Wednesday, 26 July 2023 14:55

Bovaer delay

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: While authorities in New Zealand take their time to decide if a feed supplement promising to slash a cow's methane output should enter the New Zealand market, other countries are giving the green light to farmers to use it.

Research has found Bovaer can reduce a cow's methane output by 30% in non-pasture cattle. Fonterra also announced it would team up with DSM to trial the product in early 2021.

While officials blame Covid and the high number of other applications for the delay, politicians are pointing out that the waiting is costing the industry.

Bovaer has now been cleared in more than 45 countries, with Paraguay the most recent. Bovaer, developed by Dutch animal health firm DSM, first applied in February 2021 for Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approval in NZ. DSM is no doubt hoping that a positive ruling is imminent.

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