| Summary: | A strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is intended to be added to forages to promote the ensiling process (technological additive, functional group: silage additive). The identity of the strain and its susceptibility to relevant antibiotics has been established. However, the strain produces cyclic lipopeptides which possess potent surfactant activity, known to be involved in food intoxication. Although the strain is intended for use only in the production of silage, as a spore former it will survive the ensiling process and be ingested by target animals. The spores will also survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of animals and be a potential source of contamination of food of animal origin and of the environment. The greatest risk would be to those handling the product on farm following oral, dermal and respiratory exposure. Consequently, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that use of the strain in the production of silage presents a hazard to consumers, users and the environment, and potentially also to the target animals. A total of three laboratory experiments with laboratory-scale silos, each lasting at least 90 days, were carried out using samples of forage of differing dry matter and water-soluble carbohydrate content. In each case, replicate silos containing treated forage were compared with identical silos containing the same but untreated forage. The potential of the additive to improve aerobic stability of silages at the proposed dose of 5.0 x 107 CFU/kg fresh materials was not convincingly demonstrated.
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