Tesco has kicked off a new trial which will provide 400 of its dairy cows with a methane-reducing feed supplement, Bovaer.

The trial in partnership with Grosvenor Farms, looks to reduce the carbon footprint of each cow by around 1.3 tonnes CO2e annually.

The Bovaer feed supplement, which will have no impact on animal welfare, suppresses the enzymes that produce methane, reducing the amount of methane made as a cow digests its food.

It has been found to reduce methane emissions by up to 30%, and could result in an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of Grosvenor Farms by up to 12%.

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Tesco head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries Natalie Smith said: “Leading the transition to a low carbon agriculture sector is something we’re really passionate about at Tesco.

“We’ve been carrying out innovative trials like this for a number of years now, so I’m delighted we’re going to be partnering with Grosvenor Farms on a project that could have such a significant effect on emissions reduction in our supply chain.”

If the trial proves successful, the supermarket giant looks to roll out Bovaer across the rest of the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group.

It comes as Tesco has suspended one of its Red Tractor farm suppliers after facing backlash from campaigners after animal protection organisation Animal Equality filmed cases of alleged extreme and “abysmal” animal abuse.

The supermarket confirmed to The Times that it would now be investigating the Cross Farm in Holsworthy Beacon, Devon, which holds around 12,000 pigs and is Red Tractor certified.