Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-arginine (produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 20516) for all animal species (Eppen Europe SAS)

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting of l-arginine produced by fermentation using a non-genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (CGMCC 20516). The additive is intended to be used in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The production strain was considered suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. No viable cells of C. glutamicum CGMCC 20516 were detected in the final product. l-Arginine produced using C. glutamicum CGMCC 20516 is safe for the target species when supplemented in appropriate amounts to the diet according to the nutritional needs of the target species, for the consumer and for the environment. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of l-arginine produced by C. glutamicum CGMCC 20516 for the users. The additive l-arginine produced by fermentation using C. glutamicum CGMCC 20516 is regarded as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-arginine for non-ruminant species. For the supplemental l-arginine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen.