Dairy firm Arla is facing threats of a boycott over a controversial additive for cow feed that it says can reduce emissions related to cattle farming.
Bovaer is claimed to reduce the amount of methane that cows produce – a significant source of and contributor to levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates invested millions in Rumin 8, a company developing similar methane-reducing supplements in early 2023, via his investment firm Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Conspiracy theorists have wrongly linked the two firms without evidence.
Danish firm Arla – which holds the biggest dairy conglomerate in Britain – says the product can reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent among dairy cattle and is being supported by supermarkets Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco.
But supermarkets are being threatened with a boycott amid concerns over the use of additives in food production.
There is no suggestion that the additive is not safe for consumers. The UK’s Food Standard Agency has approved it for use.
And Arla has fired back at what it labelled as ‘completely false’ ‘misinformation’ around the additive on social media – particularly confusion between Bovaer and the Rumin 8 company that had benefited from Gates’ investment.
The tech entrepreneur has been a regular target of conspiracy theorists on social media for years, including during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dairy firm Arla is under fire for testing a food additive that can help reduce methane emissions in cows that has been approved for use by the UK’s Food Standards Agency
The Danish company has hit out at conspiracy theories and misinformation that ties it to Bill Gates after he invested in a similar company
Shoppers and other figures, including right-wing figure Lee Hurst, have said they will boycott shops linked to the trial of the additive, which has been meticulously tested prior to its approval
An Arla spokesperson told The Grocer: ‘The information spreading surrounding our link to Bill Gates is completely false and claims relating to his involvement in our products is inaccurate’.
The firm said in its tweet announcing the trial: ‘This represents an amazing chance to reduce emissions on farm.’
Bovaer was cleared for bovine use in the UK at the end of 2023, and several other countries have approved its use in cattle. The additive will be tested by 30 of Arla’s 9,000 farmers.
Despite the conspiracy theories surrounding the product, the National Farmers’ Union says shoppers are largely positive about products that reduce cows’ methane output – but says it still has questions about its long-term use.
Paul Tompkins, NFU Dairy Board chairman, said this week: ‘While FSA-approved products could be useful tools in helping to reduce methane emissions, questions remain about long-term efficacy, that it can be used practically and effectively on farm, and that animal health and welfare will not be impacted.
‘Defra research has shown that shoppers are generally positive about methane-suppressing products if human and/or animal health are not affected.
‘It’s critical we also have a strong evidence base to give farmers the confidence to use these products.
‘This trial project between Arla, Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco could help provide this evidence.’
DSM-Firmenich, the firm behind the additive, is preparing to open a Bovaer facility in Scotland as it ramps up production.
Arla is behind some of the biggest dairy brands in Britain, including Lurpak butter and Cravendale milk.
Supermarkets Aldi, Tesco and Morrisons said of the plan: ‘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.’
Gates said in 2023 that action had to be taken to combat methane emissions in cattle.
‘You can either fix the cows to stop them doing that or you can make beef without the cow,’ he told the Sydney-based Low Institute think tank.
‘Both of those will be pursued to see which one can lead to the best product in terms of taste, health and cost.’
He has previously advocated for alternatives to beef and other animal products as part of his push to reduce environmental impacts of meat production.
Gates is not the only billionaire looking to fund projects that reduce cows’ methane emissions.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s billionaire founder, donated $9.4million (£7.8m) to a project at Surrey’s Pirbright Institute that aims to reduce the methane produced by cows by means of a vaccination.
