Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety and efficacy of the enzymatic preparation Hemicell® Feed Enzyme (β-D-mannanase) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003

Hemicell® Feed Enzyme is an enzyme preparation produced by a strain of Bacillus lentus, using a conventional fermentation technique. The product is a water-based, stabilized, brown liquid preparation that contains a minimum of 7.2 x 108 U L-1 of β-D-mannanase activity. It is intended for use in chickens for fattening at a recommended dose of 79200 U kg-1 complete feedingstuffs. The addition of Hemicell® Feed Enzyme at the recommended dose significantly improved body weight gain in four trials and feed conversion in three trials. The meta-analysis of the data of four experiments confirmed the results of the individual studies. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that evidence of efficacy of Hemicell® Feed Enzyme has been provided at the recommended dose in chickens for fattening. Chickens for fattening tolerated 12 times the recommended dose of Hemicell® Feed Enzyme in feed, and therefore, the use of 79200 U kg-1 is considered by the FEEDAP Panel to be safe for chickens for fattening. The FEEDAP Panel also considers that the use of Hemicell® Feed Enzyme would not pose a risk for the consumer and the environment. The same applies for the users provided appropriate protective measures are taken