Abstract
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on Enterococcus lactis NCIMB 10415 when used as a technological additive to improve ensiling of all types of fresh plant material for all animal species at a proposed minimum level of 1 × 10 8 colony forming units (CFU)/kg fresh plant material. The strain NCIMB 10415 was unambiguously identified as Enterococcus lactis, found not to belong to the hospital-associated clade of Enterococcus faecium and acquired antimicrobial resistance genes were not detected. Consequently, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that E. lactis NCIMB 10415 is safe for all animal species, for consumers of products from animals fed with the treated silage and for the environment. Regarding the safety for the user, the additive is considered irritant to eyes and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Therefore, any exposure is considered a risk. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the addition of E. lactis NCIMB 10415 at a minimum level of 1 × 10 8 CFU/kg to fresh plant material has the potential to improve the production and fermentation quality of silage made from all types of plant materials.