The Farts Heard ?Round the World: Where Cow-Tapping Falls on the International Agenda of Sustainable Development

• Author: Alexandra C. Nolan
• Position: J.D. Candidate 2020, American University Washington College of Law.
• Pages: 29-29

29

Fall 2017

the fartS hearD ‘rounD the worlD: where

cow-tapping fallS on the international

agenDa of SuStainable Development

Alexandra C. Nolan*

To meet sustainable development goals, countries have

developed innovative technologies to create a cleaner

environment. One technology developed in Argentina

for cleaner methane extraction entails the entrails of cows. A

cow’s diet and biological disposition is made up of “rumens,”

which creates the perfect chemical birthplace for methane gas.1

The methane emissions from one cow’s burps and farts are

harmless.2 However, cows’ collective methane emissions can be

lethal.3 Recently, a barn housing ninety cows exploded in Ger-

many because of the cows’ collective methane emissions, sug-

gesting that methane can be inherently dangerous.4

Methane also has long-term consequences for the environ-

ment, as it is expected to negatively affect the environment

twenty to twenty-three times more than carbon dioxide in the

next 100 years.5 Methane emissions from cows account for a

quarter of the world’s total methane emissions.6 With these sta-

tistics in mind, it is evident that cow burps and farts signicantly

contribute to the deterioration of our environment.

To address the methane challenge posed by cows,

Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology

(INTA) developed the cow “fart-pack.”7 The process of using

the “fart-pack” is called “cow-tapping.”8 The “fart-pack”

extracts methane through a tube inserted into the cow’s stom-

ach, stores the methane in containers, and uses it as an alterna-

tive fuel source.9 By utilizing “fart-packs,” 300 milliliters of

methane a day can be extracted from the cow to power a 100

milliliter refrigerator for one day.10 While INTA perfected the

“fart-packs,” they are not unique to Argentina—England also

uses “fart-packs.”11

Despite the “successes” of “fart-packs,” they raise impera-

tive ethical questions regarding animal welfare.12 Is there

international law that adequately addresses animal welfare?

Are the values of clean energy prioritized over values of ani-

mal protection?

Cow-tapping exemplies the compromise of animal welfare

for a scientic procedure of innovation. As to date, there is only

one ratied international agreement adequately addressing the

use of animals in scientic procedures of innovation, and it

pertains only to Europe. It is called the European Convention

for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental

and Scientic Purposes (“Convention”).13 Does the Convention

approve cow-tapping?

Article One of the Convention calls for the main purpose of

a procedure to be for the protection of the environment.14 The

main purpose of cow-tapping is trapping methane gas, and thus

can be seen as environmentally benecial.15 Another purpose for

such procedures under Article One is research.16 Another pur-

pose of cow-tapping is to research how methane can be used as

an alternative energy producer.17 A third acceptable purpose for

such a procedure under Article One is forensic inquiry.18 Cow-

tapping is a process of forensic inquiry because it reveals the

natural process of methane production. Therefore, cow-tapping

is a justied procedure under the Convention.

The Convention outlines requirements to ensure animals

experience the least amount of pain possible.19 Such require-

ments include the animal’s freedom of movement and that the

animal be given food, water, proper healthcare, and proper

supervision.20 Cow-tappers may meet these requirements.21

The Convention also calls for the use of animals in scien-

tic procedures as a last resort.22 Article Four expressly states

the Convention cannot inhibit liberties of signatories to adopt

stricter animal welfare measure involved in the procedures.23 The

Convention further states in Article Six, “[a] procedure shall not

be performed for any of the purposes . . . if another . . . method,

not entailing the use of an animal, is reasonably . . . available”

and calls for active research into alternative methods.24

Under Article Six, cow-tapping is legal in Europe. While

alternative methods for methane extraction, not including the

use of cows, are reasonably available, there is not currently an

alternative method to extract methane from cows. The challenge

faced is not how to extract methane, but how to specically

reduce cows’ methane emissions. Currently, the only way to

address this threat is to cow-tap.

Multiple international agreements governing animal wel-

fare are awaiting ratication.25 For now, only the Convention

adequately approves cow-tapping in Europe.26 The lack of inter-

national law governing cow-tapping indicates the international

community values clean energy over animal welfare. While

there are several international agreements governing clean

energy, animal welfare agreements have taken a back seat.27 One

thing is clear: the time for international consensus on animal

welfare is long overdue.

* J.D. Candidate 2020, American University Washington College of Law.

Endnotes on page 56