EN Official Journal of the European Union C 33/8

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2017/C 33/07)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘CHAROLAIS DE BOURGOGNE’

EU No: PGI-FR-02099 — 8.12.2015

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Title

‘Charolais de Bourgogne’

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 the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ is beef that is obtained from animals of the Charolais breed type (born to mothers and fathers of the Charolais breed type) and that has the following characteristics:

CATEGORY and minimum and maximum age Minimum weight of the carcass Conformation Fat cover Bovine aged 14 to 24 months 320 kg E, U, R 2-3-4 Heifer aged not less than 24 months 280 kg E, U, R 2-3-4 Cow aged not more than 10 years 330 kg U, R 2-3-4

‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ meat is pure red in colour, finely marbled, lean, lightly veined, tender and juicy.

It is presented fresh or frozen. The meat may not be marketed in chilled form once it has been thawed.

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

The animals are reared in accordance with traditional cycles of alternating between pasture (at least 6 months a year) and the cowshed during the entire rearing period, i.e. one cycle for bovines aged 14 to 24 months and at least two cycles for the females.

The holding's area under grass must account for at least 70 % of the principal forage area.

The feed of all the animals is based on grass and coarse fodder. The coarse forage, excluding straw, must come exclusively from the geographical area. This enables the traditional use of the significant presence in the geographical area of natural grasslands, which are characterised by their diversity and the quality of their flora.

The share of complete or complementary concentrated feed is limited to an average of 2 kilograms of raw material per day and per animal over the year, except during the finishing phase.

Urea is prohibited throughout the rearing period.

The finishing phase is carried out on pasture or by providing the feed in troughs.

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

The farrowing, rearing and fattening must take place in the geographical area.

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 of ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ includes, in particular:

— the name of the protected geographical indication;

— the national identification number of the animal or the batch number;

— the category of the animal from which the meat comes;

— the date of slaughter;

— where applicable: the words ‘a minimum maturation time of 7 days for pieces to be grilled or roasted, except for the thin skirt, the thick skirt and the fillet’ or ‘a minimum maturation time of 7 days for vacuum-packed meat’.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of the ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ PGI covers the following municipalities:

In the department of Ain:

Arbigny, Asnières-sur-Saône, Bagé-le-Châtel, Beaupont, Beny, Bey, Boz, Chavannes-sur-Reyssouze, Chevroux, Coligny, Cormoranche-sur-Saône, Cormoz, Courtes, Crottet, Curciat-Dongalon, Domsure, Feillens, Garnerans, Genouilleux, Gorrevod, Grièges, Guereins, Lescheroux, Mantenay-Montlin, Manziat, Marboz, Mogneneins, Montmerle-sur-Saône, Ozan, Peyzieux-sur-Saône, Pirajoux, Pont-de-Vaux, Pont-de-Veyle, Replonges, Reyssouze, Saint-André-de-Bagé, Saint-Bénigne, Saint-Didier-sur-Chalaronne, Saint-Etienne-sur-Reyssouze, Saint-Jean-sur-Reyssouze, Saint-Julien-sur-Reyssouze, Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône, Saint-Nizier-le-Bouchoux, Saint-Trivier-de-Courtes, Salavre, Sermoyer, Servignat, Thoissey, Valeins, Verjon, Vernoux, Vescours, Vesines and Villemotier.

In the department of Cher:

Apremont-sur-Allier, Argenvières, Bannay, Beffes, Belleville-sur-Loire, Boulleret, Bué, La Chapelle-Hugon, La Chapelle-Montlinard, Charentonnay, Le Chautay, Couargues, Cours-les-Barres, Couy, Crézancy-en-Sancerre, Cuffy, Feux, Gardefort, Garigny, Germigny-l'Exempt, Groises, La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois, Herry, Jalognes, Jouet-sur-l'Aubois, Jussy-le-Chaudrier, Lère, Lugny-Champagne, Marseilles-les-Aubigny, Ménetou-Ratel, Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre, Précy, Saint-Bouize, Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerrois, Saint-Léger-le-Petit, Saint-Martin-des-Champs, Saint-Satur, Sancergues, Sancerre, Savigny-en-Sancerre, Sens-Beaujeu, Sevry, Sury-près-Lère, Sury-en-Vaux, Thauvenay, Torteron, Veaugues, Verdigny and Vinon.

In the department of Côte-d'Or:

The cantons of Arnay-le-Duc, Beaune, Ladoix-Serrigny and Semur-en-Auxois.

The municipalities of:

Agencourt, Agey, Alise-Sainte-Reine, Ancey, Argilly, Athié, Aubigny-en-Plaine, Aubigny-les-Sombernon, Auvillars-sur-Saône, Bagnot, Barbirey-sur-Ouche, Baulme-la-Roche, Benoisey, Bessey-les-Cîteaux, Blaisy-Bas, Blaisy-Haut, Bligny-le-sec, Bonnencontre, Boux-sous-Salmaise, Brazey-en-Plaine, Broin, Buffon, Bure-les-Templiers, Bussy-la-Pesle, Bussy-le-Grand, Chamblanc, Champagny, Champ-d'Oiseau, Chanceaux, Charencey, Charrey-sur-Saône, Chaugey, Chaume-les-Baigneux, Chivres, Comblanchien, Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux, Corgoloin, Corpoyer-la-Chapelle, Courcelles-les-Montbard, Crépand, Darcey, Detain-et-Bruant, Drée, Echalot, Echannay, Epernay-sous-Gevrey, Eringes, Esbarres, Etormay, Fain-les-Montbard, Fain-les-Moutiers, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Fresnes, Frôlois, Fussey, Gerland, Gissey-sous-Flavigny, Glanon, Grenant-lès-Sombernon, Grésigny-Sainte-Reine, Grignon, Grosbois-en-Montagne, Hauteroche, Izeure, Jailly-les-Moulins, Jallanges, Jours-les-Baigneux, Labergement-les-Seurre, Labruyère, Lanthes, Lechâtelet, Magny-les-Aubigny, Magny-les-Villers, Mâlain, Marigny-le-Cahoüet, Menesble, Ménetreux-le-Pitois, Mesmont, Minot, Moitron, Montigny-Montfort, Montmain, Montoillot, Montot, Moutiers-Saint-Jean, Mussy-la-Fosse, Nogent-les-Montbard, Pagny-la-Ville, Panges, Pellerey, Poiseul-la-Grange, Poncey-sur-l'Ignon, Pouillenay, Pouilly-sur-Saône, Prâlon, Quincerot, Quincey, Quincy-le-Vicomte, Recey-sur-Ource, Remilly-en-Montagne, La Roche-Vanneau, Saint-Anthot, Saint-Bernard, Saint-Broing-les-Moines, Saint-Germain-les-Senailly, Saint-Jean-de-Bœuf, Saint-Nicolas-les-Cîteaux, Saint-Rémy, Saint-Seine-l'Abbaye, Saint-Victor-sur-Ouche, Salmaise, Savigny-sous-Mâlain, Savouges, Seigny, Senailly, Seurre, Sombernon, Source-Seine, Terrefondrée, Thénissey, Trouhaut, Trugny, Turcey, Vaux-Saules, Venarey-les-Laumes, Verrey-sous-Drée, Verrey-sous-Salmaise, Vieilmoulin, Villaines-les-Prévôtes, Villebichot, La Villeneuve-les-Convers, Villotte-Saint-Seine, Villy-le-Moutier and Viserny.

In the department of Loire:

Ambierle, Arcinges, Arçon, Belleroche, Belmont-de-la-Loire, La Bénisson-Dieu, Boyer, Briennon, Le Cergne, Chandon, Changy, Charlieu, Le Crozet, Cuinzier, Ecoche, La Gresle, Jarnosse, Mably, Maizilly, Mars, Nandax, Noailly and Les Nöés, La Pacaudière, Pouilly-sous-Charlieu, Renaison, Sail-les-Bains, Saint-Alban-les-Eaux, Saint-André-d'Apchon, Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts, Saint-Denis-de-Cabanne, Saint-Forgeux-Lespinasse, Saint-Germain-la-Montagne, Saint-Germain-Lespinasse, Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, Saint-Haon-le-Vieux, Saint-Hilaire-sous-Charlieu, Saint-Martin-d'Estreaux, Saint-Nizier-sous-Charlieu, Saint-Pierre-la-Noaille, Saint-Rirand, Saint-Romain-la-Motte, Sevelinges, Urbise, Villers and Vivans.

In the department of Nièvre:

All municipalities except Annay, Dornecy and Neuvy-sur-Loire.

In the department of Rhône:

The canton of Belleville.

The municipalities of:

Aigueperse, Azolette, Monsols, Ouroux, Propières, Saint-Bonnet-des-Bruyères, Saint-Christophe, Saint-Clément-de-Vers, Saint-Etienne-des-Oullières, Saint-Igny-de-Vers, Saint-Jacques-des-Arrêts, Saint-Mamert and Trades.

In the department of Saône-et-Loire:

All municipalities except Beauvernois, Bosjean, Champagnat and Cuiseaux.

In the department of Yonne:

The canton of Avallon.

The municipalities of:

Andryes, Angely, Asquins, Bierry-les-Belles-Fontaines, Blacy, Chamoux, Cisery, Coutarnoux, Diges, Dissangis, Domecy-sur-Cure, Dracy, Foissy-les-Vézelay, Fontaines, Fontenay-près-Vézelay, Fontenoy, Givry, Guillon, L'Isle-sur-Serein, Joux-la-Ville, Lalande, Lavau, Leugny, Levis, Marmeaux, Merry-la-Vallée, Mézilles, Montréal, Moulins-sur-Ouanne, Moutiers-en-Puisaye, Parly, Pierre-Perthuis, Pisy, Sainpuits, Saint-André-en-Terre-Plaine, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Loing, Saint-Fargeau, Saint-Martin-des-Champs, Saint-Martin-sur-Ocre, Saint-Père, Saints-en-Puisaye, Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Santigny, Sauvigny-le-Beuréal, Savigny-en-Terre-Plaine, Sceaux, Talcy, Tannerre-en-Puisaye, Tharoiseau, Thizy, Toucy, Treigny, Trévilly, Vassy-sous-Pisy, Vézelay and Vignes.

5. Link with the geographical area

The geographical area of ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ consists of a number of small agricultural regions that rank among the most fertile in Europe and where a system of extensive livestock farming has developed. Nearly four-fifths of the agricultural areas are forage areas. In this geographical area natural grasslands, which are characterised by their diversity and the quality of their flora, make up the great majority of the forage areas (on average 73 %).

The climate — oceanic with continental or southern influences depending on the specific parts of the area — ensures even rainfall throughout the year. The temperature increases in the spring lead to a rapid warming up and promote the uniform growth of grass in the grasslands, the practice of haymaking and, in certain areas, second harvesting.

The Burgundy bocage (farmland with hedges and trees) was established in the nineteenth century as the region became specialised in cattle breeding and, in particular, the production of ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’. It is a geometric bocage, where the hedges are made of various thorny plants (dog-rose, blackthorn, etc.), elderberries, willows and other plants. The hedges are built of fences made using acacia poles and barbed wire, the base of which is fertilised with bird droppings. The breeders maintain these live hedges by pruning them regularly, which creates a link to the wild flora and fauna (which produce and use the hedge) and contributes to the well-being of the livestock (which grazes frequently) and to the character of the landscape.

As a transitional zone between the calcareous soils of the Paris basin and the crystalline soils of the Massif Central, the geographical area has benefited from this pedological variety, which has made it possible to develop complementary practices. The breeders produce and rear animals on poor crystalline soils and the fatteners ‘finish’ them on their fertile clay-limestone land.

The production system for ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ is characterised by the extensive improvement of land and the extensive management of livestock, in accordance with the alternating cycles of pasture and wintering. The potential of the Charolais animal and the grassland is made good use of in the area according to traditional principles established over several centuries.

The breeders are key to the process of selecting animals. They continue to improve the livestock, which has been passed down from one generation to the next. The know-how is transmitted between breeders (visual assessment of the animals' qualities, competitions, etc.) and generations (breeding livestock).

During winter the livestock receives feed based on hay, most of which comes from the holding and all of which comes from the geographical area, straw supplemented with cereals and oil-cake in limited quantities to balance the ration. The breeder's main objective is to shorten the wintering period to the extent possible. Often the animals return to the cowshed only once the pasturing potential has been exhausted and are put out to grass when the first green shoots appear in the spring. The mother-calf pair is turned out to pasture when the first green shoots appear, in order to make the best use of the grass.

The breeder manages the grassland in a rigorous manner in order to optimise the growth of grass. This includes the stocking and destocking of grasslands and the establishment of forage reserves. These practices help to preserve the qualitative and quantitative potential of the grasslands and make the parcels accessible to the animals during most of the year. This in turn allows the herd, composed of cows and their calves, to graze for a long period of time, which ends with the separation of the young animals from the rest of the herd.

The bocage, which is ideally suited to forage production, and livestock grazing have developed jointly in this region. The Charolais breed is particularly well adapted to these conditions. Here the use of a rearing system characterised by the extensive exploitation of the land and livestock makes it possible to manage large areas and maintain extensive open spaces.

The carcass of ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ displays a solid skeleton and has developed a remarkable carcass quality.

The meat yield of the ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ carcass exceeds 70 % and is excellent, with a high percentage of muscle and little covering fat. The yield is clearly higher than for comparable animals, with about 50 % of the meat being available for grilling. The carcass quality ranks among the best in its category, with almost 95 % of the animals being classified as good (R) to excellent (E).

The colour of ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ meat is a beautiful vivid and bright red. The fat is thin and light and forms a small network between the meat, rendering it marbled and flavourful. The meat is recognised for its nutritional quality and provides a significant amount of proteins, iron and vitamins, which are high-quality nutrients. When cooked the meat has the particularity of retaining water well, which limits the loss of juices. The main organoleptic characteristic of the meat is that it is tender and medium fatty while remaining flavourful and juicy.

‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ meat is the result of the breeders' know-how. The rearing practices, which have been handed down over time, have helped to shape the Burgundy bocage, in which the cattle spend time until maturity, on land that gives the meat its distinctive qualities.

The production of ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ developed thanks to the quality of the soils, the abundance of grassland, a favourable climate and hydrography and the pedogeological diversity.

Suckling promotes the production of healthy young animals. The fact that the animals are put out to grass early and graze for the maximum amount of time, combined with the existence of dry periods, obliges the animals to cope with drops in the availability of feed. As a result, the animal draws on its fat reserves. This production mechanism results in marbled meat whose flavours are enhanced by the distribution of fat within the pieces of meat.

The nature of the feed (in particular the importance of grazing) and the movements of the animals in the grassland contribute to the fine and tender quality of the meat. The high proportion of grass in the feed gives a red colour to the meat and also transfers to it natural antioxidants (vitamin E) that stabilise the colour until the meat is sold. The finishing phase adds a fatty layer to the carcass to supplement the fat deposited in the intermuscular adipose tissues (marbling), and this promotes maturation and the development of the taste and tenderness.

The link with the geographical area ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ is based on reputation.

For a long time now ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ has had an important place in the local cuisine and festivals. It is described in all guide books as typical of the Burgundy region. This reputation is underpinned in gastronomy by the recipes and comments of top chefs. For example Thierry and Damien Broin offer as a speciality ‘Boeuf Charolais de Bourgogne’, obtained from a short supply chain. In his restaurant, which is recommended in many guide books and referred to in several reviews, chef Yannick Vaillant acknowledges that ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ is renowned for its gustatory qualities.

Quality dishes featuring ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ are served at prestigious dinners, as illustrated by the presence of ‘Carpaccio de Charolais de Bourgogne’ on the menu of a fancy dinner and tasting event organised by the French Chambers of Agriculture at the Château de Savigny-les-Beaune on 8 July 1997.

‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ always earns distinctions in official competitions organised for the Charolais breed. For example, at the national competition of the World Charolais Congress held in August 2014, there were 750 animals present and more than 50 % of the winners were from Burgundy.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

https://www.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/4-CDCCharolaisdeBourgogne-Novembre2016-Propre.pdf

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