Safety and efficacy of Hostazym^® X (endo-1,4-beta-xylanase) as a feed additive for sows in order to have benefit in piglets

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of HOSTAZYM ^® X as a feed additive for sows in order to have benefit in piglets. The additive HOSTAZYM ^® X contains endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and is available in liquid and solid formulations. This product is authorised as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, laying hens, minor poultry species for fattening and laying, weaned piglets, pigs for fattening and carps. The applicant has now requested to extend the authorisation to sows in order to have benefit in piglets. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the new use of the additive would not change the previous conclusions regarding the safety for the consumer, user and environment. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that there are no concerns for consumer safety and no risks for the environment are expected. Considering the safety for the user, it was concluded that the additive should be considered a potential skin and eye irritant, and a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser. A tolerance study was submitted to support the safety of the additive in the new target species/category. The results showed that sows tolerated well a 100-fold the recommended enzyme activity level in feed. Consequently, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for sows at 1,500 EPU/kg feed. A total of four studies were submitted to support the efficacy of the additive, one of which was not considered further in the assessment due to the high mortality registered in piglets. In the other three, a significant and positive effect on a relevant parameter was found in only one trial. Therefore, the Panel concluded that there is insufficient information to conclude on the efficacy of the additive.