{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2010-1121/annex-II/division-COUNCIL/division-4/division-4.6/division-1",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2010-1121/annex-II/division-COUNCIL/division-4/division-4.6/division-1.json",
  "legislation": "eur/2010/1121",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Regulation (EU) No 1121/2010 of 2 December 2010 entering a designation in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications [Edam Holland (PGI)]",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2010-1121",
  "path": "annex/II/division/COUNCIL/division/4/division/4.6/division/1",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Historical background",
  "text": "Edam Holland is an exponent of the Dutch tradition of cheese making, which stretches back to the Middle Ages and reached maturity as early as the 17th century (the Golden Age).\nIt is largely the geographical position of the Netherlands (mostly below sea level), its climate (a maritime climate) and the composition of the grass that grows there (predominantly on sandy and clay soils) that make the milk so suitable for producing a high-quality cheese that is packed with flavour.\nThe quality assurance systems in place on dairy farms and the intensive quality assessment system (each delivery of milk is tested and assessed according to various quality parameters) together guarantee the quality of the milk. Furthermore, there is an unbroken cold chain until the moment the milk is processed, with the milk being put into cold storage on the farm (maximum 6 °C) and transported to the factory in refrigerated tankers. The relatively short distances involved also help maintain the quality of the milk.\nFrom its beginnings in farm-based production, Edam Holland has developed, by way of production in local factories, to become a nationally produced product with a worldwide reputation and is an important, stable component in optimising the value of farm milk. At the beginning of the 20th century, national laws were introduced for Edam cheese, and the name of Edam Holland was established in the Landbouwkwaliteitsbeschikking kaasproducten [Agricultural Quality (Cheese Products) Decision].",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2010/1121/annex/II/division/COUNCIL/division/4/division/4.6/division/1",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T14:50:27.910030+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}