A new study has found that public resistance to chemically derived methane-mitigating feed additives such as 3-NOP, the main ingredient in Bovaer, may pose a barrier to their implementation in the dairy sector.
The research reveals that the level of information and detail provided different methane-reducing feed additives has a considerable impact on public acceptance of them.
If not carefully framed, it found that information campaigns could inadvertently reduce acceptance of these interventions.
This highlights the need for differentiated policy and communication strategies tailored both to the type of additive and to the specific consumer being targeted when promoting methane mitigation in the dairy sector.
The study, titled ‘public acceptance of methane-reducing feed additives as a pathway to enhancing dairy farming sustainability’ which was published in the Journal of Dairy Science, involved a survey of 3,220 participants from four EU countries including Ireland, Finland, France, Poland.
It focused on responses to three different methane-mitigating feed additives, including:
1. Algae or seaweed extracts.
2. Plant based oils or fats.
3. A chemical feed additive, specifically the 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP).
Bovaer
Bovaer is a methane-reducing feed additive 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) authorised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use in the EU.
Controversy surrounding the rollout of bovaer on UK dairy farms in recent years - despite regulatory approval and scientific backing - showed how quickly public concern can escalate and influence acceptance or draw negative attention to the topic.
Public perception of methane-mitigating feed additives is expected to play a critical role in determining the adoption and long-term viability of these emerging technologies.
As these innovations are relatively new, there remains a limited body of research examining consumer attitudes and preferences toward low-methane feed additives.
This study revealed that the provision of additional information to participants was found to negatively affect the acceptance of natural feed additives like algae, whereas it improved support for the use of the 3-NOP feed additives.
Unsurprisingly, participants with more environmental awareness had a higher acceptance of algae/seaweed extracts and plant-based oils/fats and less acceptance for chemical feed additives.
It shows that chemical feed additives, even if intended to reduce methane emissions, could trigger concerns about potential risks to animal health, humans and ecosystems among the public.
To make a positive shift in the public perception of 3-NOP feed additives like Bovaer, education must present clear, precise and extensive information about the advantages, notably the positive environmental impact of reducing methane emissions and safety, the study details.
Dispelling public doubts and misconceptions about 3-NOP additives is fundamental in accelerating their implementation at the farm level to reduce methane emissions, it found.
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