additive.

(6)

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