Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety of the enzymatic product Avizyme 1500 for use as feed additive for laying hens

Avizyme 1500 is an enzyme preparation containing xylanase derived from genetically modified Trichoderma longibrachiatum, subtilisin (protease) derived from genetically modified Bacillus subtilis, alpha-amylase produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and polygalacturonase produced by Aspergillus aculeatus. The final product consists of approximately 10% enzyme preparation stabilized onto approximately 90% wheat carrier, with calcium propionate included as a preservative. Avizyme 1500 is currently approved for use in the EU as feed additive for use in feedingstuffs for chickens for fattening. The Notifier is now seeking an authorisation for Avizyme 1500 for inclusion in cereal-based diets for laying hens to be used throughout the life of the animal. A tolerance test carried out with laying hens over a 12-week period with the recommended dose (0.75 g kg-1) and 20 times the recommended dose (15 g kg-1) of Avizyme 1500 produced no evidence of any adverse effect on performance or mortality. Therefore FEEDAP Panel concluded that the safety of Avizyme 1500 for laying hens has been demonstrated.