Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1207/2013Show full title

3. Heading IV.5 ‘Method of production’ U.K.

3.1. Sub-heading IV.5.1 ‘Milk production’ U.K.

• The dairy herd is defined as ‘all the dairy cows and replacement heifers present on the holding’, it being understood that ‘the dairy cows are the lactating animals and the animals which have run dry’ and ‘the heifers are the animals which have been weaned but have not yet given birth’. The purpose of this definition is to avoid any confusion by making clear which animals are being referred to when the terms ‘dairy herd’, ‘dairy cows’ or ‘heifers’ are used subsequently in the specification.

• It is proposed that the following provision be introduced:

  ‘As from 1 January 2015 the heifers are also given harvested fodder from the geographical area. The heifers are present on the holding at least a month before they start to lactate and are, from then on, given feed that complies with the provisions of the specification for lactating dairy cows’ feed’.

This measure aims to strengthen the link between the dairy herd’s (including the heifers’) feed and the region, and to enable the animals’ feed to be controlled (in particular by avoiding any transfer of fodder between dairy cows and heifers). The time limit for applying this measure has been extended as the required measures may take a long time to put in place before feed autonomy is achieved, such as a change of practice or the reorganisation of land.

• The provision prohibiting the use of brassicas is specified as follows: ‘The consumption and distribution of brassicas in the form of green fodder is forbidden for all animals present on the holding’. This is to facilitate monitoring and avoid any ambiguity regarding certain brassicas that can be both fodder and supplements (rape for instance).

• The use of grass as the staple feed is laid down, specified and strengthened in the following provisions: ‘Grazed, wilted, pre-wilted or silaged grass makes up at least 50 % on average of the dairy cows’ annual basic ration expressed as dry matter. Grazed, wilted, pre-wilted or silaged grass makes up at least 30 % of the dairy cows’ daily basic ration expressed as dry matter’.

• The provision on the minimum amount of hay given to dairy cows outside the grazing period is rephrased and the following sentence is added: ‘Hay means mowed and dried grass with a dry matter content of more than 80 %’. It had become apparent that a definition of hay was needed for monitoring purposes.

• The conditions for storing fodder are specified as follows: ‘As from 1 January 2015 the hay intended for the dairy herd’s feed is stored under a permanent shelter in a dry place which is insulated from the ground. Ensilaged fodder is stored on a surface made of concrete or stabilised sand’. These provisions are aimed at preserving the quality of fodder. The extended time limit for the application of the first provision should allow the operators to make the necessary investments.

• In the interest of greater clarity, it is specified that the ban on keeping animals permanently in stables applies to the dairy cows only. When grass is available, grazing is mandatory for the lactating dairy cows as soon as the weather allows, under the following conditions: ‘The minimum duration of grazing is 150 days a year. In the grazing season the average pasture area available to the lactating dairy cows is at least 30 ares [3 000 m²] per cow. The animals have access to the pastures’. These conditions are aimed at enhancing the role of grazing in the dairy cows’ feed.

• The raw materials authorised in supplements given to the dairy cows and the additives authorised are now shown in two separate positive lists for greater clarity.

The following have been added to the positive list of raw materials authorised in supplements given to the dairy cows: cereal grain products, moist grain maize; oilseed and legume seed products, products derived from legume seeds, by-products from the production of amino acids by fermentation, and ammonium salts. The terms ‘protein seeds’, ‘all cattle cake without the addition of urea’, and ‘salt, minerals’ are respectively replaced by the terms ‘legume seeds’, ‘products derived from oilseeds or oil fruits without the addition of urea’ and ‘minerals’. It is also specified that ears of maize may be preserved dry or moist. These raw materials have no impact on the quality of the product.

The use of caustic soda to treat cereals and products derived from them is prohibited because it is not a traditional practice.

The sentence ‘Any additive intended to directly alter the composition of the milk is prohibited’ is replaced by the positive list of additives, which exhaustively specifies the functional categories and groups of authorised additives using the regulatory terminology. The purpose of this amendment is to avoid any ambiguity or differences in interpretation during inspections.

• A provision banning GMOs in the animals’ feed and a holding’s crops has been added in order to maintain the feed’s traditional character.

• The conditions for bringing animals purchased outside the holding into the dairy herd are specified as follows: ‘Heifers and dry cows purchased must be present on the holding at least a month before they start to lactate and, from then on, must be given feed that complies with the provisions of the specification for lactating dairy cows’ feed’. Animals purchased outside the holding are subject to an adjustment period of one month before their milk is used for the production of ‘Fourme d’Ambert’.

Lactating dairy cows may be brought into the herd under the following conditions: In a dairy herd the lactating dairy cows purchased from farmers who do not fulfil the conditions for the production of the designation of origin ‘Fourme d’Ambert’ make up at most 10 % of the holding’s total number of lactating dairy cows over that year or at most 1 lactating dairy cow over that year for holdings with fewer than 10 dairy cows.

• It is specified that ‘the unloading of vehicle tanks into stationary tanks must take place in the geographical area covered by the designation’ in order to facilitate the traceability and monitoring of the milk.

3.2. Sub-heading IV.5.5 ‘Farmhouse production’ U.K.

• In the particular case of farmhouse production, the sentence ‘milk from at most two successive milkings is used; the milk from the first milking is refrigerated so that it will keep’ is deleted. It is deemed redundant in view of the provision stating that for this type of production ‘Renneting takes place no later than 16 hours after the first milking.’

3.3. Sub-heading IV.5.3 ‘Processing’ U.K.

• It is specified that the piercing takes place ‘from the fourth day counting from the date of renneting’ instead of ‘from the fourth day following renneting’ in order to avoid any ambiguity during inspections and to reflect current trade practices.