Denmark looking into reports of issues with Bovaer in cows

Denmark's Minister for Agriculture has said he is keeping a close eye on reports of issues in cows that have been given the feed additive Bovaer.

Since 1 October, it has been a requirement for Danish farmers to add it to cow diets.

Bovaer contains the additive 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and is scientifically proven to reduce methane emissions from cows.

Minister for Agriculture Jacob Jensen has said that "it is too early" to say whether there's a connection between feeding cows Bovaer and the issues experienced in cows.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration is currently investigating the matter.

It has urged farmers experiencing issues in connection with the use of Bovaer to contact their adviser as soon as possible.

The Danish Food and Agriculture Association, a trade organisation of farming, food and agribusiness companies, said it is aware of a number of cases where farmers are experiencing issues in their herds.

"This is not appropriate. Therefore, we, as a sector, have initiated a number of initiatives to map the problem," its chair, Jesper Arnth Stampe, said. It has urged farmers to fill out a questionnaire on its website.

"There are also many who do not experience challenges when using Bovaer, but we are very aware of the feedback we receive," he said.