(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 a preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357. 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 a preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357 as a feed additive for all animal species, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘technological additives’ and in the functional group ‘silage additives’.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) in its opinion of 31 August 2025 (2) concluded that the preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357 is safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the Authority concluded that the preparation should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser, but it could not conclude on the eye irritancy potential of the preparation. Furthermore, the Authority concluded that the addition of the preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357 at a minimum level of 1 × 109 CFU/kg fresh plant material has the potential to improve the production and fermentation quality of silage made from moderately difficult to ensile fresh plant material. However, it could not conclude on the efficacy of the preparation on easy to ensile and difficult to ensile plant materials. 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 the preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357 satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that preparation should be authorised for all animal species. 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,