Organic farming

Organic farming methods permit the use of natural products only, excluding any man-made chemical substances. Today, counting producers and processing companies, there are approximately 5000 organic farming operators throughout the Emilia-Romagna region, producing a wide range of products. The quality standards of organic farming methods aspire to produce healthy, genuine produce that is guaranteed through specific certification. Through precise labelling, this produce gives consumers a detailed picture of how the product began, how it was farmed and developed. Choosing organic produce means choosing to nourish oneself with nature's own genuine tastes. It means understanding and respecting certain values, safeguarding one's health as well as that of the environment and the land by contributing in a concrete way to its protection. This is why Emilia-Romagna regional authority supports and helps farmers who want to switch to organic farming methods through laws, incentives and direct action, in line with European community policies.

Protected Designation of Origin

This European certification was established with a view to protecting and promoting typical products and to benefit from this status, the production of the raw material and processing all the way from farm to fork must occur within the specific, defined geographical area. Our PDO products are: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena (traditional balsamic vinegar), Prosciutto di Modena and Prosciutto di Parma (cured hams), Culatello di Zibello, Coppa piacentina, Pancetta piacentina and Salame piacentino (all cured pork products), Olio Extravergine d'oliva di Brisighella (extra virgin olive oil), Provolone Val Padana cheese, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia (traditional balsamic vinegar), Grana Padano cheese and Salamini alla cacciatora (salami).

Protected Geographical Indication

This European certification is reserved for products which are also attached to a geographical region, though for PDO status, only one of the phases of production need occur within that area. Our PGI products are: Pesca and Nettarina di Romagna (peaches and nectarines), Fungo di Borgotaro (mushrooms), Marrone di Castel Del Rio (chestnuts), Scalogno di Romagna (shallots), Pera dell'Emilia-Romagna (pears), Vitellone bianco dell'Appennino centrale (veal), Mortadella Bologna, Cotechino Modena, Zampone Modena and Coppa ferrarese (pork products), Asparago verde di Altedo (green asparagus).

Traditional Speciality Guaranteed

This certification of specific character relates to the traditional elements that clearly distinguish a foodstuff or agricultural product from similar products in the same category. Moreover, the product must be obtained using traditional raw materials and the composition and method of production/ processing must also be traditional. The traditional nature of products is not defined by any specific geographical area, indeed products can be produced anywhere in Europe, as long as they are produced to the registered specification.
TSG status makes no reference to territorial origin, and is reserved for those products in which traditional composition, a production method established by custom and specific characteristics deserve to be valorized throughout the European Community. The only Italian product to currently benefit from TSG status is Mozzarella.