Arla Foods – the Danish-Swedish company that owns the UK’s biggest dairy cooperative – is teaming up with major British retailers to trial a new feed additive that could significantly reduce methane emissions from dairy cows.
Arla Foods announced the trial on Tuesday and its UK agricultural director, Paul Dover, said: “Bringing partners together from across the food and grocery industry in this kind of initiative highlights the support there is for British farmers in transitioning to more sustainable farming methods.”
What is the point in the trial, who’s involved and what have the reactions been so far?
What did Arla announce?
On November 26, Arla announced a new project that it hopes will cut the UK’s methane emissions.
Methane is a greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change but how does it relate to farming and cattle? Cows have a compartment in their stomach called the rumen, which ferments digested food. As part of this process, methane is produced and then expelled by cattle via belching, which allows the gas to enter the atmosphere.
As part of the project, 30 of Arla’s farmers – alongside a number of retail partners – will trial the use of Bovaer, which reduces the enteric methane emissions from cows by 27 per cent on average. If successful, it is hoped more UK farmers will start to use the feed additives.
The initiative is part of Arla’s wider commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its dairy production. The organisation is aiming to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
What is Bovaer – and how is Bill Gates involved in the wider cause?
Bovaer is a feed additive that works by suppressing the enzyme in a cow’s stomach that produces methane. By doing so, less methane is produced in a cow’s stomach. The additive has been authorised for use in a number of countries, including Australia, Brazil and Canada, and was authorised for use in the UK in April.
In January 2023, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates invested millions into a rival start-up, Rumin 8, which develops similar methane-reducing supplements.
Which supermarkets are involved in the trial?
Arla is working alongside Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco in the trial. Tesco has its own Future Dairy Partnership with the brand, a farmer-led initiative which aims to “put sustainability at the heart of the dairy industry” through enhancing animal welfare and protecting nature.
In a joint statement, the supermarkets said: “Through collaboration as part of Arla’s FarmAhead Customer Partnership, we have the ability to address some of the climate challenges facing our food system. It is this collective approach that is really going to make a difference.”
“Being involved in using a feed additive is a great way of testing out where we can drive change at scale to bring down emissions.”
What are the reactions and concerns?
While many welcomed news of the trial, Arla’s post on X announcing the news was met with criticism from many, with some claiming they would boycott the brand because of chemicals found in Bovaer. “Will be avoiding Arla products like the plague,” wrote one X user.
We have just announced a new project with @Morrisons, @Tesco and @AldiUK to trial the use of feed additive, Bovaer® on ~30 Arla farms. Bovaer® can reduce emissions from cows by 27%, and this represents an amazing chance to reduce emissions on farm. #agriculture #climate pic.twitter.com/XaGmopwVJg
— Arla Foods UK (@ArlaFoodsUK) November 26, 2024
The additive is made of silicon dioxide, propylene glycol and organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol (known as 3-NOP).
Although it has been claimed the additive has no side effects on cows, a report by the Food Standards Agency last year found that 3-NOP “should be considered corrosive to the eyes, a skin irritant and potentially harmful by inhalation” to humans handling it.
However, animal nutrition specialist DSM said: “In every case, it [the additive] has proven safe for animal, farmer and consumer.”
