When I first started hearing about Bovaer®, it resonated in the press with a feed supplement which could lead to human health issues and had recently gained approval by the Food Standards Agency for Arla to trial it with 30 of its farmers.
We saw outraged consumers calling out on the said ‘unsafe’ product for human consumption, and famers saying that they will not take part in the trial. But is that the whole story?
What is Bovaer® and how does it work?
Developed by dsm-firmenich, Bovaer® is a methane inhibitor aiming at reducing the environmental footprint of beef and dairy products. The company claims that ‘ just a quarter teaspoon per cow per day reduces methane emissions from dairy cattle by 30% and up to 45% for beef cattle, on average.’
When a cow digests its food, microbes break down the cellulose and this releases hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases. An enzyme in the cow rumen then combines that two gases, which forms methane. Added into cattle feed, Bovaer® acts by preventing the creation of the enzyme, therefore directly reducing the formation of methane during the cow’s digestion.
But why is this a game changer?
Livestock farming is an emitter of greenhouse gases and according to the Official Statistics Agri-climate report 2022, it is a major source of nitrous oxide and methane emissions in the UK, accounting for respectively 71% and 49% of emissions for those gases in the UK in 2021. However, decreasing the carbon footprint associated with livestock production is high on farmers agenda, with 62% of them thinking it is important to consider GSGs when making farm business decisions (The 2023 Farm Practices Survey).
Many farmers can take steps to reduce the environmental footprint of their livestock. In its ‘Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Farm Level’ guide, Innovation for Agriculture highlights different solutions that can have a high impact on reducing GHG levels:
· Displacing soya which is contained in large quantities in animal feed with another domestic-grown source of protein such as beans, can have a big impact on reducing overall GHG emissions.
· Improving overall livestock health to maximise feed efficiency
· Feed additives can be added to cow diets, such as Bovaer® but also seaweed and biochar.
Now back to Bovaer®…
After hearing about the feed supplement being used as part of an Arla trial on 30 of its farms across the UK, we have seen consumers pouring litres of milk down their sinks. This is based on claims that the compound ‘3-NOP’ is found in the additive, which the FSA have pointed out in a report last year that it “should be considered corrosive to the eyes, a skin irritant, and potentially harmful by inhalation” to humans handling it. However, the FSA and other UK regulators have conducted extensive risk assessments. These evaluations determined that 3-NOP poses no health risks to humans in the trace amounts present in Bovaer®-treated milk. Moreover, regulatory bodies in the European Union, the United States, and Australia have similarly approved the product for use, citing its safety and effectiveness in reducing livestock methane emissions.
It’s worth noting that the adoption of Bovaer® and similar feed additives is not without challenges. Farmers must weigh the costs of implementation, potential consumer backlash, and the overall effectiveness of the product in their unique farming systems. Yet, initiatives like the Arla trial aim to bridge these gaps by providing real-world data on Bovaer®’s performance in UK farming conditions.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding Bovaer® highlights a broader tension between innovation and public perception. While the science supports its safety and effectiveness, regaining consumer trust will require transparent communication and education about its benefits—not just for the environment but also for the future of sustainable agriculture.
so trace amounts of 3-NOP ARE to be found in bovaer produced milk. Why should any consumer be complied to consume it? Whether it harms you or not, its a synthetic chemical going into your food. There are no grounds for justifying that!! The other elephant in the room is that cows are NOT the problem.