THE Australian red meat industry and the Swiss-Dutch product developer and manufacturer have leapt to the defence of the safety of methane-reducing feed additive, Bovaer following an explosion of ill-informed social media about human health risk associated with the product this week.

Social media in the United Kingdom and Australia – and Beef Central’s own reader comments section – has lit up this week with comments claiming a range of health risks, including compromised male fertility, from Bovaer. None have provided any credible science-based sources to validate such claims.

Bovaer has been in commercial use for several years around the world (currently registered for use in 68 countries, including Australia) without any safety or quality concerns, and no traces have been found in milk or meat.

In October this year, Bovaer was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the ‘Best global inventions of 2024.’

DSM-Firmenich, the Swiss-Dutch company that has developed the compound, issued a brief statement on Tuesday defending its product, but has since doubled down with a comprehensive package of information, including links to third-party, independent, peer-reviewed scientific studies, reinforcing the product’s safety (see details below).

“The current misinformation around Bovaer is just another example of how scare stories can proliferate online,” the company said.

“Fake news is now incredibly common, but we should stick to the facts: this is an important scientific innovation in the fight against climate change, and it has been confirmed as totally safe, both for the cow and for consumers of milk and dairy products.”

‘Rest assured that beef is safe’: MLA

Meat & Livestock Australia issued this statement yesterday, as the social media storm gathered pace:

Food safety and care for the environment are Meat & Livestock Australia’s top concerns. Customers can rest assured that their favourite beef is safe to consume, as Bovaer does not pass into meat products.

MLA undertakes scientific research and development studies to ensure Australian consumers have access to high quality, safe red meat that is good for them and produced sustainably.

MLA has spent more than $1 million studying Bovaer over three studies in partnership with industry and universities. MLA is currently undertaking two further research projects to the value of $8.1 million dollars. MLA found Bovaer can have a big impact on reducing methane emissions. Adding less than a quarter of teaspoon of Bovaer to daily intake of cattle feed can reduce methane emissions by 60-90pc.

More detailed MLA responses can be found towards the bottom of this article.

There has been mass hysteria on social media this week about the human safety aspect of the methane–reducing feed additive. None of it is science-based, and much of links back to loopy conspiracy theories about Bill Gates trying to control world food production.

In Australia, Coles has been the company copping most of the criticism for its use of Bovaer in a trial for its Coles Finest carbon neutral beef brand. The company has been directing people to the MLA response and issued a short statement itself:

“Coles prioritises food safety and animal welfare and we are committed to improving the sustainability of our business,” a spokesperson said.

“Bovear has been extensively researched over the past 15 years and approved by leading food safety organisations including Food Standards Agency (UK) and the European Food Safety Authority (EU).”

If you believe it, it must be right

Despite the lack of any science-based evidence over risk from Bovaer’s critics, it is disappointing to note that some Australian red meat and milk supply chains have seen fit to distance themselves from the product. Such moves only serve to validate the baseless claims made by keyboard warriors in Australia and overseas.

Among them are smaller beef supply chains such as Farmer to Fridge this week used social media claims such as “Certified Full Fart Beef” using the tag, ‘Bovaer-free farms’.

Dairy industry stakeholders including farmer-owned Norco have also jumped on the issue, making claims like “Norco farmers do not use Bovaer” and “No Bovaer here – Full fart milk”.

The facts behind Bovaer

Set out below is a detailed summary provided by DSM-Firmenich, the developer and manufacturer of Bovaer on the product’s safety:

Dear farmers, retailers, and members of the public,

The recent announcement of the Bovaer trials in the UK has caused mistruths and misinformation about its safety. We would like to bring you the facts and dispel any misconceptions. UK and EU Food Safety Authorities have approved Bovaer and consider it safe for use and effective in reducing emissions.

Here are the scientifically-proven facts:

Bovaer is a superior feed supplement approved and considered safe by UK and EU Food Safety Authorities, as well as multiple other authorities. It consistently reduces methane, one of the most powerful greenhouse gasses, in cows. It is included in cow feed at a ratio of 1 gram per 20kg of feed.

Bovaer development began 15 years ago and enables farmers to reduce methane emissions from dairy, beef, and other ruminant herds, to help avoid global warming.

Provided it is used as recommended, Bovaer is fully metabolized by the cow and is not present in milk or meat, so there is no consumer exposure. It never enters into milk or meat and therefore does not reach consumers.

Regulatory and scientific trials show that Bovaer poses no risk to health for consumers nor animals and it has no impact on milk production or reproduction.

The supplement is specifically designed to break down in the cow’s digestive system and quickly decomposes into naturally-occurring compounds already present in the rumen of a cow.

With more than 150 studies having been conducted, Bovaer is the most extensively studied and scientifically proven solution to the challenge of enteric methane emissions to date.

Bovaer is available for sale in 68 countries, including the United Kingdom. The UK Food Standards Agency, as well as EFSA, have approved its use based on evidence that it does not harm the animals or negatively impact their health, productivity, or the quality of milk. They concluded that the product is safe for use, both for animals as well as humans, and is effective in reducing methane emissions.

In cattle farming, supplements such as Bovaer are part of a cow’s normal daily feeding routine. In addition to grass, hay and grains, feed supplements play a vital role in improving the digestion, immunity, and overall health of a cow.

Bovaer is a feed supplement which consistently reduces methane in cows, allowing farmers, dairy providers, and retailers to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas footprint. If we want to limit global warming, we collectively must tackle methane. One dairy cow fed with Bovaer can reduce CO2e emissions by one ton per year.

The product safety sheet is a standard sheet which provides clear guidelines to people handling the product at processing facilities and ensures safe use. Such procedures are quite common for feed supplements, such as vitamins, to ensure workers take appropriate measures (e.g., wearing masks and gloves) to avoid risks from small dust particles.

Farmers can safely handle Bovaer in the recommended application form and by following standard safety instructions in line with regular on-farm practices.

Contrary to what is stated in recent messages, Bovaer is fully developed and owned by DSM-Firmenich and has no other investors. Bill Gates is not involved in the development of Bovaer.

It has been successfully and safely in commercial use for over two years on farms across the globe.

Transparency about what goes into our food is of the utmost importance. As part of the food industry, we ensure we provide healthy and nutritious food on people’s tables now and in the future. Simultaneously, we need to address our emissions and impact on the planet.

We believe that Bovaer can significantly contribute to reducing emissions whilst not compromising the health of people and animals. Bovaer is a solution steeped in science and has been researched for over 15 years. Over the past decade, our experts conducted more than 150 trials across the globe, which have all been published in over 85 articles in peer reviewed journals.

We believe in science and the power of evidence-based progress. That’s why our product has been extensively researched to ensure its health, safety, and efficacy, as confirmed following extensive checks and reviews by UK and EU Food Safety Authorities.

Is Bovaer safe? MLA’s response

A suite of information about Bovaer has been added to the MLA website overnight, as the social media storm has grown. Here are the key points:

What is Bovaer?

Bovaer is a novel feed additive developed to help reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals.

The development of Bovaer by DSM is underpinned by more than a decade of research, with over 70 peer-reviewed scientific studies that demonstrate a substantial reduction in methane production without affecting animal welfare, feed consumption or food safety. DSM is a world leader in science innovation and commercial supply of nutritional additives to global livestock production.

The product is currently authorised and available for sale in 68 markets globally.

How does it work?

In a cow’s rumen, microbes help break down food. This releases hydrogen and carbon dioxide. An enzyme combines these gases to form methane.

Bovaer is a feed supplement that suppresses the enzyme, so less methane gets generated. Just ¼ teaspoon in a cow’s daily feed of 15–20kg takes effect in as little as 30 minutes. As it acts, Bovaer10 is safely broken down into compounds already naturally present in the rumen or normally present in the animal.

Is Bovaer safe?

The use of Bovaer in animal nutrition has been found to be safe for consumers, and good for the environment and animal welfare. (EFSA Journal, 2021).

This was supported by an assessment by the UK’s Advisory Committee (Animal Feed and Feed Additives Joint Expert Group, 2023).

There are several peer-reviewed studies that support this:

• Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of 3-nitrooxypropanol (Bovaer^® 10) for ruminants for milk production and reproduction (DSM Nutritional Products Ltd)
• 3-NOP: ADME studies in rats and ruminating animals
• 3-NOP: Mutagenicity and genotoxicity assessment
• Mode of action uncovered for the specific reduction of methane emissions from ruminants by the small molecule 3-nitrooxypropanol.

The product is also considered safe to handle when used according to standard safety instructions, in line with regular on-farm practices (e.g. wearing appropriate personal protective equipment). Bovaer’s product safety sheet provides clear guidelines to people handling the product and ensures safe use.

What research has been completed on Bovaer?

Meat & Livestock Australia is conducting research and development to support reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions from the red meat industry. MLA has invested $1 million across three Bovaer research projects – however, Bovaer is just one of several feed additives currently being evaluated the context of the Australian beef industry.

To date, MLA has observed methane reduction of 60–90pc in feedlots and 15pc for grazing animals.

MLA has consulted with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on all required approvals for research.

View the MLA research summaries:

• Reducing emissions of backgrounded cattle – combining Bovaer®10 with supplementation to reduce methane and increase productivity (2024)
• Effect of Bovaer®10 on performance, health, carcase characteristics and carbon footprint of Australian feedlot cattle (2024)
• Methane emissions of Australian feedlot cattle as influenced by 3-Nitrooxypropanol (Bovaer-10) (2022)