Norway’s largest dairy company, TINE, has decided to stop using milk from cows fed with Bovaer. Safeguarding consumers and maintaining trust in Norwegian milk are the decisive factors, says Gine Wang-Reese, EVP for Communication, Policy and Owner Relations at TINE.

– Trust is fundamental to us. Norwegian milk is associated with naturalness, safety and quality, and we have seen that the use of Bovaer has created concern and uncertainty among consumers as well as some of our owners. When this scepticism continues to grow, it is our responsibility to listen and to act, Wang-Reese says in a press release.

In November, Danish authorities announced that they were investigating a possible link between the use of Bovaer and illness in certain livestock herds. As a precautionary measure, Norsk melkeråvare subsequently decided to suspend the use of Bovaer on the 70 Norwegian farms that had adopted the feed additive. Since then, scepticism towards Bovaer in Norway has intensified.

TINE continues to support scientific research into methane-reducing feed conducted at the Norwegian university NMBU but will no longer accept milk produced as part of these trials.

– The decision we are taking now does not mean that Bovaer has been shown to be harmful to animals or humans. However, it has become clear that we have not succeeded in creating the necessary sense of reassurance among consumers. When confidence is undermined, we have a responsibility to protect trust in both TINE and Norwegian milk, Wang-Reese says.

She stresses that TINE remains firmly committed to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from Norwegian milk production in line with the agricultural climate agreement.

– Our goal is also for all dairy farmers to have a climate plan in place by 2027, enabling everyone to contribute concrete measures on their own farms. The green transition must be carried out in a way that enjoys broad trust – among farmers, consumers and our customers, Wang-Reese adds.

By Lene Mikkelsen Walsh
Photo: TINE