Science fiction
OPINION: Last week's announcement of Prime Minister’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council hasn’t gone down too well in the science community.
At least one third of all emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, comes from cows, goats, sheep, etc – ruminant animals.
Over 12 weeks, cattle that consumed the chemical 3NOP also gained 80% more body weight than those given ordinary feed.
The 3NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol) compound was developed by DSM Nutritional Products, a Dutch supplier of feed additives. The product seems safe and effective.
But note, in cows that ate the supplement there was no decrease in feed intake, fibre digestibility and milk production.
If regulators approved it and farmers began using it this methane inhibitor could cut greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.
