Arla holds firm on pursuing controversial methane-reduction additive for cows

Arla, based in Denmark, is currently reviewing results from trials using Bovaer for cows across more than 30 of its farms across the UK, which ended in the Autumn last year.

It is claimed Bovaer - a brand name for the additive 3-Nitrooxypropanol - could reduce cow methane emissions by between 30-45%, and help farmers be more environmentally-friendly.

It works by suppressing the enzymes in a cow's stomach that create the gas.

While the supplement was approved by the Food Standards Agency and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the launch of the trial in 2024 saw concerns raised over food safety, as well as misinformation and conspiracy theories posted online, with videos on social media of people flushing milk down the toilet.

The supplement has also been subject to investigation in Denmark after farmers raised fresh concerns about cow health, despite manufacturer DSM-Firmenich saying the additive was "proven, effective and safe".

Paul Dover, the UK Agricultural Director at Arla Foods, said the company is holding firm on its decision to pursue the supplement use on farms in Britain subject to results from the trial.

His comments came after being asked a question by an audience member about methane inhibitors while attending the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) AGM in Glasgow on Thursday as a guest speaker.

Mr Dover said: “Methane inhibitors are an enormously valuable reducer and lever in reducing carbon on farms.

“We will remain keen to understand how we can apply to use it in the future.

“We are certainly not moving away from our position on Bovaer and we are in constant dialogue with Defra too around the position.

“At the moment, what I can say is that our projects on the farms have come to an end and we are looking at the results and then we will share it.”

The announcement of the Bovaer trial in the UK, during which Arla worked with mainstream supermarkets, prompted a mixed response among the farming community in Scotland.

A website was quickly formed to list farms and dairies north of the border who confirmed were "Bovaer-free” by opting against using the methane-reducing feed additive.

One of the farms listed included Mossgiel Organic Farm, in Ayrshire. In a statement at the time, Bryce Cunningham, who runs the farm with his family, said “regenerative farming is our fix” for reducing methane.

“Reducing methane isn’t just about what goes into the cow - it’s about what’s happening around her,” he said,

“By improving soil health, sequestering carbon and promoting biodiversity, farmers are tackling emissions in a way that builds a better future for everyone.”

Other farms include The Coo Shed, in Ayrshire, and the organic dairy The Forest Farm and Invercamey Dairy, both in Aberdeenshire.

Scotland’s biggest dairy - Graham’s Dairy - also experienced a surge in calls over news of the trial. But the family dairy confirmed at the time that none of its farming partners were using the supplement.

The supplement, which is added in small quantities to cow feed, has been approved for use by UK regulators and the UK Government said milk from cows given Bovaer is safe to drink.