Dublin conference challenges scepticism over methane‑cutting feed additive Bovaer

A conference in Dublin on Thursday, 24 September, heard push back against scepticism surrounding the livestock feed additive Bovaer.

The event, titled “On‑Farm Solutions: New Opportunities For Business Cases”, was organised by the international climate advocacy group Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) and held at the RDS. Speakers from Ireland’s agri‑sector discussed livestock feed additives that can reduce methane emissions from cows.

Sean McCarthy, on‑farm sustainability manager with Kinisla, said there is “plenty of science to support that [Bovaer] is safe to use and is effective in terms of reducing methane”, but that “soundbites” in the public arena are creating uncertainty and scaring consumers. He called for a major education effort to convey peer‑reviewed scientific findings.

Saskia Visser of Climate KIC noted that Dutch dairy company FrieslandCampina has been encouraging its suppliers to use Bovaer for around three years without any farmer complaints. John Harrison from the research division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine added that Bovaer is “the most widely‑researched feed additive in the world, and has been shown to be safe”, and questioned whether stakeholders have a duty to counter possible misinformation.

The European Food Safety Authority is completing a scientific opinion on Bovaer (3‑nitrooxypropanol) after the European Commission requested an assessment of its safety, following reports from some Danish farmers of health and milk‑yield impacts – although no scientific link has been established.

Source: Agriland. Photo: BBSO / Pexels.