April 3, 2023

UK cattle to be fed methane blockers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The UK government is planning to feed cattle "methane blockers" to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as part of plans for the UK to reach its climate goals, The Guardian reported.

UK farmers welcomed the proposal, which comes after an August consultation on how new types of animal feed products can reduce digestive emissions from animals.

Tom Bradshaw, deputy president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said the majority of methane emitted by cattle is released by belching.

He said the evidence indicates that these products may be useful, but they do not know enough about the impact they will have on the animals' diet efficiency.

Bradshaw said this is something that they must investigate in order to reduce methane emissions.

He also said that methane-suppressing products are being tested in the UK, but there is no evidence as to how effective they are.

Methane from cattle burps and manure contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Cattle and other farm animals account for approximately 14% of human-induced climate emissions. In the UK, there are approximately 9.4 million cows and calves.

In the UK's net zero growth strategy, the government said that it expects "high-efficacy methane-suppressing products" to enter the market by 2025 and may force farmers to use them if they prove effective.

-      The Guardian