The additive robenidine hydrocloride 66 g/kg (Cycostat 66G), hereinafter referred to as Cycostat 66G, linked to the holder of authorisation, Alpharma (Belgium) BVBA, belonging to the group of coccidiostats and other medicinal substances, was authorised under certain conditions in accordance with Council Directive 70/524/EEC2. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1800/20043 authorised that additive for 10 years for use for chickens for fattening, turkeys and rabbits for fattening. That additive was notified as an existing product in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Since all the information required under that provision was submitted, that additive was entered into the Community Register of Feed Additives.

Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the possibility of modifying the authorisation of an additive further to a request from the holder of the authorisation and an opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (the Authority). Alpharma (Belgium) BVBA, holder of the authorisation of Cycostat 66G, has submitted an application with which it proposes changing the conditions of the authorisation for chickens for fattening and for turkeys by introducing a maximum residue limit (MRL) and by modifying the withdrawal period, as evaluated by the Authority. At the same time it provided data to support that request.

In its opinion adopted on 16 September 20084, the Authority concluded that, based on safety considerations, there is no necessity for setting a withdrawal period for chickens for fattening and consequently for MRLs. It came to the same conclusions concerning turkeys. However, in case MRLs are required, it suggested values. It further proposed to maintain the five-day withdrawal period, to avoid off-flavours in edible tissues from poultry treated with Cycostat 66G.

To ensure a high level of safety for the consumers and to improve the control of the correct use of Cycostat 66G, it is appropriate to establish MRLs as proposed by the Authority. To keep acceptable organoleptic properties of meat, the withdrawal period should be maintained at five days.

Regulation (EC) No 1800/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,