England: The UK government has introduced a scheme to reduce milking of dairy cows

UK farmers are being forced to give their dairy cows ‘methane suppressors’ to reduce carbon emissions. Cows eat ‘compound feed’ with seaweed additives and essential oils to reduce digestive gas.

As shown in The Prado Newspaper This Monday morning (3) our International Correspondent Evan Kleber reported that the Supreme Court told the government that it was not sufficiently detailed in its climate plans to reach net zero by 2050, which is part of the UK government’s Zero Net Growth Plan.

The UK’s commitment to the Global Methane Pledge is to reduce emissions by 20% by 2030 and cattle supplements could be introduced “as soon as possible” or “faster” from 2025.

Farm animals generate about 14% of global carbon emissions.

The scheme would add about 33p ($0.55 CAD) a year to the average consumer’s milk bill, but the government could subsidize the new ration.

Dustin Benton, a former government adviser on food strategy, told the Daily Telegraph that the feed could also be used for goats.

“Most dairy cows are milked twice a day, and they usually eat when they go to milk, so this is a great way to get them in,” Benton said.

Benton said more action is needed to reduce the animals’ environmental impact.

Gas suppressors include seaweed, organic acids, probiotics, antibiotics, and essential oils that reduce methane gas during digestion.