Is Bovaer, the cattle feed supplement tested by Arla leading to a major supermarket boycott?

A new attempt to add a methane-suppressing additive to cattle feed has prompted online shoppers to threaten a boycott of three major supermarkets.

Arla Foods announced the trial of the supplement last Tuesday as part of efforts to reduce emissions produced by cows on the production line.

The feed additive known as Bovaer will be used in a trial across 30 English farms, the company announced in a post on X last week that has been viewed nearly six million times, in a move that says “represents a great opportunity to reduce emissions. in the fields”.

Arla, which is the UK’s largest farmer-owned dairy co-operative, is to be joined by Aldi, Morrisons and Tesco in the trial.

But the announcement has received 13,000 replies in X and has led to swathes of people pouring milk down the toilet and throwing tubs of Lurpak in the trash, claiming that Bovaer is poisonous and can harm cows, farmers and consumers.

Arla has faced significant online backlash, with consumers filming themselves throwing the product in the bin (AFP/Getty)

Is Bovaer tested and what is it?

Arla says Bovaer can reduce methane emissions produced by cattle up to 27 percent.

Reducing methane emissions is one of the “fastest and most cost-effective tools to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C”, a British government report found by 2022. Methane accounts for about 13 percent of UK greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2021 – the last year with publicly available data – agriculture was behind 49 per cent of methane emissions in the UK, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

According to the producer of the supplement, DSM-Firmenich, Bovaer suppresses an enzyme in the cow’s rumen that combines hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methane. This means less methane is released by cows into the atmosphere.

The company’s website says it is “proven safe for animals, farmers and consumers”. In response to critics online in the UK, the company said 150 trials worldwide and 85 articles in peer-reviewed journals support its efficacy.

Cows will not produce much methane if they use Boevar, it is expected (Getty)

Why has there been a backlash?

Arla’s online announcement sparked outrage online, particularly among climate change deniers and conspiracy theorists because the product was linked to software billionaire Bill Gates.

One response to a post on X, liked more than 14,000 times, said: “You are crazy to think that adding toxic chemicals to cow food that can harm farmers and cows will help change the planet’s climate. I will avoid ALL your products.

“Cows have been farting since cows existed, and the climate is always changing,” wrote one consumer.

Another said the company had made a “big mistake”, adding: “Once word gets around people will avoid your product. We don’t want that poison in our food. Change plans or go bankrupt.”

A fourth wrote: “I used to buy your products (mostly protein shakes and yoghurt) but it won’t be long until you stop using Bovaer. I will also boycott Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi as they continue to play this part. Anyone with me ?”

Posts calling for boycotts of Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi gained significant engagement, with some even taking to TikTok to urge others to join the boycott. A viral online video has shown people flushing milk down the toilet down the sink because they refuse to consume the product made by Arla.

DSM Firmenich was forced to state that Bill Gates – the subject of several conspiracy theories – was not involved in the company. “Bill Gates is not involved in the development of Bovaer,” said the company.

How safe is Boevar?

DSM-Firmenich said the UK’s Food Standards Agency had approved the use of Boevar based on “evidence that it does not harm the animal or affect the health, productivity or quality of the milk”. He added: “They concluded that the product is safe to use, for both animals and humans, and is effective in reducing methane emissions.”

When used as recommended, Boevar is “completely metabolised” by the cow meaning it is “not present in milk or meat, so there is no consumer exposure”.

There are no health risks and the substance does not affect milk production or reproduction, the company added.

Arla Foods and DSM-Firmenich said there was “no consumer exposure” to Boevar (AFP/Getty)

Arla Foods made the claim in a statement issued in response to the backlash. The statement added: “Along with the 2,000 farmers across the UK who own Arla, we work hard to produce healthy, high-quality food every day. We work to ensure this is done safely, while also working to reduce our impact on the environment. Morrisons and Aldi said sure to be in line with Arla’s latest statement when contacted The Independent.

National Farmers Union Dairy Council chairman Paul Tompkins said there were still questions about Boevar’s “long-term effectiveness” and how effectively it could be used on farms.

“This latest trial, on products that have been approved by the Food Standards Agency as safe for consumers, may help provide some of that evidence,” he said.

The Independent has contacted Tesco for comment.