Are the manufacturers for anti-fart additives in cattle feed liable if the additives cause cattle to get sick or die? From Jonathan Turley at jonathanturley.org:
Scandinavian countries are moving to suspend the mandated use of Bovaer, a methane-reducing additive designed to reduce bovine flatulence. A contributor to methane pollution, cow farts were supposed to be reduced by the additive to reduce climate-harming pollutant. However, there are widespread reports of collapse, lethargy, reduced feed intake, fever, diarrhea, and significant drops in milk production. There are also reports of cow miscarriages and deaths, though most involve discomfort and farmers reported that the cows improved after cessation of the supplement. What could follow is a colossal product liability lawsuit.
Various countries, like Denmark, made the additive mandatory for the inclusion in feed only to have widespread reports of serious harm to cows. Norway and other countries have suspended the use of Bovaer. It is also used in the United States, but it is not required.
Most reports involve sickness and reduced production in dairy herds.
The question is whether the manufacturer is liable. Elanco US is still advertising the benefits of the supplement:
“Every dairy could use additional, diversified income. That’s where Bovaer® from Elanco comes in. Bovaer is one of the most scientifically researched and recognized methane-reduction feed ingredients globally. Bovaer provides an access point for dairy producers to be financially rewarded for reducing their dairy’s carbon footprint by decreasing their herd’s enteric methane emissions.”
There is also the question of the liability of countries that forced dairy farmers to use the product.
If these reports are accurate, the manufacturer could be sued for a design defect and, in light of the statements above, possible warning defects.
Keep calm and flatulate.
That was a cheek rippler.
Time for walkabout.