19.11.2016   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 313/14

(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(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 10(1) to (4) thereof sets out specific provisions for the evaluation of products used in the Union as silage additives.

(2)

In accordance with Article 10(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, sodium benzoate was entered in the Register of Feed Additives as existing product belonging to the functional group of silage additives, for all animal species.

(3)

In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 7 thereof, application was submitted for the authorisation of sodium benzoate and in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 applications were submitted for the authorisations of potassium sorbate, formic acid and sodium formate. Those applications were accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(4)

Those applications concern the authorisations of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, formic acid and sodium formate as feed additives for all animal species to be classified in the category ‘technological additives’.

(5)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 13 June 2012 (2) that, under the proposed conditions of use, sodium benzoate does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment; however it was considered as a potential sensitizer and a risk for inhalation cannot be excluded. The Authority also concluded that the additive has a potential to improve the production of silage by reducing the pH and increasing the preservation of dry matter in easy, moderate difficult and difficult to ensile material.

(6)

The Authority concluded in its opinion of 18 June 2013 (3) that, under the proposed conditions of use, potassium sorbate does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment; however it was considered irritant for skin and eyes and potential irritant to respiratory tract. The Authority also concluded that the additive has a potential to improve the aerobic stability of silage in easy and moderate difficult to ensile material.

(7)

The Authority concluded in its opinion of 11 September 2014 (4) that, under the proposed conditions of use, formic acid does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment; however it was considered corrosive for skin and eyes and respiratory tract. The Authority also concluded that the additive has a potential to improve the ensiling process and the quality of the silage in aerobic stability of silage in easy, in moderate difficult and difficult to ensile material.

(8)

The Authority concluded in its opinion of 11 March 2015 (5) that, under the proposed conditions of use, sodium formate does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment; however the liquid form was considered corrosive for skin and eyes and to respiratory tract. The Authority also concluded that the additive has a potential to improve the preservation of nutrients by reducing the dry matter loss in easy, moderate and difficult to ensile material.

(9)

For sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, formic acid and sodium formate, 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 additives in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(10)

The assessments of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, formic acid and sodium formate show that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the use of those additives should be authorised as specified in the Annex to this Regulation.

(11)

Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation of sodium benzoate, it is appropriate to allow a transitional period for interested parties to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the authorisation.

(12)

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