Compatibility of the microbial preparation of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (BioPlus 2B) with the coccidiostat lasalocid A sodium in feed for turkeys

Following a request from the European Commission (EC), the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to assess the compatibility of the micro-organism product BioPlus 2B with lasalocid A sodium when mixed in turkey feed. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the compatibility of BioPlus 2B with lasalocid A sodium (Avatec 15 %) was not established. In response to this, the applicant provided an in vivo trial with one-day-old turkeys given feed supplemented with BioPlus 2B or BioPlus 2B + lasalocid A sodium 15 % (30 birds per treatment). The results of this study did not reveal any significant differences between the experimental groups for the studied zootechnical parameters or morbidity/mortality. The absence of statistical differences in the total spore counts based on 30 animals per treatment provides evidence of the compatibility between lasalocid A sodium and BioPlus 2B in spore form. However, Bacillus spores are able to germinate in the digestive tract to an unknown extent and it is likely that the vegetative form would be more susceptible to coccidiostats. Data was provided which attempted to distinguish between the sensitivity of spores and vegetative cells but this was insufficient to allow statistical assessment. Consequently, the FEEDAP Panel is unable to conclude on the compatibility of BioPlus 2B with lasalocid A sodium.