CFIA approves 3NOP as first feed ingredient to reduce methane emissions from cattle

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), is announcing the approval of 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3NOP) as a new livestock feed ingredient aimed at reducing methane emissions from cattle.

Canadian farmers and ranchers are long-time partners with the environment and manage their land and animals to ensure sustainable and viable operations for the long-term. The efficiency and environmental footprint of beef production in Canada has continued to improve over time, and based on the most recent National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA), our sector is on track to meet the 2030 goal.

The CFIA intends to add 3NOP to the Canadian Food Inspection Table (CFIT) under the renamed Subclass 6.19.4 (Gut modifier ingredients: Ingredients for the mitigation of environmental impacts related to livestock production). 3NOP has the potential to reduce rumen methane emissions, and its use has shown no negative impacts on rumen microbial population, rumen pH, dry matter intake, fibre digestion or production, when fed to cattle.

“We are very pleased to see the regulatory pathway open for innovative feed ingredients
that reduce methane missions which will contribute to our sector meeting its 2030 emissions
goal,” says Nathan Phinney, President of the CCA. “We applaud the CFIA for their diligence on this file to ensure this new tool is available, which will allow Canadian beef producers to remain competitive globally.”

CCA and National Cattle Feeders Association are confident this approval aligns with the beef industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship while meeting the need for innovative and practical tools to help reduce GHG emissions in the beef cattle sector.