(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 and renewing such authorisation.

(2)

Propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate were authorised for a period of 10 years as feed additives for ruminants, pigs and poultry by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1222/2013 (2) and for all animal species other than ruminants, pigs and poultry by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 305/2014 (3).

(3)

In accordance with Article 14(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, applications were submitted for the renewal of the authorisation of propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate as feed additives for all animal species, requesting the additives to be classified in the additive category ‘technological additives’ and in the functional group ‘silage additives’. Those applications were accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 14(2) of that Regulation.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinions of 3 July 2024 (4) and 17 September 2024 (5) that propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate remain safe for all terrestrial animal species, the consumer and the environment under the authorised conditions. Regarding user safety, it concluded that propionic acid is corrosive to the skin while sodium and ammonium propionate are also corrosive to the eyes and respiratory tract. Sodium propionate is not a skin sensitiser. Any exposure of these additives to users is considered a risk. The Authority considered that there is no need for assessing the efficacy of propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate in the context of the renewal of the authorisation, as the applications for renewal of the authorisations do not include proposals for amending or supplementing the conditions of the original authorisations that would have an impact on the efficacy of the additives.

(5)

By letter of 11 September 2024, the applicant withdrew the application for the renewal of the authorisation as regards the use of propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate for aquatic animals.

(6)

The Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 considered that the conclusions and recommendations reached in the previous assessments carried out regarding the methods of analysis of propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate as feed additives are valid and applicable for the current applications. Those previous assessments took place in the context of a new evaluation of the methods of analysis concerned performed by the Reference Laboratory, which is referred to in the Authority’s opinions of 3 July 2024 and 17 September 2024, in order to take account of scientific and technological developments and to ensure a better suitability of the methods of analysis for official controls.

(7)

In view of the above, the Commission considers that propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate satisfy the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the authorisation of these additives should be renewed. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additives.

(8)

As a consequence of the renewal of the authorisation of propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate as feed additives, Implementing Regulations (EU) No 1222/2013 and (EU) No 305/2014 should be repealed accordingly.

(9)

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