MIPAAF, Bellanova: "Italy marks a further step forward in the now consolidated leadership of the recognized IIGG at a community and international level"
Today, in the Official Journal of the European Union, the implementing regulation containing the registration of the DOP “Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle” in the European register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications was published.
After a complex process both in the national and community procedure, the Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle is finally registered in the register of denominations of origin and geographical indications of the European Union, 311 Italian registered denomination.
Excellence of the Apulian and Italian gastronomic and cultural heritage, the Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle, whose historical presence is proven by numerous evidences, including a documentary produced by the Istituto Luce in Gioia del Colle on August 28, 1950, is an expression of the strong territory of milk production and its transformation according to the ancient local tradition of spun paste.
The characteristics of the milk are linked to the quality of the pabular flora typical of the Murge area, at the basis of the diet of the bovine population which with the production of its own milk gives unique characteristics to the processed product.
As for the transformation technique, it is the traditional, historical one, with the use of fresh milk only and the addition of native grafting.
At a historical-cultural level, there is a profound link between the product and the type of farms, small and medium-sized livestock farms, mainly family-run and structured according to local customs, which provide for long grazing periods.
“With Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle Dop”, underlines Minister Bellanova, “we recognize the quality of an extraordinary, inimitable Apulian product, which represents a productive and economic history, and a significant employment opportunity for those Apulian communities. And it is important to point out that in recent years the entire supply chain has seen the flourishing of new entrepreneurial activities also conducted by young people, increasingly projected onto EU and international markets ".
The basket made up of 60 DOP and IGP products of Apulian food and wine is therefore enriched with a representative product of an important agricultural-zootechnical chain. Ready for a qualitative leap which also means economic fallout. If the Apulian mozzarella has, to date, a production value of around 80 million euros, Community recognition could mean an estimated increase of around 20% in production.