EN Official Journal of the European Union C 250/41

Application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2017/C 250/09)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A MINOR AMENDMENT

Application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2), of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2)

‘WEST COUNTRY LAMB’

EU No: PGI-GB-02151 – 7.7.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X ) TSG ( )

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Name: Meat South West Address: The Baron Suite Creech Castle Taunton TA1 2DX UNITED KINGDOM Tel. +44 8706086610 Email: info@westcountrybeefandlamb.org.uk

2. Member State or Third Country

United Kingdom

3. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

— ☒ Description of product — ☐ Proof of origin — ☐ Method of production — ☐ Link — ☐ Labelling — ☐ Other [to be specified]

4. Type of amendment(s)

— ☐ Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires no amendment to the published single document — ☒ Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 that requires an amendment to the published single document — ☐ Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, for which a single document (or equivalent) has not been published. — ☐ Amendment to product specification of registered TSG to be qualified as minor in accordance with the fourth subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

5. Amendment(s)

Amendment 1:

Description

This amendment removes the weight band restrictions (9-15 kg) from those eligible carcasses classified as O grade.

Meat South West are seeking an expansion of the current classification selection by removing the weight restriction for those carcasses achieving O classification.

Meat South West considers this amendment to be minor because it does not:

1. relate to the essential characteristics of the product;

2. alter the link referred to in point (f)(i) or (ii) of Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012;

3. include a change to the name or any part of the name of the product;

4. affect the defined geographical area; or

5. represent an increase in restrictions on trade of the product

Reason for amendment

Meat South West are seeking an amendment to the current classification selection to remove the weight restriction on O grade lambs which currently stands at 9-15 kg. This weight restriction was originally put in place to supply the historic southern eastern markets of Spain and Italy with lighter lambs. However, this trade has since changed and the weight restriction is hampering the inclusion of stock which would otherwise be eligible. This is particularly applicable to organic lambs, considered a high end product, which are currently failing eligibility based solely on weight restrictions. The geographical area will not be altered and the essential characteristics of the product will not change as we will still apply the forage feed element to ensure the chemical constituents are not impacted. The proposed change does not undermine the quality of the product, seek to change the name or restrict trade.

Wording in current specification

‘Carcases classified as conformation R or better, with a fatness of 2 to 3H; – Carcases weighing less than 15 kg may have conformation O. Carcase size may vary, reflecting market preferences and the type of sheep. Increasing fatness => Improving conformation => 1 2 3L 3H 4L 4HL 5 E U R O 9-15kg 9-15kg 9-15kg P ’

Proposed Amendment

‘Carcases classified as conformation O or better, with a fatness of 2 to 3H; Carcase size may vary, reflecting market preferences and the type of sheep. Increasing fatness => Improving conformation => 1 2 3L 3H 4L 4HL 5 E U R O P ’

6. Updated product specification (only for PDO and PGI)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protected-food-name-west-country-lamb-pgi

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘WEST COUNTRY LAMB’

EU No: PGI-GB-02151 – 7.7.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Name(s)

‘West Country Lamb’

2. Member State or Third Country

United Kingdom

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

‘West Country Lamb’ is the name applied to carcases, sides or cuts of lamb derived from sheep born and raised in the West Country region of England and slaughtered in accordance with Meat South West (MSW) or equivalent standards.

The sheep must be no more than 12 months old at the time of slaughter. The meat from animals that are (i) born before 1 October in any year and (ii) slaughtered between 1 January and 30th April the following year must be subjected to maturation. This may comprise a minimum of five days refrigerated conditioning between slaughter and sale to the final consumer, or one of the maturation processes specified in the 1994 Meat & Livestock Commission (MLC) Lamb Blueprint (these include electrical stimulation and hip suspension). The finished weight must be between 9 kg and 26 kg dead weight.

The specific grass-based diet improves the chemical composition of lamb muscle (see Table below) and also improves organoleptic qualities of the meat when compared to concentrate fed sheep.

Table

Fatty acid composition (mg/100 g) and vitamin E content (mg/kg) of lamb loin muscle

Grass Concentrates 18:2 (3) 98 143 18:3 (4) 52 29 EPA (5) 23 15 DHA (6) 6,5 4,9 Vitamin E 4,6 1,9 18:2/18:3 1,9 5,0

This results in more richly flavoured meat, giving an excellent eating experience. The colour of the fat can be from white to cream, but the specific diet encourages a cream colour. The meat colour varies from pink to dark red, with the maturation resulting in the meat being darker red. The carcase classification specification (based on the EUROP system), to ensure optimum eating quality, is:

Carcases classified as conformation O or better, with a fatness of 2 to 3H; Carcase size may vary, reflecting market preferences and the type of sheep.

Increasing fatness => Improving conformation => 1 2 3L 3H 4L 4HL 5 E U R O P

After slaughter ‘West Country Lamb’ is marketed to the trade in a number of forms as follows:

— Whole carcase excluding inedible offal, hide, head and feet. The kidneys and associated fat may be left in situ.

— Whole side: half the carcase split lengthwise.

— Primal cuts: produced by dividing carcases/sides into smaller, recognised parts (to satisfy customer preferences). These cuts may be presented bone-in or boneless and in protective packaging.

— ‘West Country Lamb’ may be sold fresh (refrigerated) or frozen.

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

The lambs may be fed supplement at the weaning and finishing stage, in which case, the details of the ingredients and purchase are recorded by the farmer in the feed log and checked by the assurance inspectors to ensure a minimum forage intake of 70 %. The scheme requires an extensive system with a suitable period of grazing, typically two months, prior to slaughter.

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

The lambs must be born, reared and finished within the West Country region.

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

—

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area consists of the six counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, which together make up the West Country region of England.

5. Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area:

The West Country of England is described as a grassland peninsula. The distinction between grassland and arable farming has developed partly as the result of the different soil type. The West Country has a high proportion of gley and brown soils which support grass growth but are not ideally suited to arable farming. Arable growing areas have a higher proportion of clay and sandy soils, more easily drained. Further, the West Country of England has the highest average temperature and the highest minimum and maximum temperatures in the UK.

The West Country is the largest, most agricultural region in England. Its environment is one of the richest in the UK. Its farms produce an estimated 21 % of sheep in England and it is this, together with its 24 % share of beef production, which has helped shape and maintain the landscape and heritage of the region. The high density of livestock has encouraged the development of a large meat processing sector which creates much-needed employment opportunities in the region.

The West Country’s combination of warm and mild temperatures, well-distributed rainfall through the year, and deep moisture-retentive soils means the grass and forage crops can be made and grazed for almost all the year. Grass grows in much of the region for over 300 days of the year. This year-round production is the norm in the West Country and explains why livestock production predominates. In addition, over 25 % of West Country grassland is situated either in National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and the region has over 57 % of the UK’s flower rich meadows. Research undertaken by Bristol University shows that lamb flavour is deeper and more liked on grass than concentrate feeding.

Additionally, because of the unique mild climate and year-round grass growth, lambs are produced in the region throughout the year.

Specificity of the product:

There is a high reliance on fresh grass and conserved grass in the West Country. This produces a characteristic effect on meat quality and the nutritional value of lamb in terms of fatty acid composition, vitamin E content and sensory quality. Scientific experiments have clearly demonstrated these effects. They showed a difference in fatty acid composition between lambs produced on a grain-based (concentrate) diet and on a grass-based diet (Table). Those fed grass had a fatty acid profile which was quite different from those fed concentrated. Linoleic acid and its product (arachidonic acid), both n-6 (omega-6) fatty acids, were higher in muscle of the lambs fed concentrate; and linolenic acid and its products eicosapentaenoic EPA and docosahexaenoic DHA, all n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids, were higher in muscle of the lambs fed grass. The ratio of n-6 fatty acids to n-3 fatty acids was significantly higher in the animals fed concentrate. The recommended ratio for the human diet is 4 or below which was easily achieved in the grass-fed lamb but not in the concentrate – fed lamb. A simple ratio which distinguishes grass – fed from concentrate – fed lamb is 18:2/18:3, this being 1,9 and 5,0 in the Table for grass and concentrate – fed lamb respectively.

Grass, whether fresh or conserved, is a source of α-linolenic acid, which can be converted in the animal to long chain n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), valuable nutrients in the human diet. Grass also contains vitamin E and both n-3 fatty acids and vitamin E are at higher concentrations in grass-fed sheep. These nutrients also affect the taste of the meat.

Thus, grass and grass forage diets demonstrably produce a distinctive fatty acid profile in muscle that distinguishes them from concentrate diets. Values of around 1,5 % linolenic acid, 0,7 % EPA and > 0,2 % DHA are descriptive of grass-reared lamb. These are percentages of the fatty acids present, which is the way fatty acid composition is often described. This effect benefits ‘West Country Lamb’. Vitamin E found naturally in grass is incorporated into muscle and fat tissue in sheep. Those fed grass silage had at least double the concentration of vitamin E in muscle than those fed concentrate. This causes the meat to retain its bright red colour longer during retail display.

British studies conclude that the taste of lamb is better in grass-finished sheep than grain-fed ones. The score for lamb flavour is much higher with grass compared to concentrate. The score for abnormal flavour is much lower with grass feeding.

An independent report shows the special characteristics to be a low ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids and a high concentration of vitamin E.

18:2/18:3 ratio less than 4

Vitamin E > 3,0 mg/kg loin muscle

The Polled Dorset and Dorset Horn breeds of sheep are just two examples of regional breeds that have developed to take advantage of the nearly all year round grass growth of the region. These breeds are used by many farmers because of their natural, frequent breeding characteristics which mean they are able to lamb in the autumn. This enables producers to have lambs ready to market from late January onwards. Other lowland flocks lamb in January and February, whereas lambing on the farms located in the upland areas of Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor tends to take place in April and May, thus providing natural year-round production and supply of lambs.

The West Country of England, as a result of its climate, topography, geology and the consequent lushness of grass production, imparts particular qualities to sheep reared in the region, and thence to the meat from those animals. A high proportion of its farmed area is grass, which is ideally suited to sheep production and can also be used in supplementary feed.

There is a strong and objective scientific case that lamb produced and processed in the West Country of England has qualities that are inherently linked to that geographical area, because of the greater availability of and reliance on grass in the diet, leading to higher concentrations of n-3 PUFA and vitamin E in the meat.

Grass growth is affected by soil type, temperature, rainfall and sunshine. A further important factor is topography i.e. altitude, with grass growth declining as altitude increases. The more favourable climate in the West Country increases the number of grass-growing days in the West Country in comparison with other regions. Grass grows for more than 220 days of the year in all parts of the West Country which is not true of any other part of Britain, with parts achieving over 300 days of grass growth.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protected-food-name-west-country-lamb-pgi

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

(2) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

(3) linoleic

(4) linolenic

(5) eicosapentaenoic

(6) docosahexaenoic