Bovaer use has been paused in Norway after reports from Denmark of cows collapsing and reduced milk yields. On 12 November 2025, milk supplier Norsk Melkeråvare said it would suspend the methane‑reducing feed additive on Norwegian dairy farms as a precaution while awaiting more information on alleged adverse effects observed in some Danish herds.
What Norway decided and why
Norsk Melkeråvare has halted Bovaer “until further notice” under the precautionary principle. The company says there are no documented negative effects linked to the additive in Norway, but the pause aims to secure clarity before broader roll‑out. Officials and industry partners will reassess once new data from Denmark and ongoing Norwegian trials are reviewed.
Reports from Denmark: welfare concerns and data gaps
Since October, Danish farmers have reported distress in cows – including collapse, loss of appetite and lower milk yield – after introducing Bovaer to comply with new methane rules. A sector survey indicates over one hundred farmers experienced problems; around half of respondents who encountered issues say they reduced or stopped using the additive and subsequently saw challenges subside.
Authorities stress that causality is unproven and investigations continue. Denmark’s food minister has said the situation is being closely monitored.
What is Bovaer and how it works
Bovaer (3‑nitrooxypropanol, 3‑NOP) is a feed additive designed to reduce enteric methane from ruminants. It inhibits the enzyme methyl‑coenzyme M reductase in the rumen, curbing methanogenesis during digestion. Trials and meta‑analyses report average methane reductions around 30%, though results vary by ration and farm.
Danish rules and Norway’s 2027 plan
From 1 January 2025, Danish dairy farms above a size threshold must cut methane either by feeding more fat year‑round or by using 3‑NOP additives like Bovaer for at least 80 days annually. Norway has planned a phased introduction from 2027 of methane‑inhibiting feeds for dairy cows, also linked to climate commitments in agriculture.
The Norwegian pause does not change the long‑term climate targets, but it may shift timing and the design of any national programme.
What regulators and scientists say about safety
The European Commission authorised 3‑NOP for dairy cows in 2022 after a positive EFSA assessment on safety and efficacy. The UK Food Standards Agency likewise says the additive is safe at approved doses and does not pass into milk.
Regulators caution that dose, feeding practice and farm conditions matter; monitoring and reporting of adverse events remain essential.
What it means for Nordic dairy and EU climate goals
The Norwegian pause underscores a trade‑off at the heart of climate policy in agriculture: rapid methane cuts versus animal welfare and farm‑level practicality. Nordic authorities will seek robust evidence before scaling up.
For the EU, which relies on national measures to tackle agricultural methane, the episode may prompt clearer guidance, stronger on‑farm monitoring, and a broader look at alternative mitigation (from manure management to breeding and feed optimisation).
Further decisions in Norway and Denmark will shape how climate‑aligned dairy develops across the region.
Norway’s suspension of Bovaer is precautionary, not a safety ruling. The outcome will depend on fresh data from Danish herds, regulator reviews and the performance of mitigation tools in real‑world Nordic conditions.
