The mixture of two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and one strain of Lactobacillus buchneri is intended to be used as a technological additive to improve the ensiling process at the minimum proposed dose of 1.0 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU)/kg fresh matter of silage for cattle and sheep. The species L. plantarum and L. buchneri are considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. As the identity of all strains was clearly established and as no antibiotic resistance of concern was detected, the use of the strains in the production of silage is presumed safe for livestock, consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage and the environment. The additive should be considered to have the potential to be a skin and eye irritant and a skin and respiratory sensitiser and should be treated accordingly. The additive composed of two strains of L. plantarum and a strain of L. buchneri, has the potential to improve the production of silage from easy, moderately difficult and difficult to ensile forage materials. However, the Panel is not in the position to indicate a minimum effective dose.
