Lurpak Owner Defends Methane-Reducing Feed Supplement Amid Boycott Calls
Source: DairyNews.today
Arla Foods, the owner of Danish butter brand Lurpak, has defended its trial of a methane-suppressing feed supplement for cows, following a wave of online calls for a boycott of its products.
The trial, aimed at reducing climate-heating methane emissions from cows, involves the use of the feed additive Bovaer, which is being tested across 30 farms in the UK in partnership with retailers Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco. Research indicates that Bovaer can reduce methane emissions from cows by an average of 27%. However, the initiative has raised concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the supplement, as well as its potential impact on animal health and welfare.
In response, many British consumers have voiced opposition to the project, with several calling for a boycott of Arla products, particularly Lurpak. Some shoppers mistakenly believed that the methane-suppressing additive was being added directly to milk, prompting claims that the company was “going woke.” Others cited a false connection between Arla and tech billionaire Bill Gates, despite no involvement from Gates in the trial.
One social media user wrote, “Just chucked my Lurpak in the bin,” while another posted, “I’m not prepared to support them anymore if they are adding this chemical to milk.”
An Arla spokesperson refuted these claims, emphasizing that the feed additive does not pass into the milk and that Bovaer has already been used safely in Europe. “The information circulating online about our link to Bill Gates is completely false,” the spokesperson said, adding that Bovaer’s safety has been confirmed by regulatory bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The FSA confirmed that all approved feed additives, including Bovaer, undergo rigorous safety assessments to ensure they meet UK market standards and do not pose risks to animal health or consumer safety.
Arla's trial aims to assess the potential for large-scale use of methane-reducing feed additives across UK farms, as part of the company’s broader sustainability efforts. Paul Dover, UK agricultural director at Arla Foods, acknowledged the challenges in scaling up the use of such additives due to the associated costs but emphasized their potential in reducing methane emissions at the farm level.
“We know that reducing methane is a significant opportunity in improving our carbon footprint, and feed additives like Bovaer have huge potential in helping us tackle this issue,” Dover said.
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has also weighed in, with Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins noting that while EFSA-approved products could be valuable in reducing methane emissions, concerns about their long-term efficacy and impact on animal health remain. Tompkins stressed the need for strong evidence to give farmers confidence in using such products and welcomed the trial as a step toward gathering that data.
Arla’s initiative is part of the company’s wider strategy to mitigate the environmental impact of its dairy production and explore more sustainable farming practices.
In response, many British consumers have voiced opposition to the project, with several calling for a boycott of Arla products, particularly Lurpak. Some shoppers mistakenly believed that the methane-suppressing additive was being added directly to milk, prompting claims that the company was “going woke.” Others cited a false connection between Arla and tech billionaire Bill Gates, despite no involvement from Gates in the trial.
One social media user wrote, “Just chucked my Lurpak in the bin,” while another posted, “I’m not prepared to support them anymore if they are adding this chemical to milk.”
An Arla spokesperson refuted these claims, emphasizing that the feed additive does not pass into the milk and that Bovaer has already been used safely in Europe. “The information circulating online about our link to Bill Gates is completely false,” the spokesperson said, adding that Bovaer’s safety has been confirmed by regulatory bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The FSA confirmed that all approved feed additives, including Bovaer, undergo rigorous safety assessments to ensure they meet UK market standards and do not pose risks to animal health or consumer safety.
Arla's trial aims to assess the potential for large-scale use of methane-reducing feed additives across UK farms, as part of the company’s broader sustainability efforts. Paul Dover, UK agricultural director at Arla Foods, acknowledged the challenges in scaling up the use of such additives due to the associated costs but emphasized their potential in reducing methane emissions at the farm level.
“We know that reducing methane is a significant opportunity in improving our carbon footprint, and feed additives like Bovaer have huge potential in helping us tackle this issue,” Dover said.
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has also weighed in, with Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins noting that while EFSA-approved products could be valuable in reducing methane emissions, concerns about their long-term efficacy and impact on animal health remain. Tompkins stressed the need for strong evidence to give farmers confidence in using such products and welcomed the trial as a step toward gathering that data.
Arla’s initiative is part of the company’s wider strategy to mitigate the environmental impact of its dairy production and explore more sustainable farming practices.
Key News of the Week
