Drugging cows to cut methane: what about milk safety?


The following information is from Children’s Health Defense.


A new cattle feed additive, Bovaer, is being marketed as a solution to reduce methane emissions by up to 30%. The additive, developed by DSM-Firmenich and marketed by Elanco, suppresses an enzyme in cows’ stomachs to cut methane production. Supporters claim it’s safe and effective, but critics argue it lacks adequate safety testing and is unnecessary when regenerative farming methods can achieve similar goals without potential risks.

“All-in-all, there are warning flags that this drug could have harmful effects. It has been rushed to market without adequate testing for safety to the cows and to the people who drink the milk.”

John Fagan, Ph.D.,Chief Scientist, Health Research Institute

Concerns have been raised about Bovaer’s active ingredient, 3-NOP, which prompted a warning from the UK Food Standards Agency about potential risks. Researchers and advocates for regenerative farming stress that the drug’s safety studies have been inadequate, failing to address long-term health outcomes like cancer, endocrine disruption, and neurotoxicity.

Critics argue that methane emissions from livestock stem primarily from industrial farming practices like Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Regenerative grazing systems, by contrast, use natural processes to manage methane emissions and even sequester carbon in the soil.

“There is no need for highly toxic Bovaer to be force-fed to cows to reduce methane emissions. Properly managed grazing systems provide a safer alternative for human and animal health.”
André Leu, International Director, Regeneration International

Despite the concerns, Bovaer has been approved in over 68 countries, including the US, Mexico, Canada, and the UK. British supermarket chains are already planning to sell milk from Bovaer-fed cows, prompting a wave of public backlash and calls for boycotts. Consumers are questioning the necessity and safety of chemically altering dairy products.

“Promoters of this drug claim that it is metabolized quickly and will not be present in the final milk product. This ignores the key question of what are the metabolites, and are they harmful to the cow or the person who drinks the milk? The answer is that research has not been done.”
John Fagan, Ph.D.,Chief Scientist, Health Research Institute

Advocates for regenerative farming argue that instead of introducing new drugs, we should focus on addressing the root causes of environmental issues in agriculture. They emphasize that regenerative methods, not quick fixes, are the sustainable solution for both human and planetary health.

For more information, read the full article here.


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1 thought on “Drugging cows to cut methane: what about milk safety?”

  1. Can the world get any more screwed up than this?
    It’s one lunatic idea after another. Do these types even stop to use their brains?
    That old proverb “engage brain before opening mouth” has been ignored for many years now!

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