Danish farmers are reporting concerning health problems in their dairy herds following the mandatory introduction of a methane-reducing feed supplement. The additive, known as Bovaer, was implemented as a legal requirement this year despite prior warnings from animal welfare researchers.
Multiple farmers describe cows losing appetite, showing signs of distress, and in some cases collapsing. The issues appear particularly pronounced in high-yielding dairy herds, which have been selectively bred for maximum milk production. Veterinary reports indicate symptoms ranging from reduced feed intake and lower milk production to more severe cases of digestive paralysis and sudden deaths.
Animal welfare expert Lene Munksgaard had warned parliamentarians before the mandate took effect. She stated clearly that from an animal welfare perspective, the widespread use was not justified. Her concerns centered on insufficient research into potential side effects and existing studies showing reduced feed consumption in cattle.
Despite these warnings, Danish authorities proceeded with making Bovaer mandatory for conventional farmers for at least 80 days annually. The decision was part of the agricultural sector's climate strategy, positioning the supplement as a technological solution to reduce methane emissions without cutting livestock numbers.
The situation highlights a recurring tension in agricultural policy between environmental goals and animal welfare considerations. Denmark's dairy industry has undergone intensive specialization, with modern cows producing approximately 25% more milk than two decades ago despite a 7% smaller herd. This high-production context may make animals more vulnerable to dietary changes.
Farm organizations are now calling for a temporary suspension of the mandatory Bovaer requirement until proper investigations can be conducted. The chairman of the Danish Milk Producers Association described the need for a timeout given the widespread problems being reported across multiple herds.
Agricultural authorities have responded by allowing exemptions for sick animals and entire herds under certain conditions. However, the government has resisted calls for a full pause, citing the need for more evidence connecting the health issues directly to the feed additive.
Research projects are underway to examine the animal welfare implications, but these won't conclude for several years. This timeline creates a difficult situation for farmers currently experiencing problems while trying to comply with legal requirements.
The manufacturer, DSM-Firmenich, maintains that Bovaer is a proven, safe solution used successfully in over 25 countries. They emphasize that global authorities have thoroughly analyzed the product and confirmed its safety and effectiveness.
This situation represents a classic policy dilemma where environmental ambitions may have outpaced animal welfare safeguards. The mandatory implementation across Denmark's entire conventional dairy sector created a large-scale natural experiment, with concerning early results now emerging from farm gates across the country.