Safety and efficacy of Bonvital(®) (Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134) as a feed additive for laying hens

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bonvital(®) for laying hens. Bonvital(®) is an additive containing viable cells of Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 marketed in two forms, a granular and a powder form, both with a guaranteed minimum concentration of E. faecium DSM 7134 of 1.0 × 10(10) colony forming units (CFU)/g additive. Bonvital(®) in either form is intended for use in feed for laying hens at the minimum concentration of 1.0 × 10(9) CFU/kg complete feed and at the maximum concentration of 1.0 × 10(10) CFU/kg feedingstuffs. Bonvital powder(®) is also proposed for use in water for drinking at the minimum concentration of 5.0 × 10(8) CFU/L. The use of Bonvital(®) in animal nutrition is considered safe for the target animals. The results of a tolerance trial in which hens were fed the additive at 10‐fold the maximum recommended dose support this conclusion. Delivery of comparable doses of the additive via water for drinking is considered as safe for laying hens. Bonvital(®) at the proposed conditions of use is safe for consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and for the environment. Bonvital(®) is not a dermal or ocular irritant but a potential dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Bonvital(®) has the potential to be efficacious in improving the hen's performance when supplemented at 1.0 × 10(9) CFU/kg feed or 5.0 × 10(8) CFU/L water for drinking.