Tête de Moine AOP trade association

Foundation and purpose

On 18 September 1997 Tête de Moine AOP trade association was founded in Bellelay as an umbrella trade organisation dedicated to achieve the registration of Tête de Moine AOP as a protected designation of origin. Our trade organisation comprises milk producers, cheese-makers and ripening experts.

The purpose of the association is set down in its articles as follows:

• to register and maintain the protected designation of origin Tête de Moine AOP, Bellelay cheese PGI/AOP
• to establish favourable prerequisites for optimum product marketing, in particular:
  • promote coordinated marketing efforts at home and abroad using a uniform communication strategy while taking any existing infrastructure into account
  • support activities that help maintain and improve product quality within the AOP specifications
  • control supply and price within the conditions set down by the new milk market ordinance
  • define a common brand policy
• to represent Tête de Moine AOP towards the authorities and the public
• to engage in any other activities helping o promote Tête de Moine AOP.

The Organisation

The committee

The committee consists of 7 members, the three milk producers represent the districts of Courtelary, Franches Montagnes and Moutier, the ripening expert, two representatives of the private cheese dairies and one of the cheese dairy in Saignelégier.

Delegates' conference

There are 19 members elected for the delegates' conference, each cheese dairy and ripening expert has a seat. The ten milk producers elect six members to represent a cheese producing dairy each. Based on their production size the cheese dairies Fornet-Dessous and Saignelégier may elect two delegates each.

President

Manager