The proposal for Bovaer labeling was submitted by the left-wing opposition party Alternativet and is supported by the Danish animal protection society as well as some farmers critical of current environmental and climate policies.
It remains unclear whether the Alternativet proposal will gain enough support in parliament. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for the future of Danish dairy farming and for how environmental innovations are implemented and communicated to the public.
Bovaer is a feed additive for dairy cows intended to reduce their methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with livestock farming being a major source. By using Bovaer, methane production in cows’ stomachs can be significantly reduced, contributing to efforts to combat climate change.
Critics argue that mandatory labeling is unnecessary and point out there is no evidence that Bovaer is harmful to human or animal health. They emphasize that the additive has been thoroughly tested and approved by the relevant Danish and European authorities. Furthermore, mandatory labeling on milk cartons could unnecessarily alarm consumers and create the impression that there is something wrong with the milk, which is not the case.
On the other hand, Alternativet advocates for transparency towards consumers. They believe that consumers have the right to know which additives have been used in their food production to make informed choices. The party states that such labeling contributes to openness and trust between producers and consumers.
Responding to that claim, Minister Jensen recently said on television, 'we also don’t put on the label that there is grass in the milk.'
The Danish animal protection organization has expressed concerns about the use of Bovaer. They point out that no studies have yet been conducted on the long-term effects on the health and welfare of the cows. Some dairy farmers are also skeptical about using Bovaer, worrying about potential impacts on their animals and the additional costs involved.
Despite concerns, there are also positive experiences with using Bovaer. A Danish dairy farmer who participated in a pilot project with Bovaer reported no negative effects on his cows. On the contrary, he saw an increase in milk production and no adverse effects on animal health. Dairy giant Arla also rejects criticism of adding Bovaer, developed by DSM, after a British environmental organization drew attention to it late last year.
The debate over mandatory labeling of Bovaer on milk cartons reflects a broader discussion in Denmark about transparency, consumer rights, and balancing environmental innovations with animal welfare. As pressure increases to reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming, such discussions are likely to continue.