The purpose of the “Natural Grassland Product” label (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Label’) is to provide the public with information on the contribution made by a producer or service provider to the conservation and restoration of natural grasslands¹. To apply for the right to use the label, the application form (Annex 1) must be completed, whereby the applicant confirms that they have familiarised themselves with the conditions for obtaining the Label and that their activities comply with the criteria set out in those conditions. Upon receipt of the application, the Latvian Nature Fund will commence an assessment of the applicant’s compliance with the conditions.
The label is awarded to product manufacturers and service providers who incorporate managed permanent grassland into their production processes or service provision; such grassland must be:
The area of the BVZ accounts for at least 0.3 ha of the total managed area.
Permanent grassland must be managed in such a way as to ensure the rational and sustainable management of the land, whilst promoting the conservation and enhancement of grassland biodiversity. Beneficiaries who do not own farm animals and whose land is not grazed must mow it, remove the cuttings and ensure that they are put to good use.
The products comply with the quality requirements laid down in the Republic of Latvia and are labelled in accordance with the regulatory acts on product labelling. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring compliance with product quality and labelling requirements.
The use of the mark is governed by its guidelines. The mark must be visible on the product packaging or in the information about the service. On product packaging, it is either affixed as a sticker or incorporated into the product label.
Failure to comply with these conditions will result in the loss of the right to use the mark. The criteria may be amended as necessary.
The products are sourced from animals that were born and reared in Latvia.
Feeding animals
During the grazing period (a minimum of 150 days), animals must be kept on pasture. This requirement does not apply to calves up to 6 months old that have been reared on dairy farms.
At least 50% of the grazing area consists of permanent grassland (at least 50% of the animals during the grazing period are on permanent grassland).
The stocking density on pasture must be appropriate to ensure both grassland management and animal welfare, as well as to meet the animals’ nutritional requirements (the stocking density shall not exceed 0.9 livestock units per hectare on average during the grazing season).
During the winter period, areas of permanent grassland may be used for grazing, provided that stocking density is low and there is a sufficient supply of fodder, without causing damage to the grassland or leading to excessive concentrations of manure (solid excrement and urine).
In the animal feed ration, forage accounts for 100%. In cases where the quality or quantity of forage is insufficient to meet the animals’ physiological needs, cereals may be included in the feed ration, but not more than 30% of the dry matter content of the feed ration. This provision does not apply to calves, lambs and kids of beef breeds during the suckling period, but does apply to calves of dairy breeds during the milk-feeding period.
Purchased animals must remain on the farm for at least one grazing season. This condition does not apply in cases where the animals have been purchased from a farm that has been granted the right to use the “Natural Meadow Product” label.
Cattle
Compliance is required with EU legislation (Regulations No 1760/2000 and No 911/2004) and Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 134 „Procedures for the Registration of Farm and Aquaculture Animals, Their Herds and Holdings, and for the Identification of Farm Animals”, namely: all cattle [(including cattle (Bos spp.) and bison (Bison spp.)]
The provisions of EU legislation (Regulation No 21/2004) and Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 134 must be observed “Procedures for the registration of farm and aquaculture animals, their herds and holdings, and for the identification of farm animals”, i.e.: all goats and sheep (including mouflon (Ovis spp.)):
The rearing of cattle, sheep and goats must comply with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 5, “General Welfare Requirements for Farm Animals”, and the “Animal Protection Act”. In addition, the rearing of calves must comply with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 491 “Requirements for the Welfare of Calves”.
A grazing log must be kept to record grazing activity. Entries must be made in the log for each field, specifying the grazing period and the number of animals present. Grazing records may be kept in paper or electronic format. Grazing need not be recorded if natural grassland accounts for at least 50% of the managed area.
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or GMO derivatives in the form of seeds or animal feed is prohibited in production.
The use of Belgian Blue cattle or their crossbreeds for production purposes is not supported. Beef is obtained from cows, heifers and steers (castrated bulls)
The producer must ensure that the apiary is situated in such a way that, within a 3 km radius, there are at least 90 ha of permanent grassland, of which at least 30 ha must be BVZ grassland.
Each year, the producer submits the coordinates of the apiary locations to the Latvian Nature Fund, along with information on which apiaries the Meadow Honey was sourced from.
Measures must be taken to ensure that batches of meadow honey are kept separate from other types of honey.
The requirements set out in Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 134, „Procedures for the Registration of Farm and Aquaculture Animals, Their Herds and Holdings, and for the Identification of Farm Animals”, must be complied with
Other types of products (teas, cosmetics, food, etc.) are eligible for the label if they are produced using plants harvested from permanent grasslands, including areas designated as BVZ.
Seed growers are eligible to receive the mark, provided that the seeds are harvested on BVZ-designated areas and they are registered in the State Plant Protection Service’s Register of Seed Growers and Seed Traders.
Craftspeople (potters, stonemasons, woodcarvers, basket weavers, weavers, coopers, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, jewellery makers, instrument makers, etc.) may be awarded the label if their products promote the importance of natural grasslands as ecosystems that are vital to society.
The label may be awarded for tourism and recreational services if permanent grasslands (including BVZ) are used in the provision of the service and the importance of natural grasslands as ecosystems vital to society is promoted.
The harvesting of plants and seeds for the production of goods or the provision of services must be carried out in such a way and to such an extent that no damage is caused to grassland.
The owner of the "Natural Meadow Product" label is Latvian Nature Fund.
The brand was created as part of the LIFE19IPE/LV/000010 LIFE-IP LatViaNature project, with the aim of promoting business initiatives for the sustainable management of natural grasslands.
The project "Optimisation of the Management and Stewardship of Natura 2000 Protected Areas" (LIFE19IPE/LV/000010 LIFE-IP LatViaNature) is being implemented with financial support from the European Union’s LIFE programme and the State Regional Development Agency.
The information reflects solely the views of the implementers of the LIFE IP LatViaNature project; the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided here.
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