If your social media feeds are anything like mine, then there is a high chance that you will have been bombarded with posts and videos of people pouring milk down their sinks in protest.
These posts stem from the latest conspiracy to penetrate Northern Ireland and the wider UK after dairy producer Arla announced that they would be testing an additive called Bovaer at 30 of their farms across the UK. It is claimed that when small quantities of the additive are mixed with cow feed, then it can reduce cow methane emissions by between 30 to 45 per cent.
Bovaer is made using silicon dioxide, propylene glycol, and the organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). A report by the Food Standards Authority last year found that 3-NOP “should be considered corrosive to the eyes, a skin irritant, and potentially harmful by inhalation” to humans handling it. However, experts have stated that no traces of the additive will be found in milk or produce as it is broken down in the cow’s stomach.
Many of those posting online about the additive have falsely claimed that it is liked to billionaire Bill Gates who has been the subject of many conspiracy theories in recent years.
Bill Gates has no links to Bovaer but has invested in a rival product called Rumin8 which also claims to reduce the methane emissions produced by cows. Despite these facts, the protest persists, revealing something far deeper than milk going down the drain.
Among those who have raised concerns about the additive include Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, who, in a post on X said that he had asked the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to carry out an urgent review of the additive.
If we look at the accounts that are posting about Bovaer, there are a number who are posting out of genuine concern, but there also appears to be a correlation between those pouring their milk down the sink and those who are anti-vaccination and climate change deniers.
Only a few years ago, we would have said that conspiracy theorists were on the margins of society with a distrust of official narratives; nowadays, due to a number of factors, their views are seeping into the mainstream.
This mistrust didn’t begin with social media, nor even with Michael Gove’s infamous declaration during the EU referendum that the public had “had enough of experts.” It can be traced further back, notably to the 2008 financial crisis, when the failure of economists to predict the collapse shook public confidence in “expertise.”
From that point, this mistrust ultimately became fertile ground for conspiracy theories, where evidence-based knowledge was often dismissed as untrustworthy, and unfounded narratives were left to thrive.
In a modern age, combatting conspiracy theories requires a multifaceted approach that prioritises education, transparency and trust-building. Media literacy and critical thinking skills are fundamental and should be taught in our schools, but they also need to be developed among the wider population to enable people to evaluate sources and recognise misinformation.
Institutions must also play their part by being open and transparent. With that comes acknowledging mistakes in an effort to rebuild trust and reduce the suspicion which feeds conspiracies.
Ultimately, however, instead of dismissing or mocking those who hold beliefs that are considered to be conspiracy theories, there is a crucial need for respectful dialogue which encourages those individuals to question their own evidence.
Equally important is to address the broader societal factors that make conspiracy theories appealing. Many turn to these narratives to try and make sense of things in times of uncertainty and chaos. Both traditional and social media have a role to play in this. For example, Italy’s leading news agency ANSA have introduced blockchain technology to their stories so that readers can verify the authenticity of the story and see a record of any republication, changes or corrections that have been made to the story since it’s publication, which is helping to rebuild trust in traditional media.
Social media must also take responsibility for helping to amplify misinformation. If they are to create a healthy digital environment, then they must adjust their algorithms to prioritise properly fact-checked, reliable sources and accurately label unverified claims.
If there is one thing we can take away from this recent conspiracy, it’s that there’s no point crying over spilt milk, but let’s have an engaging conversation about it so that we can have a more informed society.
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English (United States) ·