The 18 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum are each intended to improve ensiling at proposed doses ranging from 5 x 106 to 1.0 x 109 colony-forming units/kg forage. The bacterial species L. plantarum is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the Qualified Presumption of Safety approach to safety assessment. As the identity of all 18 strains was clearly established and as no antibiotic resistance of concern was detected, the use of the 18 strains in silage production is presumed safe for livestock species, consumers of products from animals and the environment. The material safety data sheet proposed indicates that preparations containing the strains may cause irritation on contact with skin or eyes. In addition, given the dusting potential and proteinaceous nature of the active agents, the FEEDAP Panel considers it prudent to treat all 18 additives as skin and respiratory sensitisers. Studies with laboratory-scale silos are described for each strain, each lasting at least 90 days, made using forage samples representing materials that are easy, moderately difficult and difficult to ensile. Nine of 18 additives showed potential at the minimum doses proposed to improve the production of silage from a wide range of forage species by reducing the pH and increasing the preservation of dry matter. A further strain also showed similar potential, but only when used in combination with a specific strain of Pediococcus pentosaceus. Of the remaining strains, six were tested only with material that is easy to ensile. Although all six showed
potential to improve ensiling, as no data were provided using forages with a broader range of characteristics influencing the ensiling process, the Panel concluded that further evidence would be required to justify a claim for use with ―all forage species‖. The Panel was unable to draw conclusions on the efficacy of the remaining two strains.
