DSM-Firmenich and Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., a dairy company based in Japan, have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance the sustainability of Japanese dairy farming through the implementation of Bovaer. This is the first such agreement in Asia.
Bovaer has been extensively studied and is a scientifically proven solution to the challenge of lowering livestock’s methane emissions. In the dairy sector, methane is the most common and powerful greenhouse gas and is mainly generated in the digestive tracts of cows, released when the animals burp. Through the implementation of Bovaer, methane emissions can be reduced by approximately 30% for dairy, and 45% for beef feedlot cattle.
In 2021, Japan joined the Global Methane Pledge, aiming at a 30% reduction of absolute methane emissions by 2030. Within Japan, more than 80% of methane emissions are attributable to the agricultural sector (e.g. rice and cattle). Providing a tool to reduce emissions from more than 1 million dairy cows, and more than 3 million beef cattle is therefore an important lever to achieve this ambition.
“We are excited to expand the use of Bovaer into Asia,” said Mark van Nieuwland, vice president Bovaer at DSM-Firmenich. “I’m looking forward to working with Meiji HD to explore how to implement Bovaer in the Japanese dairy sector and particularly in the Meiji HD supply chain. Preparation works will start now, while we await local market authorization.”
Bovaer is commercially available in 58 countries including the EU, U.K., Canada, Mexico, Australia, most of Latin America, and select other markets. Authorities are reviewing an application for registration in Japan.
