Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of AviPlus® as feed additive for chickens and minor avian species for fattening and reared for laying and minor porcine species (weaned)

AviPlus® is the trade name for a feed additive based on two organic acids (citric and sorbic acids), the monoterpene thymol and vanillin. The additive is currently authorised as a zootechnical feed additive for weaned piglets at a dose of 1000 – 3000 mg/kg complete feed. The applicant is now applying for the further authorisation of AviPlus® for use with chickens and minor avian species for fattening and reared for laying at a dose of 200-500 mg/kg complete feed, and for minor porcine species (weaned) at a dose of 1000 – 3000 mg/kg complete feed. Data was provided in the form of two tolerance studies and a further six efficacy trials which showed that AviPlus® has the potential to be efficacious at a minimum dose of 200 mg/kg complete feedingstuffs and is safe up to a dose of 500 mg/kg complete feedingstuffs in chickens for fattening. This conclusion also applies to chickens reared for laying. As safety and efficacy has been demonstrated in a physiologically-relevant major species, safety and efficacy can be presumed for all minor avian species for fattening or reared for laying when the additive is used at the same dose range. Since AviPlus® has been previously demonstrated as efficacious and safe for piglets (weaned) and is authorised for a dose range of 1000 - 3000 mg /kg complete feedingstuffs, safety and efficacy can be presumed for use in minor porcine species over a developmental period corresponding to the weaned piglet at the same dose range.