430 Styrian farms

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Haymilk cows are now part of the world cultural heritage(Bild: SalzburgMilch)

Haymilk was named a World Agricultural Heritage Site on Saturday - the first product ever to do so in the German-speaking world. Representatives of the UN recognized the work of hay milk farmers as a significant contribution to climate protection and biodiversity.

The international association "Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations" (FAO) examined the application in detail, but was relatively quickly certain: local agriculture in the Alpine region is something special. So special, in fact, that the hay-milk farmers and their livestock were declared a World Agricultural Heritage Site. From now on, this officially applies to "traditional hay-milk farming in the Austrian Alpine arc". Representatives of the FAO presented the award on Saturday at a ceremony in front of 800 visitors at the Salzburg Congress Center.

The FAO presented the award in Salzburg. The hay-milk cows are now part of the world cultural heritage.(Bild: arge heumilch)

"A piece of Austrian tradition"
"The nomination is not only recognition for the hay milk farmers, but also a mandate to preserve and further develop this sustainable form of farming," says Karl Neuhofer, Chairman of ARGE Heumilch.

Our hay milk is a piece of Austrian tradition that combines sustainability, quality and regionality.

Landwirtschaftsminister Norbert Totschnig

Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig added: "Our hay milk is a piece of Austrian tradition that combines sustainability, quality and regionality. I am proud that our hay farming is now recognized as a global speciality. It is an honor for our agriculture and ecology."

Styrian Chamber of Agriculture rejoices
Around 590 million kilograms of hay milk are currently collected each year. In addition to Styria - where there are 430 farms - the main production areas are Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and Upper Austria as well as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The Styrian Chamber of Agriculture is also delighted: "The cattle are kept in a very animal-friendly way and the farms are very innovative."