The present invention relates to the use of certain non-ionic surfactants, in particular alkoxylates of mono- and polyvalent alcohols, as inhibitors of methane production and/or in reducing methanogen production in vitro and/or in vivo. More specifically, the alkoxylate of a mono- or polyvalent alcohol is a compound of formula R(OC2H4)n(OH) or a mixture thereof wherein R represents a linear or branched C8-24 alkyl group and n represents an integer from 3 to 15. Such compounds have been found to be particularly useful for methane mitigation in ruminants.
