Online discussions sometimes claim that Bovaer® is part of an effort to control farming or a wider global agenda.
Bovaer® is a feed additive for dairy and beef cattle; the policy framework around its use is decided separately in each market. In most markets, its use is voluntary, and farmers, advisers, dairy companies, cooperatives, retailers, and governments make decisions within their own programs, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability targets.
Bovaer® adds to the actions already happening on farms to improve the dairy footprint. It can complement improvements in animal health, feed efficiency, manure management, and grazing practices rather than replacing them.
Responsible adoption depends on farmer choice, clear information, trusted advice, and fair incentives. Farmers should not be expected to carry the cost of an environmental benefit that creates value across the wider food chain.
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"Bovaer® would be unapproved, unregulated, experimental, too new, or being tested on farms for the first time."
Bovaer® is supported by science, regulation, and real-world farm experience. It has undergone the full feed-additive authorization process, including independent scientific assessment covering animal safety, consumer safety, user safety, environmental safety, and efficacy.
Before reaching farms, Bovaer® underwent extensive scientific research, development, and independent regulatory review. From the start of scientific investigation in 2008, to the discovery of the active ingredient in 2010, through research and registration trials, and to its first market authorizations in 2021, every step required robust evidence of safety and effectiveness.
That evidence was substantial. The regulatory dossier included around 100 dedicated safety studies, alongside efficacy, animal tolerance, and environmental assessments. These data were reviewed by independent food safety authorities worldwide, including the most demanding ones such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), and Japan's Food Safety Committee. They concluded that Bovaer® is safe for animals, consumers, and the environment when used as authorized.
The experience gained since approval further strengthens this picture. Since commercial launch in 2021, Bovaer® has been incorporated into the daily feeding of more than 500,000 cattle across more than 25 countries, with approvals in around 75 countries worldwide. Farmers, nutritionists, regulators, and dairy value-chain partners have accumulated years of practical experience with its use.
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Bovaer® | dsm-firmenich Taste, Texture & Health
"How can the quality and independence of research on Bovaer® be assessed?"
Research on Bovaer® includes studies funded by dsm-firmenich, collaborative research with independent institutions, and studies conducted fully independently by organizations such as Wageningen University & Research, Aarhus University, Penn State University, Teagasc, and LfL Bavaria.
What matters most is whether research is rigorous, transparent, and consistent. Studies are published in peer-reviewed journals, where independent experts review the methods, data, and conclusions. Together, these studies represent a large and diverse body of evidence from around the world.
Authorization is not a one-time event. Like other authorized feed additives in the EU, Bovaer® remains subject to ongoing regulatory oversight and its authorization must be renewed every 10 years. Regulators can review new scientific evidence at any time, and the current EU authorization runs until April 2032.
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