Milk analysis

Contributions can be paid directly to farmers or through the Consorzio dei caseifici sociali del Trentino (CONCAST), which collects applications on behalf of its members.

With determination nr.3534 of 09 April 2025, the UMST Agriculture updated the criteria for the implementation of this measure, confirming that the contributions fall under the "de minimis" regime (small amounts of aid) provided for by EU regulations, with a limit of Euro 50,000.00 per company over a period of three fiscal years.

In view of the increased costs established by the Provincial Council resolution for the analyses and the comparison with operators in the sector, it was decided to update the eligible expenditure for each sample analysed, increasing it from Euro 19.50 to Euro 21.00 (excluding VAT).

The proposed changes apply to applications for contributions already submitted by 31 December 2024 for analyses relating to the year 2025, which have not yet been examined, and to the new deadlines for submitting applications for contributions, which must be submitted by 31 December 2024, for expenses incurred from 1 January to 31 December 2025. Applications must be submitted exclusively in telematic mode via PEC.

The resolution was approved in accordance with European regulations and the updated implementing rules replace the previous ones established in 2015.

The facilities provided for by Article 43, paragraph 2 bis of Provincial Law No 4 of 28 March 2003 can be granted to livestock farms that meet the following requirements:

Headquarters in theProvince of Trento: Companies must have a head office or branch in the Province of Trento, registered with the Provincial Board for Health Services of Trento.

Companies in the Grana Padano PDO area: Companies located in the geographical area of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Grana Padano, type Grana Trentino or Trentingrana, may also benefit from the facilities, provided that they deliver the raw material to processing sites located in the province of Trento.

Farm File: The beneficiary must be in possession of an updated farm file.

Facilities are in any case subject to the three-year limit of EUR 50,000, as established by Regulation (EU) No 316/2019, amending Regulation (EU) 1408/2013.

The application for a contribution must be submitted to the competent agricultural department using the form provided below.

The deadline for submission is 31 December of the year preceding the annual service of sample collection and analysis.

The modalities for submitting the application are as follows:

• Electronic transmission via PEC: The application must be sent to serv.agricoltura@pec.provincia.tn.it.

Applications sent after the deadline are considered inadmissible. In addition, applications may be submitted directly by the company or via Con.ca.s.t., as specified in the criteria.

The procedures for submitting applications for aid vary depending on whether or not the livestock farms are members of the Consorzio dei caseifici sociali del Trentino (Con.ca.s.t.):

Livestock farms that are not members of Con.ca.s.t.

Companies that are not members of Con.ca.s.t. may apply directly for a contribution towards the costs incurred for the collection of samples and analyses of milk, milk products and animal feed. However, to be eligible for the contribution, these companies must use laboratories accredited according to international standards for the relevant analyses.

Livestock farms that make use of Con.ca.s.t.'s analysis service

Livestock holdings that are:

• Associated with cooperative structures that are members of Con.ca.s.t., or
• Not associated with cooperative structures but which use the analysis service of Con.ca.s.t.,

must submit the application through the Consortium, which is responsible for:

• Collecting the samples and performing the analyses.
• Submission of the Annual Programme of Analyses and the request for funding to the competent Service.
• Collection of the public contribution, which is done directly through Con.ca.s.t.

Companies that have not yet been delegated can authorise Con.ca.s.t. to carry out all these activities by means of a "one-off" delegation, which remains valid until revocation by the company.

In summary, companies that are not members of Con.ca.s.t. must manage the submission of applications independently, while those that are members or that use the services of Con.ca.s.t. can do so through the Consortium, which manages the entire process, including the collection of the contribution.

The grant is awarded by 31 December of each year, reporting by 30 June (plus one) of each year.