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At the end of November, Arla Foods initiated a trial of the feed additive Bovaer across 30 farms in the UK, aiming to significantly reduce methane emissions from dairy cows.

However, the announcement has sparked a fierce backlash from consumers and farmers alike, raising critical questions about food safety and the future of sustainable dairy farming.

A new approach to methane emissions

Bovaer, developed by DSM-Firmenich, is designed to be added in small quantities to cattle feed and has been shown to reduce methane emissions by 30-45%. With methane being a potent greenhouse gas, this innovation could play a crucial role in the dairy sector's efforts to lower its carbon footprint.

Arla’s collaboration with major retailers such as Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi aims to integrate Bovaer into standard feeding routines, marking a significant step in the industry's push for sustainability.

Paul Dover, UK agricultural director at Arla, emphasised the potential of Bovaer: “We know that reducing methane is a big opportunity when it comes to improving our carbon footprint at farm level and feed additives like Bovaer have huge potential in helping us tackle this issue".

He continued: "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".

Consumer backlash and misinformation

Despite the promise of Bovaer, the trial has ignited a wave of protests, with some consumers pouring milk down drains in opposition.

Critics have raised concerns about the safety of the additive, particularly regarding its components, which include 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). Social media has been rife with misinformation, linking Bovaer to unfounded conspiracy theories, including claims of involvement from billionaire Bill Gates.

The UK Food Standards Agency has reassured the public that milk from cows fed Bovaer is safe to drink, asserting that the additive does not pass into milk or meat.

Experts have echoed these sentiments, highlighting that Bovaer has undergone rigorous safety assessments and has been approved for use in multiple countries.

The rapid spread of misinformation on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has complicated public discourse around Bovaer. Social media analysis firm Brandwatch reported a surge in mentions of Bovaer, skyrocketing from virtually zero to over 71,000 in just days following Arla's announcement.

This has led to a polarised debate, with some users expressing genuine concerns while others propagate conspiracy theories.

Jack Bobo from the University of Nottingham highlighted the importance of understanding the science behind Bovaer, noting that misconceptions often stem from misinterpretations of safety assessments. “The concerns appear to come from misunderstandings about the product's approval and safety,” he commented.

Industry response and future implications

In light of the backlash, Arla has released statements to clarify the safety and efficacy of Bovaer, dismissing the misinformation circulating online. The company remains committed to reducing its climate impact without compromising consumer safety or animal welfare.

In a statement, DSM-Firmenich said: "As with any supplement, Bovaer has been tested over many years in many countries. It has been the subject of over 150 studies and has been approved for use by regulators in the UK, the EU and many other countries".

"The current misinformation around Bovaer is just another example of how scare stories can proliferate online. 'Fake news' is now incredibly common, but we should stick to the facts: this is an important scientific innovation in the fight against climate change, and it has been confirmed as totally safe, both for the cow and for consumers of milk and dairy products."

As the trial progresses, the industry is closely monitoring the situation. The National Farmers Union has reiterated that Bovaer has been tested extensively and poses no risk to consumers or animals when used as directed.

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