# C_2022492EN.01000601.xml

| 27.12.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 492/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.12.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 492/6

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Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indications in the sector of the agricultural products and foodstuffs, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014

(2022/C 492/04)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 6b(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

Communicating the approval of a standard amendment to the product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication originating in a Member State (Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012)

‘Volailles du Maine’

EU No: PGI-FR-0148-AM01- 28.9.2022

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name of product

‘Volailles du Maine’

2.   Member State to which the geographical area belongs

France

3.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

| Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (INAO) |
| --- |
| Arborial – 12, rue Rol-Tanguy |
| TSA 30003 – 93555 Montreuil Cedex |
| Tel. +33 173303800 |
| Fax +33 173303804 |
| Email: info@inao.gouv.fr |

Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (INAO)

Arborial – 12, rue Rol-Tanguy

TSA 30003 – 93555 Montreuil Cedex

Tel. +33 173303800

Fax +33 173303804

Email: info@inao.gouv.fr

4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

The amendments to the product specification are described below and concern the following sections:

‘Description of product’ section

For products covered by the PGI, the amendment provides for the production of the following additional species:

| — | yellow chicken |
| --- | --- |

—

yellow chicken

| — | black chicken |
| --- | --- |

—

black chicken

| — | 100-day chicken |
| --- | --- |

—

100-day chicken

| — | guinea fowl |
| --- | --- |

—

guinea fowl

| — | capon and mini capon |
| --- | --- |

—

capon and mini capon

| — | poulard |
| --- | --- |

—

poulard

| — | duck |
| --- | --- |

—

duck

| — | goose |
| --- | --- |

—

goose

| — | hen. |
| --- | --- |

—

hen.

The applicant group produces these species, which have been produced in the geographical area for many years.

The section is supplemented by conformity criteria and an organoleptic description for each species or product.

The scope of the product specification has been extended to include offal. The offal concerned is the liver, gizzard and heart. Only this offal taken from carcasses of poultry selected for the PGI is allowed. A list of selection criteria and marketing methods has been added (preservation of integrity, uniform colour, marketing fresh or frozen).

‘Method of production’ section

As a result of the addition of many species to the product specification, the production method has been considerably supplemented. It is divided into two parts; the first concerns table poultry and the second, laying hens.

Subsections 5.1 and 5.5 ‘Strains used’

The requirement that 90 % of future Gallus breeding birds must be born and reared in the area has been deleted. The concentration of the hatcheries and their specialisation mean that breeders cannot obtain supplies only in the geographical area. A table summarising the phenotype for each species has also been added. In the case of table poultry, all the strains are slow-growing, adapted to a long rearing period and to free-range outdoor rearing. In the case of hens, the strains are hardy and adapted to free-range rearing.

Subsections 5.2 and 5.6 ‘Rearing method’

The words ‘free-range – total freedom’ are added to the ‘traditional free-range’ rearing method provided for in the current product specification. The arrangements for access to runs have been added: from 9.00 until nightfall for table poultry, and from 11.00 until nightfall for laying hens. A table summarising the maximum age for access to runs and the minimum rearing period for each species has also been added.

Subsections 5.3.1 and 5.7.1 ‘Buildings’

Additions have been made to this section. Firstly, single-batch rearing in fixed buildings is the rule for all table poultry and hens. Secondly, criteria specific to the fitting-out of buildings are given in more detail depending on the species.

For table poultry

The total usable surface area of poultry houses on each individual site is set down in order to limit the size of holdings (1 600 m2). The maximum surface area per building is also stipulated (480 m2), with an exception for turkeys and geese (500 m2). A table defines the width and height of popholes according to the breeding method: ‘traditional free-range’ (minimum 0,35 m) or ‘free-range – total freedom’ (minimum 0,40 m). There must be a pavement of at least one metre in width in front of the popholes. Perches must be installed for chickens and guinea fowl. These must be 10 metres long per 100 m2 of building and be made available to the birds at the latest when they are 4 weeks old.

To complete the section, there is a table showing the maximum density of animals per building:

| | Maximum number of animals/m2 in building |
| --- | --- |
| Chicken | 11 |
| Guinea fowl | 13 |
| Turkey | 6,25 (10 until 7 weeks) |
| Duck | 10 – females / 8 – males |
| Goose | 5 (10 until 6 weeks) |

Maximum number of animals/m2 in building

Chicken

11

Guinea fowl

13

Turkey

6,25 (10 until 7 weeks)

Duck

10 – females / 8 – males

Goose

5 (10 until 6 weeks)

For hens

The maximum age for reception of pullets is set (22 weeks). The number of hens per building is stipulated (maximum 6 000 hens). Criteria for the interior and exterior layout of the buildings are indicated. The buildings are fitted with windows to allow the passage of natural light, which is supplemented by artificial light to ensure up to 16 hours of brightness per day and with a night rest period of at least 8 hours. Exit popholes with a minimum combined length of 4 metres per 100 m2 of floor area facilitate the birds’ access to the runs. The density of hens in the building is 9 per m2.

Subsections 5.3.2 and 5.7.2 ‘Runs’

The description of the runs is not included in the product specification currently in force. In general, runs must be grassy, with trees, and must comprise permanent grass areas. Details of the planting of the areas are given (types of hedges, types and number of trees), the latter differing between table poultry and hens. A minimum run area per bird is given for each species, the latter being changed from the date of partial removal for poulards, capons and mini capons. A fallowing period which must be observed between each batch and the arrangements for maintaining the runs has been added.

Subsections 5.4 and 5.8 ‘Feed’

The section on feed has been completely revised and supplemented with a distinction between table poultry and hens.

For table poultry

The percentage of cereals decreases from 75 % by weight of the feed formula to 70 %.

This threshold is supplemented by a list of raw materials that may be contained in the feed distributed. A table shows the age of the birds at the beginning of the fattening period. Finally, the provision of pecking grit (small pieces of gravel distributed to poultry to encourage the grinding of feed in the gizzard) from 4 weeks of age has been added.

For hens

This part has been added. Minimum thresholds of 60 % cereals and cereal derivatives and 5 % minerals are added, together with a list of raw materials authorised for use in feed.

Subsection 5.9 ‘Condition for removal, transport and slaughter’

This subsection replaces the section entitled ‘Processing’. A feed withdrawal deadline of 5 hours has been added. Out of concern for animal welfare, a period between removal and slaughter has been set at a maximum of 12 hours, with a maximum journey time of 3 hours. A recovery period of 30 minutes at the slaughterhouse has also been added.

The subsection entitled ‘Processing’ has been deleted, since processing is carried out not only in the geographical area. The ante mortem slaughter conditions have been deleted. The chapter on the training of breeders and the chapter on banning the rearing of poultry types other than those introduced by the beneficiary group(s) are also deleted.

‘Link’ section

The section entitled ‘Link with the geographical area’ of the current product specification has been substantially revised. It has been reorganised into three parts to distinguish the specific characteristics of the geographical area, the product and the causal link. The wording is more succinct and many illustrations and historical references have been deleted.

‘Geographical area’ section

The change to the area is due mainly to administrative changes as a result of mergers or omissions of municipalities in the definition of the area in the current product specification.

The product specification states that rearing must take place in the geographical area and that it must begin:

| — | in the case of table poultry, not later than 3 days after the arrival of the chicks at the breeder’s; |
| --- | --- |

—

in the case of table poultry, not later than 3 days after the arrival of the chicks at the breeder’s;

| — | in the case of hens, no later than 22 weeks after the arrival of the pullets at the laying house. |
| --- | --- |

—

in the case of hens, no later than 22 weeks after the arrival of the pullets at the laying house.

‘Evidence that the product originates from the defined geographical area’ section

The following parts are added:

| — | the ‘operators operating in the geographical area’ category; |
| --- | --- |

—

the ‘operators operating in the geographical area’ category;

| — | the identification declaration to authorise operators before the start of the activity concerned; |
| --- | --- |

—

the identification declaration to authorise operators before the start of the activity concerned;

| — | a bottom-up and top-down traceability table. |
| --- | --- |

—

a bottom-up and top-down traceability table.

‘Labelling’ section

The current paragraph is deleted and replaced by a sentence describing the mandatory regulatory elements.

Editorial amendments have also been made in the following sections:

In the ‘Competent authority of the Member State’ section, the contact details for the National Institute of Origin and Quality (Institut national de la qualité et de l’origine – INAO) have been added as a competent authority of the Member State, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

The ‘Applicant group’ section gives the contact details and legal form of SYVOL QUALIMAINE.

The ‘Inspection body’ section now includes the contact details of the competent inspection authorities at national level: the INAO and the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes – DGCCRF). The name and contact details of the certification body can be found on the INAO website and in the European Commission’s database.

The ‘National requirements’ section is in the form of a table of the main points to be checked and their means of evaluation.

The single document for the PGI ‘Volailles du Maine’ currently consists of the application for registration of this product submitted under Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

All sections of this document have been substantially revised so that it corresponds to Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 668/2014 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs.

The standard amendments approved therefore result in amendments to all sections of the single document.

The amendments described and substantiated do not include a change in the name of the protected geographical indication or a change in the use of that name. They are not likely to destroy the link referred to in Article 5(2)(b), nor do they lead to new restrictions on the marketing of the product. These amendments therefore meet the definition of a standard amendment.

This protected geographical indication, registered under Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 of 12 June 1996, was not in the form of a single document but comprised one sheet summarising the main information, including the competent authorities of the Member State, the applicant group, the name of the product, the type of product and a description of the product specification. This document is therefore replaced by the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Volailles du Maine’

EU No: PGI-FR-0148-AM01- 28.9.2022

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s)

‘Volailles du Maine’

2.   Member State or third country

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Volailles du Maine’ are presented in the form of raw meat, fresh or frozen:

| — | carcasses (with or without offal) |
| --- | --- |

—

carcasses (with or without offal)

| — | cuts |
| --- | --- |

—

cuts

| — | parts of cuts |
| --- | --- |

—

parts of cuts

| — | offal. |
| --- | --- |

—

offal.

They belong to the following families and types:

| — | Gallus: chicken, poulard, capon, mini capon, hen; |
| --- | --- |

—

Gallus: chicken, poulard, capon, mini capon, hen;

| — | Numida meleagris: guinea fowl, guinea fowl capon; |
| --- | --- |

—

Numida meleagris: guinea fowl, guinea fowl capon;

| — | Meleagris gallopavo: turkey; |
| --- | --- |

—

Meleagris gallopavo: turkey;

| — | Cairina moschata: duck; |
| --- | --- |

—

Cairina moschata: duck;

| — | Anser anser: goose. |
| --- | --- |

—

Anser anser: goose.

‘Volailles du Maine’ meat is poultry meat with a flexible (non-ossified) sternum tip suitable for roasting or pan-frying in the case of table poultry and poultry meat with a rigid (ossified) sternum tip suitable for braising, preserving or boiling in the case of hens.

Features of ‘Volailles du Maine’:

| — | They have good conformation. |
| --- | --- |

—

They have good conformation.

| — | They have resistant bones. |
| --- | --- |

—

They have resistant bones.

| — | The flesh is plump, the breasts are well developed, broad, long and fleshy, and the legs are fleshy, except in the case of hens. |
| --- | --- |

—

The flesh is plump, the breasts are well developed, broad, long and fleshy, and the legs are fleshy, except in the case of hens.

| — | Degree of fat cover:






  Poultry type | Degree of fat cover |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chicken, roasting turkey, turkey (cut into pieces) | Thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs |
| Guinea fowl | Very thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs |
| Capon, mini capon, poulard, guinea fowl capon | Thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs |
| Goose | Medium to thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs |
| Duck | Medium layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs |
| Hen | Medium layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs |

—

Degree of fat cover:

Poultry type

Degree of fat cover

Chicken, roasting turkey, turkey (cut into pieces)

Thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs

Guinea fowl

Very thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs

Capon, mini capon, poulard, guinea fowl capon

Thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs

Goose

Medium to thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs

Duck

Medium layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs

Hen

Medium layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs

‘Volailles du Maine’ meet the following quality criteria:

| — | carcasses: class A and minimum weight: | Minimum eviscerated weight without offal (g) | Minimum dressed weight (g) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Chicken | 950 – 81 /84  days
  1 150 – 100  days | 1 300 – 81 /84  days
  1 500 – 100  days |
| Hen | 900 | – |
| Capon | 2 400 | 2 900 |
| Mini capon | 1 600 | 2 000 |
| Poulard | 1 550 | 1 900 |
| Guinea fowl | 800 | 1 100 |
| Guinea fowl capon | 1 300 | 1 800 |
| Roasting turkey | 2 300 – females
  3 100 – males | 2 700 – females
  3 600 – males |
| Turkey (cut into pieces) | 2 800 – females
  4 100 – males | – |
| Duck | 1 250 – females
  2 300 – males | 2 900 – females
  1 600 – males |
| Goose | 2 700 | 3 100 |

—

carcasses: class A and minimum weight:

Minimum eviscerated weight without offal (g)

Minimum dressed weight (g)

Chicken

950 – 81 /84  days

1 150 – 100  days

1 300 – 81 /84  days

1 500 – 100  days

Hen

900

–

Capon

2 400

2 900

Mini capon

1 600

2 000

Poulard

1 550

1 900

Guinea fowl

800

1 100

Guinea fowl capon

1 300

1 800

Roasting turkey

2 300 – females

3 100 – males

2 700 – females

3 600 – males

Turkey (cut into pieces)

2 800 – females

4 100 – males

–

Duck

1 250 – females

2 300 – males

2 900 – females

1 600 – males

Goose

2 700

3 100

| — | cuts and pieces of cuts: class A and taken from carcasses complying with the minimum weight; |
| --- | --- |

—

cuts and pieces of cuts: class A and taken from carcasses complying with the minimum weight;

| — | offal (liver, gizzard, heart): integrity preserved, uniform colour. |
| --- | --- |

—

offal (liver, gizzard, heart): integrity preserved, uniform colour.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

The feed provided must contain at least 70 % cereals and derived products at the fattening stage of table poultry, calculated as a weighted average.

In the case of hens, the feed must contain at least 60 % cereals and derived products and 5 % minerals.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

The following operations must take place in the geographical area: rearing of poultry.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

—

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The labelling includes the name ‘Volailles du Maine’ and the European Union PGI symbol in the same field of vision.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of ‘Volailles du Maine’ is defined according to climatic and historical criteria. The area comprises the departments of Sarthe and Mayenne and the adjacent areas drained by the basin of the River Maine and all its tributaries: the Loir, Sarthe and Mayenne, and the watercourses that join them.

| — | The departments of Sarthe (72) and Mayenne (53) in their entirety |
| --- | --- |

—

The departments of Sarthe (72) and Mayenne (53) in their entirety

| — | Eure-et-Loir (28):






  — | Cantons: Nogent-le-Rotrou. |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Eure-et-Loir (28):

—

Cantons: Nogent-le-Rotrou.

| — | Municipalities: Authon-du-Perche, Beaumont-les-Autels, Béthonvilliers, Chapelle-Guillaume, Chapelle-Royale, Charbonnières Coudray-au-Perche, Frazé, Friaize, La Bazoche-Gouet, Le Thieulin, Les Autels-Villevillon, Les Étilleux, Luigny Miermaigne, Montigny-le-Chartif, Moulhard, Saint-Bomer. |
| --- | --- |

—

Municipalities: Authon-du-Perche, Beaumont-les-Autels, Béthonvilliers, Chapelle-Guillaume, Chapelle-Royale, Charbonnières Coudray-au-Perche, Frazé, Friaize, La Bazoche-Gouet, Le Thieulin, Les Autels-Villevillon, Les Étilleux, Luigny Miermaigne, Montigny-le-Chartif, Moulhard, Saint-Bomer.

| — | Indre-et-Loire (37):






  — | Cantons: Château-Renault, Langeais, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, Vouvray |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Indre-et-Loire (37):

—

Cantons: Château-Renault, Langeais, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, Vouvray

| — | Municipalities: Neuillé-le-Lierre, Noizay, Tours (only in the part north of the Loire) |
| --- | --- |

—

Municipalities: Neuillé-le-Lierre, Noizay, Tours (only in the part north of the Loire)

| — | Loir-et-Cher (41):






  — | Cantons: Montoire-sur-le-Loir, Perche, Vendôme |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Loir-et-Cher (41):

—

Cantons: Montoire-sur-le-Loir, Perche, Vendôme

| — | Municipalities: Épiais, Oucques La Nouvelle, Rhodon |
| --- | --- |

—

Municipalities: Épiais, Oucques La Nouvelle, Rhodon

| — | Maine-et-Loire (49):






  — | Cantons: Angers, Angers 2, Angers 3, Angers 4, Angers 5, Angers 6, Angers 7, Beaufort-en-Anjou, Longué-Jumelles, Segré-en-Anjou Bleu, Tiercé |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Maine-et-Loire (49):

—

Cantons: Angers, Angers 2, Angers 3, Angers 4, Angers 5, Angers 6, Angers 7, Beaufort-en-Anjou, Longué-Jumelles, Segré-en-Anjou Bleu, Tiercé

| — | Municipalities: Bécon-les-Granits, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Erdre-en-Anjou (area of the former municipality of La Pouëze), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire, La Possonnière, Les Ponts-de-Cé (only in the part north of the Loire), Saint-Augustin-des-Bois, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur (only in the part north of the Loire), Val d’Erdre Auxence |
| --- | --- |

—

Municipalities: Bécon-les-Granits, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Erdre-en-Anjou (area of the former municipality of La Pouëze), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire, La Possonnière, Les Ponts-de-Cé (only in the part north of the Loire), Saint-Augustin-des-Bois, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur (only in the part north of the Loire), Val d’Erdre Auxence

| — | Orne (61):






  — | Cantons: Alençon, Alençon 1, Alençon 2, Bagnoles de l’Orne Normandie, Bretoncelles, Ceton, Damigny, Écouves, L’Aigle, Mortagne-au-Perche, Tourouvre au Perche |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Orne (61):

—

Cantons: Alençon, Alençon 1, Alençon 2, Bagnoles de l’Orne Normandie, Bretoncelles, Ceton, Damigny, Écouves, L’Aigle, Mortagne-au-Perche, Tourouvre au Perche

| — | Municipalities: Aube, Aunou-sur-Orne, Avrilly, Bagnoles de l’Orne Normandie (area of the former municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Andaines), Beaufai, Beauvain, Belfonds, Boitron, Chahains, Chailloué, Champsecret Domfront en Poiraie, Écorcei, Fay, Godisson, Joué-du-Bois, L’Orée-d’Écouves, La Chapelle-près-Sées, La Chaux, La Ferrière-Béchet, La Ferté Macé, La Lande-de-Goult, La Motte-Fouquet, Le Bouillon, Le Cercueil, Le Champ-de-la-Pierre, Le Ménil-Scelleur, Les Monts d’Andaine, Lonlay-l’Abbaye, Lonlay-le-Tesson, Macé Magny-le-Désert, Mahéru, Méhoudin, Mortrée, Neauphe-sous-Essai, Rai, Rouperroux, Saint-Bômer-les-Forges, Saint-Brice, Saint-Clair-de-Halouze, Saint-Ellier-les-Bois, Saint-Gervais-du-Perron, Saint-Gilles-des-Marais, Saint-Martin-des-Landes, Saint-Martin-l’Aiguillon, Saint-Ouen-le-Brisoult, Saint-Patrice-du-Désert, Saint-Pierre-des-Loges, Saint-Sauveur-de-Carrouges, Saint-Symphorien-des-Bruyères, Sainte-Marguerite-de-Carrouges, Sainte-Marie-la-Robert, Sées, Tanville. |
| --- | --- |

—

Municipalities: Aube, Aunou-sur-Orne, Avrilly, Bagnoles de l’Orne Normandie (area of the former municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Andaines), Beaufai, Beauvain, Belfonds, Boitron, Chahains, Chailloué, Champsecret Domfront en Poiraie, Écorcei, Fay, Godisson, Joué-du-Bois, L’Orée-d’Écouves, La Chapelle-près-Sées, La Chaux, La Ferrière-Béchet, La Ferté Macé, La Lande-de-Goult, La Motte-Fouquet, Le Bouillon, Le Cercueil, Le Champ-de-la-Pierre, Le Ménil-Scelleur, Les Monts d’Andaine, Lonlay-l’Abbaye, Lonlay-le-Tesson, Macé Magny-le-Désert, Mahéru, Méhoudin, Mortrée, Neauphe-sous-Essai, Rai, Rouperroux, Saint-Bômer-les-Forges, Saint-Brice, Saint-Clair-de-Halouze, Saint-Ellier-les-Bois, Saint-Gervais-du-Perron, Saint-Gilles-des-Marais, Saint-Martin-des-Landes, Saint-Martin-l’Aiguillon, Saint-Ouen-le-Brisoult, Saint-Patrice-du-Désert, Saint-Pierre-des-Loges, Saint-Sauveur-de-Carrouges, Saint-Symphorien-des-Bruyères, Sainte-Marguerite-de-Carrouges, Sainte-Marie-la-Robert, Sées, Tanville.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The link to the origin of the ‘Volailles du Maine’ PGI is based on natural and human factors in the Maine region which result in the production of poultry with specific characteristics (hens, chickens, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, poulards, capons and geese). These characteristics have enabled the production to establish and develop a reputation over time.

The geographical area comprises the departments of Sarthe, Mayenne and some neighbouring areas. It corresponds more or less to the historical province of Maine.

The geographical area of the ‘Volailles du Maine’ PGI is a region of contact and transition between different geological formations. The western part, corresponding to the eastern edge of the Armorican Massif, is characterised by acidic soils developed on Precambrian shale and is slightly hilly. The northern part, on a gentle slope, has deeper soils with good water storage. This part corresponds to the overlap of the Armorican Massif with the secondary formations of the Paris Basin and is an intermediate area with sandy and limestone soils. In the south there is an alluvial area originating in a dense natural hydrographic network around the tributaries of the Maine. The altitude is generally between 25 metres and 100 metres. At 416 metres, the Mont des Avaloirs is the highest point of the area.

The area as a whole therefore has two main types of soil: acid-prone soils which are well suited to the farming of natural grasslands, and calcareous soils suitable for cereal cultivation.

The geographical area is characterised by a climate which is temperate and somewhat oceanic, with relatively homogeneous rainfall (650 mm/m2 to 800 mm/m2) and limited seasonal variations. The average monthly temperature is uniform and varies between 4 °C and 18 °C. The temperature variation between seasons and between day and night is relatively low.

This climate, which is characterised by general mildness and few extreme events (with no sudden variation in temperature, rainfall or sunshine), is suitable for poultry to spend a lot of time in the open air.

The geographical area has a large natural hydrological network consisting of three major rivers: the Mayenne, the Sarthe and its main tributary, the Loir. These guarantee water supply in the area, with no risk of shortages. The rivers join to form the Maine north of Angers. The Maine flows into the Loire, marking the southern boundary of the area.

The geographical area of ‘Volailles du Maine’ has traditionally been a polyculture-livestock region of which poultry are an integral feature. The breeding traditions of this region are still maintained and are characterised, in particular, by traditional know-how which places the use of runs at the centre of poultry rearing. During the fattening period, producers make wide grassy runs with trees available for the birds to access from 9.00 until nightfall. The birds are fed mainly on cereals. There is also a finishing phase for festive poultry and chickens over 100 days old.

As early as 1960, breeders in the Maine Basin were among the pioneers of poultry quality. They drew up product specifications, which were checked by an independent body, for the different poultry species in order to meet the needs of urban consumers in search of quality free-range poultry and added two products a few decades later: guinea fowl capons and mini capons. Even then, the product specification for ‘Volailles du Maine’ included an obligation to allow birds out into the open.

Moreover, the small size of the farms and the limited number of birds allow farmers to maintain a link between humans and animals. Like their predecessors, today’s breeders have the technical knowledge necessary for proper management of the farms. This experience, acquired over the years, has made it possible to maintain the production of quality poultry in the long term while at the same time providing for its development and progress in order to take account of certain societal expectations such as animal welfare.

‘Volailles du Maine’ thus benefit from a set of natural conditions enabling them to use and explore open-air runs to the full.

The slightly hilly terrain and the generally slow-drying and acidic soils lend themselves to runs which are easy to explore, allowing the birds to find additional food such as grass, but also earthworms or insects present in the runs.

Water, which comes from rainfall but also from the hydrographic network, is present in sufficient quantities throughout the year and allows for regular crop and cereal production, which is the historical, immutable basis of the feed given to ‘Volailles du Maine’. Moreover, this regular water resource has facilitated and continues to facilitate the establishment of perennial plants such as trees and hedgerows, the latter providing encouragement to the birds to explore their runs. They also provide shelter for the runs and protection against possible predators.

The temperate, slightly oceanic climate promotes the growth of grass throughout the year and allows the birds to be let out, whatever the season, from 9.00 to dusk.

All species of ‘Volailles du Maine’ have good conformation, resistant bones, plump flesh, well-developed, broad, long and fleshy breasts and fleshy legs (with the exception of hens for the latter criterion).

Their degree of fat cover also makes it possible to produce:

| — | chickens and turkeys with a thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs; |
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chickens and turkeys with a thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs;

| — | guinea fowl with a very thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs; |
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guinea fowl with a very thin layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs;

| — | capons, mini capons, poulards and guinea fowl capons with a thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs; |
| --- | --- |

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capons, mini capons, poulards and guinea fowl capons with a thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs;

| — | geese with a medium to thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs; |
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geese with a medium to thick layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs;

| — | ducks and hens with a medium layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs. |
| --- | --- |

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ducks and hens with a medium layer of fat on the breast, back and thighs.

‘Volailles du Maine’ chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, capons, mini capons, poulards, guinea fowl capons, geese and ducks are characterised by carcasses with flexible (non-ossified) sternum tips, while the carcasses of ‘Volailles du Maine’ hens have rigid (ossified) sternum tips.

The know-how of the Maine breeders is based on:

| — | the use of slow-growing strains which enable long rearing; |
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the use of slow-growing strains which enable long rearing;

| — | optimised management of runs with birds which are encouraged to go outside by the climatic conditions and a favourable external environment; |
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optimised management of runs with birds which are encouraged to go outside by the climatic conditions and a favourable external environment;

| — | the use of cereal-based feed. |
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the use of cereal-based feed.

It is on these old farming methods, which are still in use, that the reputation of ‘Volailles du Maine’ is based.

Many writers (Racine, Scarron) and gastronomes (Grimaud de la Reynière, Brillat-Savarin) have praised the quality of ‘Volailles du Maine’. In 1668, Racine, a famous French writer, wrote in Les Plaideurs: ‘That he ate a good Maine capon there’, but the quality of the hens, grain chickens, turkeys, geese, etc. was not to be outdone. Louis XIV, Colbert and Madame de Sévigné noted their enjoyment of the products.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the reputation of ‘Volailles du Maine’ was equal to that of ‘Volailles de Bresse’, as evidenced by historical references.

Between the 1950s and 1980s, there were many live markets in the Maine region, the largest being those of Le Mans, La Flèche, Loué and Château-Gontier. These markets, which were very highly regarded, attracted buyers from all over France but also from neighbouring countries such as Belgium.

The production of poultry on runs in the Maine region still accounts for 20 % of the region’s agricultural production value and around 20 % of the production of French poultry with quality and origin labels, making it one of the largest production areas in the country.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-78268bb4-b7f5-43e3-878e-b93def80193d

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

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