Safety Assessment on the Safety and Efficacy of an Additive of 6-Phytase (VTR-Phytase) as a Feed Additive for All Avian Species and All Pigs (RP1026/1027)

An application was submitted to the Food Standards Agency in April 2021 from Victory Enzymes GmbH (‘the applicant’) for the new authorisation of an additive (VTR-phytase) containing 6-phytase, under the category ‘zootechnical additives’ and functional group ‘digestibility enhancers’. The additive is proposed to be used at an inclusion rate of 500 U/kg of complete feed (12% moisture) for all avian species and all pigs. To support the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) in evaluating the dossier, the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF) were asked to review the dossier and the supplementary information from the applicant. The FSA/FSS concluded, based on the ACAF’s advice, that the additive was correctly characterised. No conclusion could be reached on the stability and homogeneity of the product. No further concerns were raised for Section II of the dossier. The additive can be considered safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. The active substance is non-irritant to the skin and eyes, but the additive should be regarded as skin and respiratory sensitiser. Given the high dusting potential of the powder formulation, it is advised to limit user/worker exposure through inhalation. VTR-phytase has the potential to be efficacious for all avian species, sows and pigs for fattening, and is efficacious in piglets when used at the proposed dose of 500 U/kg of complete feed with 12% moisture. Conclusions can be extrapolated to all Suidae at the corresponding developmental level. The views of ACAF have been taken into account in the safety assessment which represents the opinion of the FSA and FSS.