TSG application for 'most natural form of milk production' published

By Mark ASTLEY

- Last updated on GMT

TSG application for 'most natural form of milk production' published

Related tags Protected geographical status

An application for Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status for haymilk, milk supposedly produced in "the most natural form",  has been opened for comment by the European Commission (EC).

Austrian haymilk cooperative Heumilch Österreich​ filed an application to secure TSG status for haymilk and several European language derivatives - heumilch, latte fieno, lait de foin, leche de heno - in August 2012.

TSG status, available under the wider European Union (EU) geographical indications (GI) scheme, recognizes “traditional character, either in the composition or means of production.”

Food names registered under the TSG scheme differ from those with protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) status in that they have no link to a specific geographical area.

Haymilk production is, according to the application filed by Heumilch Österreich, “the most natural form of milk production.”

“The key difference between standard milk and haymilk, and haymilk’s traditional character, stems from the fact that as in the earliest form of milk production, animals are not fed fermented fodder,”​ it said.

Heumilch Österreich's application was published in the EU Official Journal on September 30 2014.

An opposition period of three months is now open. Haymilk could then be granted TSG status, joining food names such as Mozzarella on the register.

"Forbidden" feed

Haymilk is produced according to traditional production conditions that comply with Heumilchregulativ, which translates roughly as 'haymilk production regulations'.

“This form of milk is distinguished by rules forbidding the use of fermented fodder, such as silage, and rules forbidding the use of animals and feed which are to be identified as ‘genetically modified’ under prevailing legislation," ​said the application.

"Forbidden" ​types of feed include silage (fermented fodder), moist hay, and fermented hay, it continued.

Byproducts from breweries, distilleries, fruit pressing, and other food processing byproducts are also prohibited - with the exception of dry cuttings from sugar manufacturing and dry protein feed from grain processing. 

Lactating animals may also not be fed products of animal origin, such as milk, whey, meat- or bone-meal. Garden waste, fallen fruit, potatoes, and urea are also banned.

Animals must instead be fed fresh grass and foliage during the 'green feeding period' and hay in the winter. 

Green rapeseed, green maize, green rye, wheat, barley, bans and field peas are among several other products permitted, the application said.

Related topics Regulation & Safety Fresh Milk

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