Arla partners with Tesco, Aldi and Morrisons on methane-reducing feed trial
Arla Foods has partnered with supermarkets Morrisons, Tesco and Aldi to trial the use of methane-reducing cattle feed in a bid to reduce emissions.
Named Bovaer, the feed additive is understood to reduce enteric methane emissions from cows on average by 27%.
As part of its FarmAhead customer partnership initiative, Arla is to work alongside retail partners Morrisons and Aldi, and with Tesco to experiment with how feed additives can be introduced to normal feeding routines.
The new scheme will also involve 30 of the dairy cooperative’s farmers, aims to provide a better understanding of how these feed additives can be rolled out across a larger group of farmers.
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Arla Foods UK agricultural director Paul Dover said: “We know that reducing methane is a big opportunity when it comes to improving our carbon footprint at farm level and feed additives like Bovaer have huge potential in helping us tackle this issue.
“Bringing partners together from across the food & grocery industry in this kind of initiative highlights the support there is for British farmers in transitioning to more sustainable farming methods.”
In a joint comment, 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. Being involved in using a feed additive is a great way of testing out where we can drive change at scale to bring down emissions.”
The new initiative follows Tesco kicking off a trial with Bovaer earlier this year, in partnership with Grosvenor Farms, as the grocer looked to reduced the carbon footprint of each cow by around 1.3 tonnes CO2e annually.
In June, Morrisons also partnered with environmental technology company Sea Forest to fast-track the process of feeding its cattle seaweed-based livestock feed with the aim to reduce carbon production from beef products.
17 Comments. Leave new
If it is true that cattle-produced methane is an environmental problem, the true solution is to cease keeping cattle permanently indoors, fed on corn. Pasture-grazed animals are part of the natural cycle. Factory farming methods are not.
Just poured all my tesco milk away, and i will now shop at Sainsbury’s they are not taking part in this ridiculous test on cows and humans
Just like the clot shots. We are the test group. No thanks I’ll stay well away from anything which Billy has been involved in.
I will NOT buy milk adulterated in this way.
How dare they think that consumers will accept this!
Mrs Angry!!
As previous comments asks – what is this additive and is it already in the food chain under the radar so it’s too late to purchase another brand that may cause harm later down the line.
Humans used as guinea pigs once again, will corporations ever learn?
This is a bad idea. The uk population eating this meat will be participating in an experiment with no known beneficial outcome. Anything backed by Bill Gates should be avoided.
i will avoid
I shall not be spending my money in any of the above stores that take part in experimental trials , not only are the poor animals guinea pigs, we humans are also
How far does science really need to go , when things aren’t proven
This additive is dangerous and it’s long term effects are unknown.
We do know it’s dangerous for humans.
Cow farts aren’t the problem, this whole thing is utterly pointless.
Why do people keep doing these ridiculous experiments when the only thing that will save the planet is to get control of the fossil fuel peddling crooks!
But what are these feed additives made of and have they been tested on humans?
How do we know what consequences these are going to have in the food chain?
From the FSA report on 3-NOP, the active ingredient in Bovaer:
“At the 200 mg dose, effects identified included decreased ovary size, decreased serum activities of ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and reduced feed and water intake.”
Smaller ovaries! And later it was noted smaller heart weight also! They only tested a total of 80 cows and there were ZERO TESTS ON HUMANS. Furthermore, 2 of the trial cows were euthanised, but it doesn’t say why. And 3 out of 4 cows milk contained 3-NOP. Plus, they only tested the chemical and not the finished feed.
So no, we do not know the consequences of putting this poison into the food chain. You’d have thought after Mad Cow Disease they would be a bit more careful, but no, not a bit of it. My advise is not to buy anything from Arla (which includes Castello cheese – i.e. Tickler), and to complain to Arla foods. They should not be carrying out this experiment on an unsuspecting British public. It’s an utter disgrace.
They don’t care nor do they care if an animal suffers. I so hope all these farmers participating in this obnoxious act go bankrupt. Using something that isn’t natural, as an experiment on animals and humans is pure evil. I know a lot of farmers who will not entertain it.
Makes tea taste awful tastes awful will avoid tipped down sink won’t buy from Aldi again
I can tell you now that when it becomes public knowledge that it could cause damage to male fertility organs and that Bill Gates is involved it’ll finish Arla.
best to buy your meat from a small independent butcher.