The debate over how best to curb greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture has taken a new turn in the United Kingdom. As of November 8, 2025, a closely watched trial of Bovaer—a feed additive designed to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows—has concluded, sparking both hope and controversy in equal measure. The trial, conducted by Arla Foods, the owner of the UK’s largest dairy cooperative, tested the supplement across 30 farms. Now, the results are under review, with many eyes watching to see what the future holds for this potentially game-changing product.
At its core, Bovaer—known scientifically as 3-Nitrooxypropanol—works by suppressing enzymes in a cow’s stomach that produce methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. According to BBC reporting, it’s claimed that Bovaer can reduce methane emissions by 30-45%. This is no small feat, considering methane’s heat-trapping power is 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, even though it lingers for a much shorter time in the atmosphere.
But the journey has been anything but smooth. The launch of the Bovaer trial in the UK last year (2024) immediately ignited a wave of concern over food safety. Misinformation and conspiracy theories spread rapidly on social media, with some protestors posting videos of themselves flushing milk down toilets in a dramatic display of distrust. The controversy didn’t end there; across the North Sea in Denmark, fresh concerns about cow health have put Bovaer under official investigation, even as the manufacturer, DSM-Firmenich, insists the product is both safe and effective.
“We are aware that in recent days, some farmers have raised concerns about cow health,” a DSM-Firmenich spokesperson told the BBC. “We are actively engaging with the relevant organizations to ensure that all these concerns are fully investigated and properly addressed. In previously reported cases, Bovaer was not identified as a contributing factor to the health concerns raised.” The company maintains that animal welfare is its “highest priority” and points out that Bovaer has been “successfully used for over three years by thousands of farmers in over 25 countries.”
Despite these reassurances, the public’s wariness remains. The UK government has already weighed in, with both regulators and the Food Standards Agency declaring in 2023 that milk from cows fed Bovaer is safe to drink. Their safety assessment found no concerns when the supplement is used at the approved dose. Still, the final word on whether Bovaer will see broader use in the UK hinges on Arla’s ongoing review of the trial’s results. A company spokeswoman confirmed that “the findings of its trial were currently being reviewed.”
In Denmark, the situation is even more complex. The government there has made methane-reducing feed mandatory for dairy farms as part of a broader push to minimize agriculture’s environmental footprint. Out of approximately 2,000 Danish dairy farms, about 1,400 currently use Bovaer. Yet, recent reports from some herd owners have raised red flags about cow health, prompting the Danish Food and Veterinary Administration to launch a close investigation. “We are very aware that some herd owners have reported animals showing signs of illness after being fed with Bovaer,” said Jannik Elmegaard of the Danish Food and Veterinary Administration, speaking to the BBC. “It is unclear how many cows were affected,” he added, noting that officials are “closely monitoring” the situation and collecting data to determine the cause of the illnesses. Elmegaard also emphasized that Bovaer had “undergone a long and thorough approval process.”
Researchers at Denmark’s Aarhus University have played a key role in evaluating Bovaer’s safety and effectiveness. Professor Charlotte Lauridsen, from the university’s Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, addressed the recent media reports: “The pattern of disease now being described in the media—with fever, diarrhoea and, in some cases, dead cows—has never been observed in our extensive studies.” Nonetheless, she stressed that the university is taking the reports seriously and is now collecting samples from herds where problems have been reported. This scientific vigilance highlights just how seriously the agricultural community is taking both the promise and the risks of methane-suppressing feed additives.
Back in the UK, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has struck a cautious but open-minded tone. “Animal welfare must continue to be our highest priority with any new product,” the NFU said in a statement. Paul Tompkins, who oversees the NFU Dairy Board, added, “Following reports of investigations in Denmark into the use of methane suppressants, we will continue to monitor the situation for any developments to ensure the impact of any product is known.” The NFU’s stance reflects a broader sentiment in the farming community: while innovation is essential to meet environmental targets, it cannot come at the expense of the animals’ well-being.
The stakes are high. Agriculture is a major source of methane emissions globally, and finding effective ways to curb these emissions is seen as critical to meeting climate goals. Feed additives like Bovaer represent a promising technological fix, but only if they can be proven safe for both cows and consumers. The UK government’s endorsement of Bovaer’s safety, bolstered by the Food Standards Agency’s 2023 assessment, offers some reassurance. Yet, the real-world reports of illness—even if not conclusively linked to Bovaer—underscore the need for rigorous, transparent research and oversight.
Meanwhile, the controversy has spilled into the public sphere, with social media amplifying both legitimate concerns and unfounded fears. Videos of milk being poured down the drain in protest have become symbolic of the deep divisions in public opinion over food technology and environmental policy. For some, Bovaer represents a bold step towards sustainable agriculture; for others, it’s an unproven risk not worth taking.
As the dust settles on the UK trial and the investigations in Denmark continue, one thing is clear: the debate over methane-suppressing feed additives is far from over. The decisions made in the coming months—by regulators, scientists, farmers, and food companies—will shape not just the future of Bovaer, but the broader trajectory of sustainable farming. For now, the world is watching, and waiting, for answers.
