Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety and efficacy of the enzymatic preparation Natugrain Wheat TS (endo-1,4-beta-xylanase) as a feed additive for turkeys for fattening according to Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003

The additive Natugrain (R) Wheat TS is a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (E.C. 3.2.1.8) produced by a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger. This product is provisionally authorised for its use in chickens for fattening. The applicant is now seeking authorisation for use of this product as a feed additive for turkeys for fattening (category: zootechnical additives; functional group: digestibility enhancers). The safety of the genetic modification and the safety for consumer, user and environment have been already assessed and established in a previous opinion of the FEEDAP Panel in relation to an assessment for chickens for fattening. The FEEDAP Panel is not aware of any new information that might lead it to review its previous opinion. Consequently these are not considered further in this opinion, which deals only with the efficacy and safety for the target species. The additive is presented in two formulations, Natugrain (R) Wheat TS for the solid and Natugrain (R) Wheat TS L for the liquid one. Four studies have been presented that showed a significant effect on animal performance of turkeys fed diets rich in non-starch polysaccharides and supplemented with Natugrain (R) Wheat TS. Three of the studies showed the effect at a dose of 560 TXU kg(-1) and one at 840 TXU kg(-1). Therefore, the efficacy of Natugrain (R) Wheat TS has been demonstrated in turkeys for fattening at a dose of 560 TXU kg(-1). The minimum recommended dose claimed by the applicant (400 TXU kg(-1)) was not tested. Although the studies on safety for the target animals were performed with the solid formulation, the results are considered to apply to both forms of the product. The two tolerance trials provided showed that turkeys for fattening tolerated a 19-100-fold overdose of Natugrain (R) Wheat TS. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that use of the additive at the recommended conditions of use is safe for turkeys for fattening and efficacious at a minimum dose of 560 TXU kg(-1).