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In recent years, reducing methane emissions in agriculture has become a focal point for tackling climate change, with cattle farming rightly in the spotlight. Among the solutions proposed is Bovaer, a feed additive designed to reduce methane emissions in ruminant (grazing) livestock. While hailed by some as a breakthrough, this synthetic intervention is one that organic farming standards reject.
Bovaer, a product of the multinational DSM, claims to reduce methane emissions from cows by up to 30% when added to their feed. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a natural byproduct of digestion in ruminant animals. This synthetic additive works by inhibiting the enzyme that produces methane during fermentation in the cow’s stomach, offering a way to curb emissions without significant changes to farming systems.
Innovations like Bovaer, while promising much on the surface, fail to address the root causes of methane emissions and we believe we need to tackle the problem at its source rather than seeking a quick fix.
Methane emissions are intrinsically tied to the industrial farming model, where animals are often fed diets that differ significantly from their natural grazing patterns. Methane production, therefore, is exacerbated by an industrial farming model that chooses high yields over ecological balance.
While additives like Bovaer may offer immediate emission reductions, they are failing to address the increasingly unsustainable intensive meat and dairy industry that is threatening natural habitats, leading to soil degradation and biodiversity loss worldwide.
The practise of protecting profits is widespread, remember - agriculture is big business. The author of Stuffed and Starved, Raj Patel, noted in 2022 following that year’s COP conference: “From treating cow burps to robotic weeders, none of the false solutions on offer at Cop27 come close to stopping the industrial food production from being an engine of planetary destruction,” whilst Amanda Starbuck, the research director at Food and Water Watch concluded that same year; “these technologies provide a cover for the large meat and dairy corporations to continue overproducing on polluting factory farms,”
The principles behind organic farming advocate for practices that reduce methane emissions naturally, for example encouraging diverse pasture growth to reduce methane and increase carbon sequestration in the soil and ensuring animals live low-stress, outdoor lives on nutrient-rich pastures which reduces emissions while improving meat and milk quality.
Our organic certification from the Soil Association guarantees our meat is produced without synthetic inputs, from pesticides to additives and they are clear in their stance; “The main components that make up Bovaer® are not included in the list of approved products/compounds and as a result, Bovaer® would not be permitted under organic standards and for use in organic farming.” .
There’s no doubt about the urgency of tackling agricultural emissions on a global scale. As an organic-first company, we remain committed to natural methods that address these environmental challenges while upholding the principles of organic farming.
We believe that when meat is cheap, the true cost is borne elsewhere - by the animals or by the environment. By supporting organic farming and making thoughtful choices, such as eating less meat but choosing higher-quality, ethically produced options, you are championing a future built on sustainability, transparency and trust.
Organic farming prioritises the health of the soil, the welfare of animals and the environment. Together, we can take meaningful steps to combat climate change without sacrificing these values.