Shoppers could soon boycott three major supermarkets after raising concerns over an additive which will be trialled in cows used for a popular dairy brand’s products.
Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco all stock products from dairy giant Arla – including Lurpak and Cravendale milk – and will soon trial products from cows who eat food Bovaer.
Bovaer is a product added to cow feed to lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the bovines.
Methane is a greenhouse gas produced by cows through their farts and burps than is 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide – contributing significantly to global warming.
Even though the UK Food Standards Agency has approved Bovaer for use and said it is safe for consumers, customers are fuming after Arla announced they would trial the use of the additive on 30 farms.
Arla wrote on X: ‘Bovaer can reduce emissions from cows by 27%, and this represents an amazing chance to reduce emissions on farm.’
With over 13,000 replies to the post on X, some shoppers have slammed the trial as ‘insane’.
One user wrote: ‘No thanks, I will be boycotting Arla products and the supermarkets mentioned going forward.’
Another added: ‘No longer will buy your products. What are the long term health effects of this.? What actually is Bovaer? What is it made up from? Do your customers not get a choice?’
Arla has said the uproar includes some ‘misinformation’, including suggestions that Bill Gates is benefitting from Bovaer trialling at the farms.
Bill Gates has no affiliation with the additive, but has invested millions into Rumin 8, which develops similar methane-reducing products.
An Arla spokesperson told The Grocer: ‘The information spreading surrounding our link to Bill Gates is completely false and claims relating to his involvement in our products is inaccurate’.
The United States approved Bovaer for use in May 2024, followed by Canada.
Brazil and Chile approved its use in 2021 for cows, sheep and goats.
The EU also has approved it for use in dairy cows alone.
Bovaer is used in several other countries, and the National Farmers’ Union Dairy Board Chairman Paul Tompkins said earlier this week that the trial with Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco could give farmers confidence in the product.
‘While FSA-approved products could be useful tools in helping to reduce methane emissions, questions remain about long-term efficacy, that it can be used practically and effectively on farm, and that animal health and welfare will not be impacted,’ he said.
‘Defra research has shown that shoppers are generally positive about methane-suppressing products if human and/or animal health are not affected. It’s critical we also have a strong evidence base to give farmers the confidence to use these products.’
Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco added: ‘Through collaboration as part of Arla’s FarmAhead Customer Partnership, we have the ability to address some of the climate challenges facing our food system. It is this collective approach that is really going to make a difference.’
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