by Jyothsna Nelloolichalil, Milling and Grain
A wave of controversy has erupted on social media, with some UK users protesting Arla Foods’ trial of a methane-reducing feed additive, Bovaer, by pouring milk down sinks and toilets. Arla, the UK’s largest dairy cooperative and part of the Danish-Swedish company Arla Foods, announced in late November that 30 of its farms would participate in the trial. Bovaer, created by dsm-firmenich, claims to reduce methane emissions in cows by 30-45 percent when added in small quantities to their feed.
The trial is supported by major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Morrisons, and Aldi, which will stock milk produced from cows consuming the additive. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is primarily released during cows’ digestion as they break down tough fibres like grass. Bovaer works by suppressing the enzymes responsible for methane production in the stomach, and the National Farmers Union (NFU) assures that the additive is fully metabolised and does not appear in milk or meat.
Despite these claims, online users have voiced concerns about the safety of Bovaer, with some citing issues related to its ingredients. Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has even called for an urgent government review of the additive.
Social media fallout
The announcement of the Bovaer trial on 26 November sparked an immediate and polarising reaction online. Arla’s social media post announcing its partnership with Tesco, Aldi, and Morrisons garnered nearly six million views and thousands of comments by early December. According to BBC, mentions of Bovaer on X (formerly Twitter) surged from nearly zero to over 71,000 in just a few days.
While some users raised genuine concerns about the additive’s safety, others linked the trial to broader conspiracy theories. Many of these users had a history of sharing anti-vaccine and climate-change-denying content.
Concerns surrounding Bovaer’s composition and safety
Critics have focused on the components of Bovaer, which include silicon dioxide, propylene glycol, and the synthetic organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). A report by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) last year flagged 3-NOP as potentially corrosive to the eyes, a skin irritant, and harmful if inhaled by humans handling it. Some farmers have expressed hesitation about using the additive due to these safety concerns.
However, dsm-firmenich has defended the product, emphasising its rigorous safety assessments and approvals by regulatory bodies in the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and the US. The company states that Bovaer is included in feed at a ratio of one gram per 20 kilograms of feed, ensuring safe and effective use.
Natasha Smith, Deputy Director of Food Policy of the UK reiterated that Bovaer underwent thorough evaluation as part of the FSA’s market authorisation process.
Additionally, dsm-firmenich denied allegations of involvement by Bill Gates in the development of Bovaer, addressing conspiracy theories circulating on social media.
Despite the backlash, the trial represents a significant step in tackling methane emissions, a major contributor to global warming. dsm-firmenich notes that using Bovaer could reduce CO₂-equivalent emissions by one tonne per dairy cow annually, highlighting its potential role in reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.
As the debate continues, the trial’s outcome may shape the future of sustainable dairy farming in the UK and beyond.
Published in the January 2025 issue of Milling and Grain.
