Efficacy of the feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensis NRRL B‐67259 (Correlink™ ABS1781) as a feed additive for all growing poultry species (Elanco GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of a product consisting of spores of Bacillus velezensis NRRL B‐67257 as a zootechnical additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding and minor poultry species. The additive has the tradename Correlink™ ABS1781 Bacillus subtilis and is not currently authorised in the EU. It is intended for use in complete feed for the target species at a minimum inclusion level of 1.5 × 10(8) CFU/kg complete feed. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive for the poultry species due to the potential cross‐contamination of the control diets in two of the three studies provided. The applicant has provided supplementary information to exclude this possibility. The new data showed that the gene used as marker in the previous analyses is non‐specific of the NRRL B‐67259 strain, which precluded the adequate quantification of the active agent in the feeds used in the studies. Moreover, in a second analysis, the active agent could not be isolated from the field excreta samples collected from either the treated or the control group in the two formerly submitted efficacy studies. The Panel concluded that the methodology was not able to discriminate between the strain under assessment and the background. Additionally, two new efficacy trials with chickens for fattening were provided to support the efficacy of the additive. However, none could be further considered since the husbandry conditions in which the birds were kept were non‐compliant with Directive 2007/43/EC. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of Correlink™ ABS1781 for all growing poultry species.