----

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2005/C 323/06)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article 12(3) within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

‘AGNEAU DE SISTERON’

EC No: FR/00316/15.10.2003

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary has been produced for information only. For full details, the producers of the products covered by the PGI in question in particular are invited to consult the full version of the product specification at national level or at the European Commission (1).

1.   Responsible department in the Member State:

2.   Group:

2.1.   Name: Association CESAR (Cabinet d'Études pour les Structures Agroalimentaires Régionales)

2.2.   Address: 

2.3.   Composition: producers/processors ( X ) other ( )

3.   Type of product:

Group 1.1: Fresh meat (and offal)

4.   Specification:

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

4.1.   Name: ‘Agneau de Sisteron’

4.2.   Description: ‘Agneau de Sisteron’ is a light young lamb (between 70 and 150 days old) with light-coloured, fine, smooth and mild-tasting flesh.

Fresh meat, sold as carcases, cuts, fresh half-carcases, cuts ready for dressing, pieces for sale to the consumer.

The lambs are raised on sheep farms and remain with their mothers for at least 60 days. If weather conditions permit, they may accompany their mothers to pasture.

4.3.   Geographical area: The lambs are born and raised on the same sheep farm having its headquarters in the defined PGI ‘Agneau de Sisteron’ area. They are slaughtered in an EC-approved slaughterhouse located in that area.

The whole of the Department of Hautes-Alpes.

The whole of the Department of Alpes de Haute-Provence.

The Department of Alpes Maritimes, except the cantons of Antibes-Biot, Saint Laurent du Var, Villefranche sur Mer, Vallauris, Mandelieu, Le Cannet, Nice, Vence, Cagnes sur Mer, Carros, Mougins, Menton, Grasse, Antibes, Cannes.

The Department of Var, except the cantons of Fréjus, Grimaud, Ollioules, Saint-tropez, Soliès Port, La Crau, Saint Mandrier sur Mer, Saint Raphaël, Six Four les plages, La Valette du Var, La Garde, La Seyne sur Mer, Toulon.

The Department of Bouches du Rhône, except the cantons of Aix en Provence nord-est, Aix en Provence sud-ouest, Aubagne, La Ciotat, Gardanne, Port Saint Louis du Rhône, Roquevaire, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Allauch, Marignane, Châteauneuf Côte Bleue, Martigues ouest, Les Pennes Mirabeau, Vitrolles, Martigues, Marseille.

The Department of Vaucluse, except the cantons of Bollène, Orange ouest, Avignon nord.

The Department of Drôme, except the cantons of Bourg de Péage, Chabeuil, La Chapelle en Vercors, Le Grand-Serre, Loriol sur Drôme, Montélimar, Pierrelatte, Romans sur Isère, St Donnat sur l'Herbass, St Jean en Royans, Saint Vallier, Tain l'Hermitage, Bourg les Valence, Portes les Valence, Valence.

This area is that in which the three local sheep breeds are found and has homogeneous extensive livestock-farming systems exploiting the local pastureland. The soil and weather conditions are characterised by an Emberger drought index of IS< 7. This is the area in which the wholesale butchers of Sisteron historically obtained their supplies and which is the basis for the reputation enjoyed by ‘Agneau de Sisteron’.

4.4.   Proof of origin: The lambs are identified with an official mark in accordance with the applicable rules.

The traceability of the sheep farm at the point of sale is therefore ensured and checked by an independent body. This means that at each stage of production the meat can be traced back to the lamb and the holding on which it was born.

4.5.   Method of production: Breeding flocks consist of rams and ewes of local hardy breeds: Mérinos d'Arles, Préalpes du Sud, Mourérous, or crosses of these breeds. Rams of the breeds Ile de France, Charolais, Suffolk or Berrichon only may be used for the production of meat.

The method of managing the breeding flock is specific to the region. It entails extensive rearing systems with livestock limited to 1.4 LU per ha of total feed-crop area. In addition, these systems require pasture land (summer mountain pasture, grazing). Pasture land consists of semi-natural areas that may only be used for the grazing of flocks.

Minimum lying area: 1,5 m2 for ewes at the end of gestation and during lactation; 0,5 m2 for lambs of more than two months.

Length of trough/feeding rack:

for ewes: 1 m linear for 3 ewes if the feed is distributed in limited quantities or 1 m linear for 30 ewes where feed distribution is self-service.

for weaned lambs: 1 m linear for 4 lambs where the feed is distributed in limited quantities and 1 m linear for 12 lambs where feed distribution is self-service.

The administering of antibiotics as a preventive measure is banned.

The ewes are grazed from at least spring to autumn, and possibly also receive fodder and a recognised feed supplement.

The lambs are fed on their mothers' milk only for at least 60 days, and receive grass and/or fodder, together with a cereal feed supplement. After natural weaning, they receive fodder and/or are grazed, and are given an approved feed supplement. During their lives at least 45 % of the feed they receive originates in the PGI area (milk, 100 % of the grass and fodder other than in exceptional weather conditions).

Silage may not be given to the lambs.

After transportation, slaughter and airing, carcases are selected by a qualified person.

4.6.   Link: 

4.7.   Inspection body: 

4.8.   Labelling: Indication Géographique Protégée

‘Agneau de Sisteron’

4.9   National requirements: —

----

(1)  European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture, Agricultural product quality policy, B-1049 Brussels.

----