Agriculture accounts for most of Sweden’s methane emissions. Above all, it is the animals’ digestion of feed that causes the emissions. 600 dairy cows live on Fröstorp’s farm in Herrljunga. Here, the cows will now begin to be fed with a feed supplement that affects an enzyme in the stomach.
– If we can help slow down the emissions of climate-affecting methane from animals, we want to do it, says farmer Emil Karlsson.
“Billions must come forward”
In a report from 2023, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency writes that supplements in the feed are one of the few measures available to reduce methane emissions from animals. In studies, it has been possible to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows by around 30 percent. Fröstorp’s farm participates in a project with a Swedish food company. Without their money it would not have been possible.
– The profitability is not so great in agriculture that we can undertake this green transition ourselves. It’s billions we’re talking about, which will have to come so that agriculture can adjust, says farmer Emil Karlsson.
The government wants profitability and competitiveness
Minister of Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren (KD) certainly believes in feed supplements, but not that it is subsidized by the state.
– Currently, there is no such support. The most important thing is that we strengthen competitiveness and increase profitability.
Is it more important than reducing emissions?
– Yes, in this budget we invest 746 million more in agricultural support. We also have investments in biogas, which can also improve profitability, says Peter Kullgren.
Dare to put pressure
Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) also says that the profitability of agriculture is important, but that she does not hesitate to put pressure on the farmers.
Is meat and milk production something politicians dare not do anything about?
– We dare, of course, but the problem is rather how do we ensure that we get the right effect. If the effect is that Swedish farmers close down their operations, and that we instead buy meat produced in other countries, then we have not fundamentally solved the problem, says Romina Pourmokhtari.