Ceremony in Salzburg

Haymilk cows are now part of the world cultural heritage

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

A ceremony for the "traditional hay-milk farming in the Austrian Alpine arc" was held at the Salzburg Congress Center on Saturday.

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. Officially, this now 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 designation 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. 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."