Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety and efficacy of the product “Levucell SC20/Levucell SC10ME”, a preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a feed additive for dairy goats and dairy ewes

The microbial feed additive Levucell SC20/Levucell SC10ME, a product consisting of dried cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is authorised without time limit for use in dairy cows and cattle for fattening. The European Commission has now received a request from the company Lallemand SAS for authorisation of the product Levucell SC20/Levucell SC10ME to be used as a feed additive for dairy goats and dairy ewes. Evidence for efficacy of the additive Levucell SC was demonstrated in one study with dairy goats at the minimum recommended dose, and one with dairy ewes at the recommended dose. The current knowledge indicates that the mode of action of yeasts is essentially similar in the rumen of cattle, sheep and goats. Since the product is already authorised for dairy cows, the FEEDAP Panel considers the two experiments in the minor species to be sufficient to demonstrate efficacy. No adverse effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CNCM I-1077) overdosage (20 times maximum recommended dose) was observed on dairy goats. The data provided for tolerance in dairy sheep, particularly the lack of information on the effect on milk production, do not allow the FEEDAP Panel to conclude directly on safety for this target species. However, considering that this additive has been demonstrated safe for two physiologically related major species (beef and dairy cattle), and that Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been incorporated into feeds for a variety of livestock species, including ruminants, for many years apparently without adverse effects, the FEEDAP Panel considers it unlikely that Levucell SC represents a hazard for either dairy ewes or goats, even when supplied in overdose. The FEEDAP Panel also considers it unlikely that this extension of use would introduce hazards that have not already been considered for users, consumers of products from animals given the additive or for the wider environment.