A strain of Lactobacillus plantarum is intended to improve the ensiling process of all forages at a minimum dose of 1 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU)/kg fresh material. This species is considered by the European Food Safety Authority to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. As the identity of the strain has been established and as no antibiotic resistance of concern was detected, the use of the strain in the production of silage is presumed safe for livestock species, for consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage and for the environment. The additive should be regarded as a skin and eye irritant and a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser and should be treated accordingly. Based on three studies provided, L. plantarum apparently reduces protein degradation in silage as indicated by the reduction of ammonia production, without consistent effects on the other parameters measured. This was observed with easy, moderately difficult and difficult to ensile forage materials at a minimum dose of 1 × 109 CFU/kg fresh material.
