The Consortium
Who we are
The Pecorino Toscano PDO Protection Consortium was founded on February 27, 1985 and has brought together knowledge and know-how, made up of businesses, sharing a mutual love for the region and production excellence. The Pecorino Toscano PDO family consists of 245 farmers, 17 dairies, a maturer and a packager.
For over thirty years, the Consortium guarantees that only cheese that meets the product specification is labeled, recognized and sold as Pecorino Toscano PDO, handing down the tradition and strengthening the identity nationally and internationally.
Our history
February 27, 1985
The Pecorino Toscano PDO Consortium is founded at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Region of Tuscany in Florence.
March 8, 1985
The Board of Directors of the Pecorino Toscano PDO Protection Consortium meets for the very first time. The first president is the general Sergio Perrone Compagni at the Chamber of Commerce in Grossetto.
October 1985
The Consortium participates for the the first time in an international fair, choosing to appear at Anuga, a show taking place in Colonia, Germany.
July 2, 1996
Pecorino Toscano becomes part of the Denomination of Protected Origin (PDO) products. The award is given by the European Union to those food products whose characteristics depend essentially or exclusively from the territory where they are produced. The geographical area is made up of both natural and human elements,, including production characteristics and craftsmanship that are able to produce an inimitable product. To be eligible for the Protected Designation of Origin consortium members must adhere to the strict rules outlined in the Production Regulations.
Our mission
The Pecorino Toscano PDO Consortium is responsible for:
- Overseeing production and marketing of Pecorino Toscano PDO and verifying denomination use
- Promoting every initiative to protect the uniqueness of Pecorino Toscano PDO from fraud, such as competition, forgery, improper use of the PDO, and any other actions considered unlawful.
- Collaborating with the the Department of Agriculture and Ministry to protect, control, and monitor the PDO brand through monitoring agents
- Collaborating with the EU, the Italian government, the regional government, the provincial government, public and private companies, and the PDO monitoring agents to bring out the best of Pecorino Toscano PDO, available to the meet the needs of the customers;
- Support its members by having them participate in refresher courses, involving production line work;
- Promote Pecorino Toscano PDO brand marketing and sales, nationally and internationally, through events and campaigns, both on and offline.
Over the years, moreover, the Consortium has begun initiatives and partnerships to promote scientific research on sheep’s milk and Pecorino Toscano PDO in order to qualitatively improve cheese production.