Kvitsøylam has achieved the official Protected Geographical Indication designation. This is a great recognition of the quality and tradition associated with sheep farming on Kvitsøy and gives the product a unique protection in the market.
The allocation of Protected Geographical Indication (BGB) means Kvitsøylam now has the same legal protection in Norway as PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) in the EU. This provides an official protection of the geographical origin of the product and ensures that only lambs that meet the defined quality criteria can bear the designation Kvitsøylam.
Kvitsøylam has a unique flavour, shaped by the island's coastal pastures and special vegetation. Grass oversprayed with salt, seaweed and kelp yields a tender and mild lamb meat that has been highly prized for generations.
A thorough process
The path to Protected Geographical Indication is a comprehensive process in which manufacturers have worked purposefully to document the product's unique characteristics and traditional grounding.
The work has been done in close cooperation with the Norwegian Food Foundation. Sigve Skretting from TEAL has led the work and assisted with advice, access to the food professional network and the application writing itself.
The award was marked during the agricultural conference in Rogaland on 17 March, where Kvitsøylam and TEAL were present to celebrate the milestone. State Administrator Bent Høie was responsible for the official distribution of the plaque proving that Kvitsøylam has now achieved this protection.
An important step for local food production
Kvitsøylam is now the second product in Rogaland to have achieved Protected Geographical Indication. From before, Fjellam from Ryfylke has been granted this status, a process in which TEAL also played a central role. In order to achieve this designation, strict requirements are imposed on grazing practices, carcass weight and meat quality, ensuring that products maintain a high standard and remain unique.
There is a growing desire to get more such designations in Rogaland. The region has several products with strong traditions and unique qualities that could have benefited from such protection. Such schemes are not only a recognition, but also an important tool to ensure quality, preserve traditions and strengthen local food production.
We congratulate Kvitsøylam and the producers behind on their recognition and exclusive status!
