Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Natugrain® Wheat TS (endo-1,4-beta-xylanase) as feed additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys reared for breeding, minor avian species for fattening and reared for laying or breeding (including ducks) and ornamental birds

The additive Natugrain® Wheat TS is a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (xylanase) produced by a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger. This product is authorised as a feed additive for chickens and turkeys for fattening and for ducks. The applicant requested for an extension of use of the additive to new poultry species and for a modification on the current authorisation in chickens for fattening and ducks. On the basis of the safety previously established for the major poultry species, Natugrain® Wheat TS was considered safe for all avian species for fattening and reared for laying or breeding and ornamental birds at a maximum dose of 840 TXU per kg feed. Efficacy previously established in turkeys for fattening applies to turkeys reared for breeding (560 TXU/kg). The additional evidence provided on the efficacy of the additive in chickens for fattening confirmed 280 TXU per kg feed as a minimum effective dose and applies also to chickens reared for laying. The efficacy demonstrated for chickens for fattening was extrapolated to minor poultry species (for fattening, reared for breeding or reared for laying) and ornamental birds at the dose of 280 TXU per kg feed