Editorial: Cutting red tape
OPINION: One of the world’s largest animal health and nutrition companies, DSM, now known as dsm-firmenich, has developed a feed additive Bovaer to lower methane emissions from cows.
DSM global vice president Mark van Nieuwland told Dairy News that they are excited that NZ EPA approved the use of Bovaer in the country.
“This is an important first step on the NZ registration track and eventually will support farmers with their sustainability efforts to lower emissions from livestock, while continuing to nourish the world,” he says.
According to DSM website, Bovaer is already approved for sale in over 40 countries including the EU, the US and Australia.
The NZ Government has come under criticism from farming leaders for the delay in approving Bovaer.
According to the EPA, DSM applied in 2021 to import or manufacture a substance (Bovaer) containing 10-25% of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) – a chemical that is new to New Zealand.
DSM says 3-NOP can reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals, including cows, sheep and goats, by 30%.
EPA’s general manager of hazardous substances and new organisms Dr Chris Hill says substances for climate change mitigation are still new to New Zealand and are important for meeting New Zealand’s international obligations under climate agreements.
“This is the country’s first application for a methane inhibitor, so it was important to confirm how 3-NOP would be used and the information we required to carry out an appropriate risk assessment,” says Hill.
EPA says in concentrated forms, 3-NOP can pose significant risks to people and the EPA has put in place rules for safely using the substance.
This application does not cover lower concentrations of 3-NOP likely to be added in the final products used in agriculture or by farmers, and some formulations may require separate EPA approval.
The next stage in getting Bovaer approved for sale within NZ is getting Ministry for Primary Industries approval.
MPI Deputy Director- General Vincent Arbuckle says New Zealand Food Safety has not received an application from DSM to use Bovaer in animals here under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act, and it’s the company’s choice when to make one.
“It’s important to note that the product is mostly used in housed feeding situations overseas, which differ from New Zealand practices,” says Arbuckle.
