Methane on the Menu: Denmark’s Tax, Bovaer, and the Global Ripple Effect

The future of flatulence and food.

Cows are seen on a farm near Albany, Western Australia, on April 13, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Last month, Denmark officially became the first country to tax livestock emissions, including methane produced by cows and pigs.

Dubbed the “fart tax” by waggish critics, the levy is part of the Green Tripartite Agreement, a policy hammered out over months of negotiations between farmers, industry representatives, and environmental groups.

Starting in 2030, Danish farmers will be charged 300 kroner (US$43; £34) per tonne of methane, escalating to a hefty 750 kroner by 2035.

The measure, intended to curb agricultural greenhouse gases, has sparked widespread debate. Advocates hail it as a landmark step in tackling climate change, while detractors argue it’s an unnecessary burden on farmers already struggling with rising costs.

Regardless of which side you’re on, Denmark’s methane tax is blowing open a new frontier in global climate policy.

Billionaires, Butter, and Burping Cows

Facing the daunting task of methane management, Danish dairy giant Arla Foods, best known for its Lurpak butter, is trialling Bovaer, a feed additive designed to reduce methane by up to 30 percent.

Bovaer works by suppressing the enzyme that triggers methane production in cows’ digestive systems, a scientific feat that has delighted environmentalists.

Not to be outdone, global tech titans have entered the fray.

Bill Gates, through his Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund, has backed Australian start-up Rumin8, which is developing a rival feed additive.

Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos has donated $9.4 million to the UK’s Pirbright Institute for a methane-reduction vaccine.

The global stakes are high. Dairy and meat production account for roughly 3 percent of all global emissions. The methane arms race has become a symbol of how private and public sectors are experimenting with unorthodox solutions to address a warming planet.

Enter the MooLoo and Marsupial Microbes

If feed additives aren’t your thing, fear not, there are plenty of unconventional solutions vying for attention.

In Germany, behavioural scientists have trained cows to use a toilet, charmingly nicknamed the “MooLoo,” to manage their urine’s environmental impact.

Norway has taken a more sci-fi approach, zapping cow manure with a plasma gun to reduce methane by 99 percent and transform slurry into eco-friendly fertiliser.

Beef products in a supermarket in Albany, Western Australia, on July 6, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Then there’s the curious case of baby kangaroo faeces.

Researchers in Washington State are experimenting with microbial cultures derived from joey droppings, which, when fed to cows, replace methane-producing gut bacteria with those that emit acetic acid instead.

The added bonus? Acetic acid promotes muscle growth, potentially making cows both greener and beefier, a boon for steak lovers everywhere.

The Uncomfortable Questions

But beneath the optimism lie concerns about the impact of feed additives like Bovaer.

Critics argue that while studies suggest Bovaer is safe for livestock and humans in the short term, long-term effects are less certain.

For instance, some studies have noted potential health impacts on livestock, including changes in ovary size and fertility, though these have been deemed “not adverse” in certain assessments.

Questions about whether Bovaer affects animal behaviour or overall health across generations remain unanswered, leaving room for scepticism.

On the human side, handling Bovaer poses its own risks. Its active ingredient, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), is an irritant to skin and eyes and can be harmful if inhaled, prompting strict safety protocols for those who handle it.

Some studies have raised concerns about its potential genotoxicity, though this is largely a theoretical risk for workers exposed to high levels.

While regulatory bodies assure consumers that 3-NOP does not accumulate in meat or milk at harmful levels, worries about residue linger among sceptics who argue that more transparency is needed.

Australia’s Softer Approach

Unlike Denmark, Australia has avoided punitive measures.

Instead, the country is investing in innovation to meet its commitment under the Global Methane Pledge, which aims for a 30 percent reduction in methane emissions by 2030.

Initiatives include funding for Asparagopsis, a native seaweed that reduces methane when added to cattle feed.

Ashgrove Eco-Milk, produced in Tasmania, is already capitalising on these efforts. The world’s first low-emission milk is made possible by cows snacking on Asparagopsis-infused muesli.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Neutral Foods, funded by Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, offers carbon-neutral dairy products in major supermarkets.

Both brands exemplify how technology can transform agriculture without placing undue strain on farmers.

A woman grabs a bottle of milk in a supermarket in Perth, Western Australia, on March 16, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Coles, one of Australia’s leading supermarkets, has been using Bovaer since 2022 in partnership with feedlots and research institutions.

Warren Barnett, a supplier to Coles’ carbon-neutral beef program, heralds the supplement as a game-changer in sustainable farming.

“This small tweak to feed management has a huge environmental impact while ensuring our beef remains top-notch,” Barnett said, adding that 5,500 cattle in his herd are already benefiting from the additive.

Transparency and Trust

Despite these advances, critics are calling for greater transparency.

In Australia, regulations don’t require labelling for products derived from livestock-fed additives like Bovaer, leaving consumers in the dark.

Social media campaigns are demanding clearer information, with some producers considering voluntary “no Bovaer” labels to cater to sceptics.

Meanwhile, boycotts of Arla Foods have spread across Europe, driven by concerns over the methane tax and its potential ripple effects on food prices.

Farmers argue that they’re being unfairly targeted, while environmentalists insist that bold measures are necessary to tackle climate change.

Cows graze in a field near a wind turbine in the village of Hjolderup, Denmark, on May 8, 2023. Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images

The Future of Flatulence and Food

Denmark’s methane tax may be controversial, but it has sparked a global conversation about how agriculture can adapt to environmentalists’ fears of a warming planet.

From plasma guns to kangaroo microbes and seaweed snacks, the quest to manage methane has become a curious blend of science, policy, and ingenuity.

Whether these measures lead to lasting change or simply a lot of hot air remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: even cow burps are getting their moment in the spotlight.

For those in Australia seeking to purchase meat and dairy products free from Bovaer, the following have been confirmed as not containing this additive: Mungalli Creek Dairy, Made by Cow Raw Milk, Norco Foods, Fonterra Australia (Bega, Western Star, Mainland, Perfect Italiano), Maleny Dairies, Hunter Belle Dairy Co, Blue Bay Cheese, Wolki Farm, Provenir, Cherry Tree Organics, Ethical Farmers.