Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis PB6 ( Bacillus subtilis) as a feed additive for turkeys for fattening and turkeys reared for breeding

Bacillus subtilis PB6 is the trade name for a feed additive based on viable spores of a strain of Bacillus subtilis. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to establishing safety for the target species, consumers and the environment. This approach requires the identity of the active agent to be established and the absence of toxigenic potential and resistance to antibiotics of human or veterinary clinical significance to be demonstrated. EFSA considered these issues and reported the results in a previous opinion on the use of the product in chickens for fattening. The applicant is now requesting the authorisation of the additive in diets for turkeys for fattening and turkeys reared for breeding at a dose of 1 × 108 CFU/kg complete feedingstuffs. In the course of the former assessment, safety for users was also examined. In the view of the FEEDAP Panel, the use with these additional avian species will not introduce hazards not already considered. Therefore, in the current assessment, the FEEDAP Panel has considered only the efficacy data for turkeys for fattening and turkeys reared for breeding. Based on results of three trials carried out in turkeys for fattening, the Panel concluded that B. subtilis PB6 has the potential to improve the zootechnical performance parameters at the dose of 1 × 108 CFU/kg feed. This conclusion can be extended to turkeys reared for breeding.