Co-op takes to X to deny use of supplement on its NZ supplier farms amid UK uproar.
Fonterra has been dragged into a social media uproar after it was accused of having unsafe dairy products because of the co-operative’s links to Bovaer, the supplement fed to cows to reduce emissions.
Fonterra put out a statement on social media platform X, saying: “At Fonterra, food safety and quality is our No 1 priority. Bovaer has not been approved to be used on farm in New Zealand.”
It also updated a 2021 media release that outlined trials to determine whether Bovaer was suitable for New Zealand’s pastoral farming systems: “These trials have been completed and have determined that Bovaer is currently better suited to non-pastoral farming systems not used in New Zealand.”
Bovaer is a feed additive made by Dutch-Swiss company dsm-firmenich. It supresses the enzyme that causes a cow to produce methane. In indoor farming systems, it has been found to have reduced emissions by over 30%.
The uproar began after dsm-firmenich announced plans to trial the supplement in the United Kingdom with dairy company Arla and supermarkets.
The public reacted to this trial with concerns about the human health implications of having the supplement in dairy products. Some claimed that United States billionaire Bill Gates being involved.
It responded with a lengthy statement saying the announcement had “caused mistruths and misinformation about its safety”.
“UK and European Union food safety authorities have approved Bovaer and consider it safe for use and effective in reducing emissions.”
When used as recommended, Bovaer is fully metabolised by the cow and is not present in milk or meat, so there is no consumer exposure, it said.
“It never enters into milk or meat and therefore does not reach consumers.”
The supplement is also the most extensively studied and scientifically proven solution to reducing methane emissions with over 150 studies undertaken, it said.
“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.”
The product is available for sale in 68 countries including Australia.
Supermarket giant Coles launched its Finest certified carbon neutral beef range in April 2022 and in November 2023 it announced it was expanding its use of Bovaer.
It faced a similar backlash online.
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) managing director Michael Crowley defended the product in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“MLA has spent more than $1 million studying Bovaerover three projects in partnership with industry and universities.”
Crowley said the MLA had consulted with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on all required approvals for its research.
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