Royal DSM has announced that European Union (EU) member states have approved the marketing in the EU of Bovaer, the methane-reducing feed additive for dairy cows. After inclusion in the EU registry, expected in the coming weeks, it will be the first time a feed additive authorised in the EU for environmental benefits can be marketed. This marks a significant milestone for DSM, paving the way for Bovaer to revolutionise the dairy market.
Bovaer will contribute to the greening of the EU’s agriculture, and to the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy. As stated in the European Commission’s confirmation of approval, the innovative feed additive is safe for use without impacting the quality of dairy products and is the first of its kind to be available within the EU which can reduce methane emissions.
Said Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety: “Innovation is key for a successful shift towards a more sustainable food system. The EU continues to lead the way in ensuring food safety while adapting to new technologies that can make food production more sustainable. Cutting farming-related methane emissions is key in our fight against climate change and today’s approval is a very telling example of what we can achieve through new agricultural innovations.”
The dairy industry has an important role to play as enteric methane from dairy cows is responsible for up to 60% of the global greenhouse gas emissions from milk production. DSM’s ruminant feed additive Bovaer consistently reduces these methane emissions by around 30%. EU market authorisation therefore represents a ground-breaking step toward more sustainable milk production, giving farmers, dairy companies and retailers a trusted and safe product with proven efficacy that will substantially lower dairy’s carbon footprint. And ultimately it enables the consumer to purchase sustainable dairy.
Bovaer is the result of a decade of scientific research, including more than 50 peer-reviewed studies published in independent scientific journals and 48 on-farm trials in 14 countries across 4 continents. DSM has entered into partnerships with several major dairy companies to prepare for the implementation of Bovaer at large scale. These preparations will contribute to Bovaer’s smooth incorporation into existing farming practices and ensure its impact can be felt as soon as possible. DSM has also already begun engineering works for a large-scale Bovaer plant at DSM’s manufacturing site in Dalry, Scotland.
Commented Geraldine Matchett, Co-CEO DSM: “Bovaer has the power to truly revolutionize the global dairy industry. We are extremely proud that, after a decade of research, trials, and value chain collaboration, its potential has been recognised with this historic market approval.”
Concluded Dimitri de Vreeze, Co-CEO DSM: “There is no time to lose when it comes to tackling climate change, and Bovaer is scientifically proven as an effective solution to the immense challenge of methane emissions in animal farming. We look forward to introducing Bovaer to the European market where we know farmers and dairy companies share our eagerness to act. This solution enables us to work together to offer consumers dairy products with a greatly reduced climate impact.”
The market introduction of Bovaer is a major step toward delivering on this commitment as well as the strategic initiative of DSM’s Animal Nutrition & Health business group, We Make It Possible, with its mission to lead a robust and achievable worldwide transformation in sustainable animal protein production. For more visit dsm.com
