Authors: Cait MacPhee -The University of Edinburgh, Aiduan Borridon - University College London, Lorna Dawson - The James Hutton Institute, Stijn Van Ewijk - University College London, Rupert Hough - The James Hutton Institute, Gavin Melaugh - The University of Edinburgh, Frances Sandison - The James Hutton Institute, Camilla Thomson - The University of Edinburgh
Report by the James Hutton Institute and SEFARI Gateway
Author: Rupert Hough
Mandatory End of Project report for RI-B7-01. Approved by RESAS on 09 March 2026
To meet climate change targets, countries including Scotland are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture contributes around 10% of UK emissions, of which methane from ruminant livestock contributes around half. Across sectors, mitigation methods are being explored. The feed additive 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP, Bovaer) can reduce cattle methane emissions by up to 30% by inhibiting the final enzyme in methane synthesis in the rumen microbiome.
The Brexit ‘Trade and Co-operation Agreement’ of 2020 increased trade friction, red tape and costs for trade in animals and animal products between UK and EU. The ‘reset’ announced in May 2025 included immediate agreements on energy and fishing, and identified further areas to negotiate, including an Animal and Plant Health or ‘Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Agreement’ (SPS). Issues for the ongoing negotiations include the extent of the ‘short list’ of exceptions in UK alignment with EU rules (and ‘dynamic alignment’ with future rules) and the fee the UK must pay.
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Previously, calves born on dairy farms, but which were not required for rearing to replace animals in the milking herd (so called ‘surplus’ calves, or ‘non-replacement’ calves) were slaughtered early in life. However, many factors in both the dairy and beef sectors have changed. New research shows that the use of female sex-sorted semen on dairy farms has reduced the number of unwanted male calves born, while the use of beef semen allows production of calves for the dairy-beef market.
Author: Dr Emma Baxter
This document was produced as part of the Scottish Government Rural Affairs and the Environment Portfolio Strategic Research Programme 2022-2027, Theme A, Project SRUC-A3-2 EU exit and animal welfare. For more information: https://sefari.scot/research/projects/eu-exit-challenges-and-opportunities-for-animal-welfare.
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Welcome to the January 2026 edition of The Spark, your update from SEFARI Gateway (Centre of Expertise for Knowledge Exchange & Innovation) on the latest research developments from the Scottish Government’s Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) strategic research programme. The ENRA Research Portfolio provides evidence for policy and practice across environment, climate change, biodiversity, land use, agriculture, food, and rural community agendas.
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