By Harry Shukman
Reform MP invests in bacteria-based protein and green technology despite railing against Net Zero
In December, a scandal erupted in the conspiratorial right over milk. Arla Foods, the dairy company that makes Cravendale milk, announced that it would trial a new feed additive on its cows to reduce methane gas emissions. This additive, named Bovaer, was accused by conspiracy fantasists of being part of a sinister plot to poison consumers in the name of climate science.
Among the loudest opponents of Bovaer (which has been ruled safe after 15 years of regulatory and scientific trials) were the MPs of Reform UK. Richard Tice, the deputy leader, tweeted about “BONKERS BOVAER”, announcing a boycott of “woke” Arla products, adding: “Let’s force them to stop this madness.”
Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth, likewise said: “I won’t be consuming anything containing Bovaer.” He even requested that the Department for the Environment undertake an urgent review of Bovaer in the food system. “I won’t be touching it,” Lowe added. “No conspiracy, I just want my food to be as natural as possible.”
Reform often plays to its conspiratorial base with pledges to combat the World Economic Forum or protect the use of cash. However, Lowe’s opposition to “unnatural” food products was especially curious given he is a major investor in a company that sustainably produces laboratory-grown protein made from bacteria.
According to the parliamentary register of interests, Lowe has invested at least £70,000 in Unibio, a firm that combines the Methylococcus capsulatus bacteria with ammonia and other chemicals to produce a single-cell “protein broth” that is then dried to form an edible powder. Made in a laboratory in Denmark, Unibio protein has been tested on cows — much like Bovaer — and is certified by UK farming bodies. It is developing a version for human consumption.
Unibio is a proudly green company, claiming on its website to pioneer “the future of sustainable protein production”. It even attended the 2023 COP climate change conference in Dubai. Like Bovaer, Unibio hopes to implement new technology to make farming less harmful to the planet.
Lowe’s investment in Unibio is all the more baffling given his vociferous opposition to climate science. “The cult of climate change marches on with no definitive evidence to support or deny the factual accuracy of their assertions,” he once said.
Other Reform UK MPs have spoken out strongly against alternative sources of protein. Richard Tice has posted on X that the “vast majority of Brits love our delicious healthy British meat”, adding: “NO NO NO to your vegan net zero madness.”
Lowe, in fact, is a major investor in green technology. He has at least a 15% stake in Kona Energy, a battery energy storage company working “to deliver a zero carbon future”. He also owns Alto Energy, a heat pump company. His colleague Richard Tice said these eco-friendly alternatives to gas boilers are “as attractive as a bucket of cold sick”, urging his followers on X: “Ignore the heat pump sellers!” Perhaps Tice could follow his own advice…
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