Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of mandating the use of Bovaer in cattle feed on farmers.

Bovaer is a methane suppressing feed product which can reduce the methane emissions of cows by an average of 27%. Every sector of the UK economy, including agriculture, must reduce emissions for us to achieve net zero by 2050. Ruminant livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, are a key contributor of emissions in the agricultural sector and Defra considers methane suppressing feed products to be an essential tool to decarbonise the agricultural sector and achieve our Net Zero commitments.

Defra's ambition is to develop a mature market of safe and effective products for widespread use in suitable cattle systems in England as soon as is feasibly possible. However, at present there are no policies in place regarding the use of methane suppressing feed products. Defra will continue to utilise best available evidence, industry and stakeholder knowledge to inform future policy direction.