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Controversy over ‘climate change’ additive Bovaer in Australian Beef sparks boycott calls

Bovaer news

The use of the methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer to cattle in Australia has ignited a heated debate, with growing calls for a boycott of beef produced using the additive.

Critics are pointing to findings from a Japanese study that suggest potential negative impacts on male fertility, as well as skepticism over the safety assurances provided by its manufacturer.

Bovaer, developed by DSM-Firmenich, is marketed as a breakthrough solution to “reduce methane emissions from cattle” by up to 30%. However, a study by Japan’s Food Safety Commission raised concerns, reporting a reduction in testicular weight, sperm count, and sperm motility in animal trials involving the additive. These findings have fuelled criticism from politicians, farmers, and activists, who are questioning the safety of Bovaer for both animals and humans.

Former Australian MP Craig Kelly has been particularly vocal, sharing the Japanese study results and criticising retailers like Coles for stocking beef linked to Bovaer-fed cattle. Kelly also highlighted disclaimers from Bovaer’s manufacturer, which limits liability and provides no guarantees of the product’s safety or effectiveness.

Queensland Libertarian Party candidate Jim Wilmott echoed the concerns, stating, “My cows don’t want a Bovaer supplement. Any product with warnings about reproductive harm has no place in our food chain.”

Proponents of Bovaer argue that its benefits in reducing agricultural methane are crucial in the fight against so-called “climate change”. Methane from cattle is said to account for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, and supporters believe the additive represents a viable step toward sustainable farming.

However, the debate is not limited to health concerns. Critics also target the influence of major investors like BlackRock and Vanguard, fuelling concerns about corporate agendas and the push for environmental solutions.

In New Zealand Fonterra has been working with DSM to explore the application of Bovaer in its pasture-based farming systems. A 2022 press release highlighted Fonterra’s commitment to reducing “on-farm greenhouse gas emissions”, describing its collaboration with DSM as part of a broader strategy to align with evolving consumer preferences and environmental goals.

Fonterra’s Chief Innovation and Brand Officer, Komal Mistry-Mehta, emphasised the importance of balancing innovation with safety, stating, “Dairy nutrition will always be our core strength… At the same time, we are conscious that preferences of some consumers are evolving.”

While New Zealand continues to evaluate Bovaer in controlled trials, critics in Australia are demanding transparency and labelling on beef products derived from Bovaer-fed cattle. This, they argue, would allow consumers to make informed choices.

As of December 2024, Bovaer has received approval from New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for importation and manufacturing “with controls”. However, its commercial use in livestock feed within the country is pending further regulatory clearance.

Despite the EPA’s approval, Bovaer requires registration under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act, overseen by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), before it can be used in animal feed. As of now, DSM-Firmenich has not submitted an application for this registration. MPI Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle noted that the product is primarily used in housed feeding systems overseas, which differ from New Zealand’s predominantly pasture-based farming practices.

Bovaer has been approved for use in over 55 countries, including Australia, the United States, and members of the European Union.

While Bovaer has cleared initial regulatory hurdles in New Zealand, its use in livestock feed awaits further approval from MPI. The outcome of this process will significantly impact the country’s agricultural strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As the controversy unfolds, the future of Bovaer in Australian agriculture remains uncertain. While its potential to combat climate change is lauded by environmental advocates, concerns over safety and corporate transparency cast a shadow over its adoption. For now, the divide between proponents and detractors highlights the complexities of balancing sustainability with public trust in food production systems.

The amount of Australian beef sold in New Zealand supermarkets varies. The amount of Australian beef sold in New Zealand supermarkets can vary depending on supply and demand. For example, in 2013 2% of beef in New Zealand supermarkets was Australian made. In 2024, New Zealand imported nearly 2,000 tonnes of Australian beef from July to September, the largest volume in over a decade. This was due to low availability of killable prime cattle in New Zealand, which drove up prices. 

Image credit: Leon Ephraim

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20 COMMENTS

  1. I’m sure this revelation will be GREAT for their exports, right? Not to mention domestic consumption. Australia is increasingly looking like a place to steer well clear of.

    I had heard some questionable things about their beef, I’ve been steering clear of it for a good while now.

  2. And Kill Gates is behind this as well!!
    Bovaer has been “approved” for use in over 55 countries? I think the author confused approved with forced too.

  3. If the Global Zionist bas***** can’t kill you via lethal Covid Vax injections, they’ll find other ways…
    Your entire refrigerator is FULL of bio-weapons and their synthetic added ingredients!
    They DO NOT want you to eat proper meat,; they want everyone to eat ze bugs and Ramen Noodles, with LOTS of sugar in order to speed-up the cancer cells! Not eating meat causes the brain to lack amino acids, and the IQ of the vegetarians drops an average of 15 points, …& then the hair falls out!

    • plant foods that contain complete proteins or all amino acids include:
      Quinoa
      Chia seeds
      Tofu
      Plant foods that contain some amino acids include:
      Grains
      Nuts
      Seeds
      Beans
      Legumes
      Fruits
      Vegetables

  4. Follow the money, once again Gates profits from vaccines, is he profiting from the bird flu scam too.
    The climate scam needs to end, cows ain’t the problem dishonest politicians and scientists are.

  5. The level of stupid is truly astounding and I am talking about the half wits allowing/ going along with this BS. Is there no common sense left on this planet.
    The Bible does say however that God hands people over to foolishness, either that or they are being paid incredibly well to spin this idiocy.

  6. I don’t eat red meat, but I do eat yoghurt. It makes you wonder if it makes its way into cow’s milk as well as the meat. These globalists are doing a fine job of polluting the whole food chain. How long before they start injecting chickens with some mRNA bird flu “vaccine” I wonder.

    I think we were safer in the stone age, which is actually a bad indictment upon modern society. At least then, if somebody was trying to kill you, they honestly came at you with a rock, or an arrow and you knew that they were trying to kill you. Nowadays they come at you with vaccine mandates, food additives, fluoride in the water and chem trails and convince you that it is for your own good.

  7. Should interact nicely with the fluoride and DNA altering experimental clot shots and hopefully with the desired consequences
    Australia has become a basket case the victim of a jew infestation starting with Port Arthur
    Pity about Australia

  8. Has anybody wondered why each successive governments refuses to allow climate change to be publicly discussed. NZ stood still for for 48 hours when MP Maureen Pugh stated that while she believed in climate change but was not convinced that it was influenced by humans. She was closed down by her own party and screamed at by the corrupt MSM, and later forced to make a public statement denouncing her inquiring mind.
    THE TRUTH DOESN’T MIND BEING QUESTIONED BUT A LIE HATES BEING CHALLENGED.
    Net-Zero is going to cost we NZ taxpayers billions of dollars to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
    You are being scammed.

  9. It has been said before but if the government can’t kill enough people through the injection poison then the next way is through the food. It is called democide when the government kills it own citizens.

  10. Bomb all the horribly pristine and pure wetlands producing beautifull life giving methane.

    Drop a nuke on them bill gates of hell you clown.

    It all lines up with NZ agriculture being GMO de-regulated 2025.

  11. “The amount of Australian beef sold in New Zealand supermarkets varies. The amount of Australian beef sold in New Zealand supermarkets can vary depending on supply and demand.”

    Was this written by AI? A lot of unnecessary repetition.

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