From the collaboration between casearia di Sant'Anna with University of Parma and the Reggio Emilia Animal Production Research Centre is born a project called Oltrebio –ethical chain of organic Parmigiano Reggiano.The aim is to obtain a production chain that goes over the Organic regulation remaining sustainable on the environmental side and ensuring high standard of animal welfare, from land to the dairy.Now we are creating new management requirements for the supply chain according to the principles of respect, responsibility and sustainability.CIPACK- Packaging department of Parma University- deals with the study of the environmental impact in the land, livestock and dairy. It also measures gas emissions and water consumption.CRPA – Animal Producrion Research Centre – estimates animal health and welfare with the philosophy that good milk requires happy cows. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY In the whole chain, moreover, there are two biogas plants of 6000 Kw/day each, integrated in the farms, i.e. sized on the need to manage the wastewater of the farms, and photovoltaic systems covering the roofs for more than 500 KW. The heat of the biogas plants is recovered to heat the water for the animals in winter and some areas of the stables. Finally, digestate is used as a natural fertilizer for organic crops, because thanks to its chemical and microbiological characteristics, it has a high fertilizing power, verified by systematic analysis, in place of synthetic fertilizers, as required by organic protocols. In fields that produce alfalfa, barley, wheat, irrigation is not used. In order to further reduce water consumption, investments have been made inside the dairy for a new serum concentration system that allows to quadruple the percentage of dry matter and the remainder to obtain what is called "permeate", which, when filtered, is used to wash some areas of the dairy. In this way, the impact of dry matter transport has been reduced by three quarters. Leading Carbon Footprint and Water Footprint from the livestock to the dairy through Life Cycle Assessment. Research and development of green packaging that permits to reduce or remove plastic use, of couse,without be done to the detriment of food safetybilan Low water consumption due to the choice of not irrigate lands, a reuse system of production permeate and also a recycle system of rainwater. Positive energy balance: energy produced from renewable sources is more than that consumed. ANIMAL WELFARE For Bio Sant'Anna, the quality of the production chain must be compared with the high level of Parmigiano Reggiano Pdo. The animal health is not enough but cows have to live in the best condition, without any kind of stress. OLTREBIO certifies animal welfare standards higher then what is provided by law. The aim is to satisfy the specific behavioral needs of all the cows and prevent disease. All the staff takes care of health of animal and they have the competence and technical skills needed thanks to a regular participation at training courses for professional development. The husbandry practices and housing conditions guarantee the satisfaction of physiological, ethological and development animal needs. All the cows have access to a spacious, clean dry and comfortable lying area. This area must be littered with straw or other suitable material to meet their behavioural needs. The animal density guarantees maximum well being in the livestock. They favor to a sufficient space to freely stand up, lie down, turn around, clean themselves or to take all the natural position they want. It's provided an available area that considerably exceeds the legal requirements. All the cows are free to move into the different area. They can choose to stay inside or outside, in the microclimate they prefer. In the whole chain is forbidden tether or held animals except for reason of security, animal welfare or veterinary requirements to keep them temporarily under supervision. All the cows have the possibility of accessing a grassed and properly sized outdoor area. They can keep in exercise as musch as possible when weather and soil conditions permit. In the stables is maintain suitable climate condition and thus good air quality thanks to large opening on both sides of the barn to let the wind blow and to big fans which allow correct air diffusion keeping litter dry. In the stables is maintain an optimal level of illumination. This allows to increase operators safety and reproductive cow performance. In the stables there is a floor clean system that allow animals to walk on an anti-slip and non-abrasive surface Each cow is able to access drinking water and food at any time. This is to avoid conflict for the resources between animals. Calves can get colostrum, fundamental food for the immune coverage of the animal Calves are kept in group after their first life week. Group are homogenous to satisfy their feeding needs well. All the animals are kept under control. There a direct system of manage and control in the livestoock. It's important valuate lameness,mastitis, body conditon,comfort rate and the human-animal relationship.