With all the talk about climate change currently, our dairy farmers have been under pressure to find ways to lower the methane emissions from their dairy cows, one of the ways this has been achieved is with the use of a feed additive called Bovaer, which is used to lower the levels of methane in a cows digestive system. As there is controversy around the use of the additive, Bovaer-free milk is now becoming an alternative to this.
So what is Bovaer-free milk and should you care? Let’s look a little bit closer at what this means for food safety, animal health and the future of our dairy industry.
What Is Bovaer?
Bovaer is a feed supplement designed to inhibit methane production in a cow’s digestive system. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released through the digestion of a cow’s diet, and dairy cows are among the largest contributors to global carbon dioxide emissions. Bovaer works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme in the digestive system and can reduce methane emissions from cows by around 30% or more.
The active ingredient in Bovaer is made from naturally occurring compounds that break down into bits already found in a cow’s digestive system anyway. Because of this, they’ve rigorously tested the additive and it’s undergone rigorous safety assessments by proper official groups like the European Food Safety Authority and our own Food Standards Agency.
Why Do Some Consumers Prefer Bovaer-Free Milk?
Although Bovaer has been approved for use in many countries including Great Britain, there are still safety concerns and controversy surrounding what it could do in the long term to human health, animal health and our food supply. Have you ever stopped to think about what goes in to your milk before it arrives at your door? Many of our customers and farmers have expressed concerns about interfering with the natural digestive process of the cows.
Here’s why some people are choosing Bovaer-free milk instead:
1. Concerns About Food Safety
Although Bovaer has been cleared as safe after all those thorough food safety checks, there are some who just don’t want to drink milk from cows fed Bovaer. They are concerned that any feed additive used to alter a cow’s stomach could potentially cause problems in the future when it reaches the food chain.
2. Organic and Natural Dairy
If you prefer organic milk and support organic farming, then organic milk is your best choice as it complies with organic standards. Many of our local farmers who follow traditional farming methods do not wish to use additives such as Bovaer, in order to continue producing a purer version of cow’s milk.
3. Ethical and Environmental Concerns
Others have said that by focusing on feed additives instead of improving sustainable farming practices, the industry is sidestepping the real issue of regenerative agriculture. British farmers who support Bovaer-free milk believe that improving the health of the land, and reducing intensive farming practices, is a more effective way to reduce emissions.
4. The Role of Major Supermarkets
Some of the big major supermarkets have started selling milk from cows given Bovaer while some are still undecided. Some consumers are calling for a boycott of products that contain feed additives that they are not comfortable with. Some other people are calling for supermarkets to label products to allow consumers to be clear about what is in their morning cuppa.
Is Bovaer-Free Milk Safer or Healthier?
In terms of food safety, both Bovaer-treated milk and Bovaer-free milk should be safe to consume. According to the Food Standards Agency and the European Food Safety Authority, Bovaer is not absorbed into the milk or meat of cows that are treated with it.
However, some customers prefer to have Bovaer-free milk as they prefer to have milk without additives, and others are concerned about the potential impact of Bovaer, despite being approved for use, and there may be some potentially harmful effects we do not yet understand, which is similar to concerns regarding food additives in the past.
What Role Does Bill Gates Play in the Debate?
Ironically, Bill Gates has been investing in feed additives to combat climate change. By investing in various animal feed solutions, including Bovaer, many are worried about the impact that large corporations are having on the dairy industry. Some believe that corporate control of food production and the increasing use of feed additives will have a negative impact and make people more reliant on additives rather than sustainable farming practices.
Where Can You Find Bovaer-Free Milk?
If you are looking for Bovaer-free milk, one of the only surefire ways to know that it is real is to buy it directly from local farmers or small independent dairy farms that adhere to organic standards. There are still many small dairy farms that produce organic milk without the use of additives.
If you live in Cardiff or the surrounding areas, you can find high quality Bovaer-free milk from G and S Dairies which offers a fresh, natural product straight to your doorstep. Supporting local farmers means you can always choose to buy dairy products that are in-line with your values. No need to worry about what is in your milk, we have you covered. Fresh milk in reusable bottles.
Final Thoughts: Should You Choose Bovaer-Free Milk?
Whether you choose Bovaer-free milk or not, is up to you and what you feel about food safety, environmental responsibilities and animal welfare. Whilst Bovaer has been thoroughly rigorously tested and approved for use in Great Britain, some people prefer to choose milk from cattle that have not been fed feed additives.
So what do you think? If you’re a fan of organic farming, natural animal feed and supporting local farmers, you might think Bovaer-free milk is great. But if you’re more concerned about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, you might think Bovaer is actually a good thing.
That’s really up to you. What’s really important is that we all make sure big supermarkets, British farmers and the government clearly label things so that you, the consumer, can make informed choices about the food you eat.
If you would like to drink quality, fresh, Bovaer-free milk then please drop us a message at G and S Dairies and we will be happy to provide you with a natural, farm-fresh milk delivery to your door. Have you ever woken up to no milk in the fridge and dying for a cuppa?
Worry no more, we have you covered. We are a milk delivery service operating in Newport and the surrounding areas delivering fresh milk in reusable glass bottles and morning goods directly to your doorstep.
