(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 Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520. 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 the preparation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520 as a feed additive for horses, dogs, cats and rabbits, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘technological additives’ and in the functional group ‘acidity regulators’.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 23 March 2023 (2) that, under the proposed conditions of use, the preparation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520 is safe for the target species, consumers of horse meat and the environment. The Authority also concluded that the additive is not a skin or an eye irritant, but, given the proteinaceous nature of the active agent, it should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. No conclusion could be drawn on the skin sensitisation potential of the additive. The Authority further concluded that incorporation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520 at a minimum concentration of 8,0 × 1010 CFU/kg into oat-derived products (ca. 55 % moisture content), carrot root-derived products (≥ 90 % moisture) and coconut flesh-derived products (≥ 90 % moisture) has the potential to reduce the pH of these feedingstuffs. 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)

The assessment of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520 should take into account the fact that rabbits are considered as food-producing animals in accordance with Article 1(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 429/2008 (3). In the 169th Plenary meeting of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (4), the Panel stated that as the Authority concluded in the opinion of 23 March 2023 that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520 qualified for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (‘QPS’) approach, the additive is considered safe for the consumers of rabbits fed with the additive.

(6)

In view of the above, the Commission considers that the preparation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 11520 satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that preparation should be authorised. 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.

(7)

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