Scientific Opinion on the efficacy of Suilectin TM (Phaseolus vulgaris lectins) as a zootechnical additive for suckling piglets (performance enhancer)

Suilectin(TM) is a preparation of Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney bean) lectins which contains a mixture of five phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) isoforms: PHA-E4, PHA-E3L, PHA-E2L2, PHA-EL3 and PHA-L4. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) issued an opinion on the safety and efficacy of Suilectin. as a zootechnical additive for suckling piglets. The Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive because the efficacy studies available were not acceptable for the assessment. As a result of additional information provided by the applicant, showing that piglet mortality during the suckling period was within the mortality range commonly observed on commercial pig farms, the FEEDAP Panel has now considered five long-term studies which are acceptable for the assessment of efficacy. The administration of Suilectin(TM) at the recommended dose of 660 haemagglutinating units (HAU)/piglet, whether administered in a single dose at 14 days of age or in three consecutive doses of 220 HAU/piglet/day between days 12 and 14 of age, does not have any effect during the suckling period (0-28 days of age). Although there is uncertainty arising from the study design, which does not allow a separate assessment of the potential effects of the additive and the litter, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that the proposed use of the additive might have some potential to improve the performance of the piglets during the post-weaning period (28-70 days of age).