FrieslandCampina urges farmers to supply VLOG milk for cheese plants

Dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina has urged its member farmers to supply milk that complies with the German Verband Lebensmittel Ohne Gentechnik (VLOG) standard for its cheese production facilities in Born and Workum in the Netherlands.

VLOG certification is provided to companies following an examination of the whole chain, beginning from the cow feed, dairy farm, logistics and milk processing through to the product’s placement on the shelf.

Participating dairy farmers are required to provide their cows with feed that is free from gene technology in order to meet the VLOG standard.

Additionally, firms need to ensure that cows are grazed entirely in the open air at their farms and also guarantee that this milk is processed in a separate milk stream.

A total of 183 farmers from the dairy cooperative previously began a pilot scheme for the production of VLOG-compliant milk last year.

FrieslandCampina Europe Cheese Retail managing director Fridjov Broersen said: “By responding quickly to the demand for cheese made in conformity with the VLOG standard, FrieslandCampina strengthened its position in the German market.

“As the demand from German customers for this cheese is increasing, we need more member milk that meets this standard.”

The ‘VLOG cheese’ is currently produced in the cheese plants in Workum and Steenderen in the Netherlands.

The Dutch dairy co-operative intends to capitalise on the demand in the German market by producing cheese that meets VLOG standards.