Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Date: 2007-11-24
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, designation of origin, egg, location of production, product designation

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Official Journal of the European Union

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OTHER ACTS

COMMISSION

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on
the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and
foodstuffs

(2007/C 282/16)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation
(EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of
this publication.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ŒUFS DE LOUÉ’

EC No: FR/PGI/005/0356/28.07.2004

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité

Address: 51, rue d'Anjou

F-75008 Paris

Tel.

Fax

(33) 153 89 80 00

(33) 142 25 57 97

E-mail:

info@inao.gouv.fr

2. Group:

Name:

Address:

Tel.

Fax

Syndicat des Volailles Fermières de Loué — SYVOL QUALIMAINE

82, avenue Rubillard
F-72000 Le Mans

(33) 243 39 93 13

(33) 243 23 42 19

E-mail:

info@loue.fr

Composition: Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3.

Type of product:

Class 1.4: Other products of animal origin (eggs, honey, various dairy products except butter, etc.)

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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4.

Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

4.1. Name:

‘Œufs de Loué’

4.2. Description: Brown-shelled eggs of laying hens. When raw, the yoke is straw coloured and the white is
firm and translucent. The eggs have a creamy taste, weigh at least 48 grams in the shell and are sold as
extra fresh or fresh or bear the date of laying. They are sold in cartons or individually.

4.3. Geographical area: The holdings on which the laying hens are raised are located in the following geogra-

phical area:

the Department de la Sarthe; the Department de la Mayenne; in the Departments of l'Orne, l'Indre et
Loire, Loir et Cher, l'Eure et Loir: neighbouring cantons; in the Department of Maine et Loire: the
District of Segré and the Cantons of Louroux-Béconnais, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Angers, Tiercé,
Durtal, Seiches-sur-le-Loir, Baugé, Beaufort-en-Vallée, Noyant, Longué-Jumelles, Allonnes (that part
lying to the North of the Loire).

4.4. Proof of origin: All those involved in the sector are registered (farmers, feed manufacturers, packers).

Documentary records are kept of each batch of hens at each stage: certificates of origin, transfer notes,
holding forms, etc. Similarly, egg production is recorded daily (laying register) and each day's produc-
tion is monitored all the way to the packing centre (egg collection notes, grading notes, records of indi-
vidual numbering of each carton).

Finally, each egg is clearly identified with the name of the producer and the designation ‘LOUÉ’ on the
shell.

Checks to ensure that all this information tallies guarantee the traceability of the product.

4.5. Method of production: Œufs de Loué are from:

— commercial hens raised in small groups in open runs and on the ground in a henhouse with

natural ventilation and light,

— the hens are fed with cereals grown in the production region,

— the hens are of a specific breed of

laying hens adapted to the free-range production of

brown-shelled eggs.

The farmer collects the eggs from the henhouse several times a day, sorts them manually and then
stores them on the holding at a controlled temperature.

The eggs are collected several times a week and taken to a special packing centre.

At the packing centre, the eggs are sorted and candled and the shells are individually marked.

4.6. Link:

A n e s t a b l i s h e d r e p u t a t i o n

For two hundred years, the economic health of the village of Loué, the administrative centre of its
canton in the Department de la Sarthe, has depended on its successful weekly market and its four
annual fairs, of which the largest and best known is the foire de l'Envoi. The reputation of the eggs and
poultry on sale was such that they always commanded a higher price than those sold at other markets.
Œufs de Loué are today still the most expensive on the market. The reputation of these free-range eggs
is unequalled in France.

A s p e c i a l q u a l i t y

The special quality of œufs de Loué, on which their reputation is based, is the result of four factors: feed,
free-range housing, know-how and a specific breed of hen adapted to this form of production.

— Feed is sourced in the area of the holding

The wheat- and maize-growing region in which commercial Loué hens are raised provides most of
their feed. These cereals give the eggs their natural straw yellow colour.

It has also been shown that the grass the hens peck on in their run makes a significant contribution
to the quality of the eggs.

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— The hens are raised on vast runs

The eggs are from free-range Loué hens. Their vast, grassed and shaded runs are larder, exercise
area and shelter for the hens during the day.

The area's temperate oceanic climate allows the hens to spend time outside every day, while rainfall
throughout the year ensures good grass growth.

— Specific know-how

Production in the Loué region was high until the early 1970s, but sales of œufs de Loué declined as
consignors of butter, eggs and poultry began to specialise purely in poultry. It was in response to
demand from the egg trade that Loué farmers relaunched production in 1987. They have developed
particular egg-production methods based on their know-how, recognised since 1959, regarding
raising hens, feed, climatic conditions, crop production and the local landscape that allow the hens
to be kept in free-range housing throughout the year.

— A breed adapted to this form of production

Using their know-how regarding the genetic selection of commercial slow-developing meat poultry,
Loué farmers select hens producing brown-shelled eggs with a view to hardiness, to enable them to
cope with life outdoors, and egg quality.

4.7. Inspection body:

Name:

QUALI OUEST

Address: 30, rue du Pavé

F-72000 Le Mans

(33) 243 14 21 11

(33) 243 14 27 32

Tel.

Fax

E-mail:

qualiouest@qualiouest.com

4.8. Labelling:

‘Œufs de Loué’