Bovaer-free milk in the UK: which dairies say they don't use it?
Updated 24 October 2026. Every claim links to its source.
UK dairies and milk brands that have publicly said their farms don't use the Bovaer feed additive.
Key points
- What it is: Bovaer (3-NOP) is a feed additive that reduces cows' methane. The FSA says it is approved in Great Britain, "is metabolised by the cows so does not pass into the milk", and "was not found in milk in any of the trials presented to the FSA" (FSA, 5 Dec 2024; Food Standards Scotland).
- What "Bovaer-free" means here: how the cows were fed, based on what the dairy says. It is not a claim about milk content or health.
- Organic milk: the Soil Association says Bovaer "would not be permitted under organic standards" (Soil Association); OF&G says it "could not be used on organic farms" (OF&G); SOPA says it is "not approved" on its certified farms (SOPA).
- Labels won't tell you: feed additives are not shown on milk labels (FSA), so ask the dairy.
- Arla: announced a UK project on 26 November 2024 and now says "Our UK projects on methane-reducing supplements have now ended, and the findings are currently being reviewed." It won't label products because "Bovaer® is not in any of our products as it does not get into the milk" (Arla statement). It doesn't say whether it will use Bovaer again.
Dairies with a direct statement (8)
Some statements date from 2024 and cover only that dairy's farms at the time; open "Evidence" for the scope. Medium and unverified listings are in the full dairy directory.
Graham's Family Dairy High
Scotland's largest independent milk producer: milk, butter, cream, cheese and yogurts.
Evidence
MD Robert Graham told The Scotsman that Bovaer is an additive 'which none of our farming partners use'.
Named company quote in a national newspaper (Dec 2024).
Mossgiel Organic Farm High
Organic, grass-fed milk and dairy from Mossgiel and partner farms.
Evidence
Statement quoted by The Scotsman: Bovaer is 'not on the menu'; all supplying farms are organic and grass-fed.
Company statement quoted in the press, and organic certification does not allow Bovaer.
Yeo Valley Organic High
Organic yogurts and dairy, widely sold in supermarkets.
Evidence
Reuters fact check (19 Dec 2024): Yeo Valley Organic products are not made with milk from cows given Bovaer, per the company and its organic certifier.
Independent fact check citing the company and its certifier. Arla holds a licence for some Yeo Valley-branded milk, butter and cheese, and those are organic too.
Tims Dairy High
Greek-style and other yogurts made with West Country milk.
Evidence
'We can confirm... that Bovaer is not used as a feed additive in any of the cow's milk supplied to our dairy.' (3 Dec 2024)
Company's own statement. Town is from general knowledge.
Lancashire Farm High
Natural, Greek-style and kefir-style yogurts.
Evidence
'Bovaer is not used as a feed additive in any of the cow's milk supplied to our dairy... we have no plans to incorporate this additive in the future.'
Company's own statement.
Morphet Farms (South Lakes Organic Milk) High
South Lakes Organic Milk, supplied to Booths supermarkets since 2003.
Evidence
Facebook statement quoted by the Lancashire Evening Post: none of its producers 'are using or intend to use Bovaer'.
Company statement quoted in the press. Website not confirmed.
Jones Dairies High
Family-run doorstep milk and grocery delivery in Barry and the surrounding area.
Evidence
Homepage 'Bovaer Statement November 2024': 'none of our milk contains the Bovaer additive'.
Company's own statement. Note it says 'contains', and Bovaer is not found in milk in any case (FSA). Ask whether its farms feed it.
Middleton's Dairy High
Doorstep milk and dairy delivery in the Hope Valley area. Milk comes from Jackson's Dairy.
Evidence
Checked with supplier Jackson's Dairy: 'none of the farms they work with are using this supplement' and they don't plan to.
Company's own statement about its supplier.
Organic: a rule, not a promise
- Every organic business must be certified by an approved control body and inspected at least once a year (GOV.UK).
- Organic milk from a mixed supplier must be produced completely separately and audited every year (Soil Association).
- Yeo Valley: "Yeo Valley Organic does not allow feed additives for the reduction of methane within our supply chain" (Reuters, 19 Dec 2024).
- Look for a code such as GB-ORG-05 (Soil Association) or GB-ORG-02 (OF&G); see the organic guide.
How to check with a dairy
- Look for a written statement on the dairy's own site.
- Check its scope: "not in the trial" is narrower than "none of our farms use it and we have no plans to".
- Otherwise, ask whether any supplying farm uses Bovaer or another methane-reducing additive, and whether that could change.
- A statement reflects what the dairy said on that date.
This page reports what dairies and certifiers have said. It is not medical or nutritional advice. The FSA has approved Bovaer as safe (FSA). Listing is not an endorsement and no dairy has paid to appear. See our disclaimer.