UK Dairy Farmers Trial Methane-Reducing Supplement in Climate Initiative
Source: DairyNews.today
Farmers in Britain’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla Foods, are testing a new methane-suppressing feed additive developed by European bioscience firm DSM-Firmenich with backing from billionaire Bill Gates.
The supplement, Bovaer, aims to reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 30% and has drawn support from major UK supermarket chains, including Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco, as part of their broader sustainability goals.
Tackling Methane Emissions
The trial involves 30 dairy farms within the Arla cooperative, with Bovaer being added to the cows’ feed. The active ingredient, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), inhibits enzymes in the cow's stomach responsible for methane production during digestion. Studies indicate that milk and meat from cows fed with Bovaer are free of the drug’s metabolites, making it safe for consumption.
In a joint statement, supermarket partners emphasized the importance of addressing emissions from agriculture: “Using feed additives like Bovaer offers a scalable solution to reduce emissions and align food production with our climate commitments.”
Bovaer has gained regulatory approval in markets such as Canada, but adoption has been limited due to cost concerns. The initiative underscores the increasing role of private and public partnerships in tackling agricultural emissions.
Climate and Controversy
Efforts to reduce methane emissions have gained traction as scientists emphasize its potency as a greenhouse gas—28 times stronger than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Cattle emissions, primarily released through belching, account for a significant portion of agricultural methane.
The introduction of methane-reducing technologies has sparked a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. While advocates highlight its potential to align dairy production with sustainability goals, critics argue that methane from cattle is part of a natural carbon cycle, unlike emissions from fossil fuels. Additionally, some consumers have voiced concerns on social media, threatening to boycott dairy products from farms using feed additives.
Global Push for Low-Emission Agriculture
The use of Bovaer is part of a broader movement to curb methane emissions in agriculture. In August, UK researchers received a $9.4 million grant from a fund established by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to develop a methane-reducing vaccine for cattle. In Canada, livestock genetics firm Semex has introduced a "methane efficiency" index, enabling farmers to breed cows with lower emissions profiles.
Despite these advances, the discussion around methane reduction remains complex. While methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifespan of 9 to 12 years compared to carbon dioxide, its immediate warming potential has placed it under intense scrutiny in global climate debates.
Tackling Methane Emissions
The trial involves 30 dairy farms within the Arla cooperative, with Bovaer being added to the cows’ feed. The active ingredient, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), inhibits enzymes in the cow's stomach responsible for methane production during digestion. Studies indicate that milk and meat from cows fed with Bovaer are free of the drug’s metabolites, making it safe for consumption.
In a joint statement, supermarket partners emphasized the importance of addressing emissions from agriculture: “Using feed additives like Bovaer offers a scalable solution to reduce emissions and align food production with our climate commitments.”
Bovaer has gained regulatory approval in markets such as Canada, but adoption has been limited due to cost concerns. The initiative underscores the increasing role of private and public partnerships in tackling agricultural emissions.
Climate and Controversy
Efforts to reduce methane emissions have gained traction as scientists emphasize its potency as a greenhouse gas—28 times stronger than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Cattle emissions, primarily released through belching, account for a significant portion of agricultural methane.
The introduction of methane-reducing technologies has sparked a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. While advocates highlight its potential to align dairy production with sustainability goals, critics argue that methane from cattle is part of a natural carbon cycle, unlike emissions from fossil fuels. Additionally, some consumers have voiced concerns on social media, threatening to boycott dairy products from farms using feed additives.
Global Push for Low-Emission Agriculture
The use of Bovaer is part of a broader movement to curb methane emissions in agriculture. In August, UK researchers received a $9.4 million grant from a fund established by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to develop a methane-reducing vaccine for cattle. In Canada, livestock genetics firm Semex has introduced a "methane efficiency" index, enabling farmers to breed cows with lower emissions profiles.
Despite these advances, the discussion around methane reduction remains complex. While methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifespan of 9 to 12 years compared to carbon dioxide, its immediate warming potential has placed it under intense scrutiny in global climate debates.
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