Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the agricultural products and foodstuffs sector, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 2023/C 281/07
Date: 2023-08-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, consumer information, designation of origin, fresh meat, labelling, poultrymeat, product designation, quality control of agricultural products








C_2023281EN.01001501.xml










10.8.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 281/15






Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the agricultural products and foodstuffs sector, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
(2023/C 281/07)
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 Gers’


EU No: PGI-FR-0147-AM01 - 11.5.2023


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name of product

‘Volailles du Gers’
2.   Member State to which the geographical area belongs

France
3.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
—
4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

1.   Competent authority of the Member State

The ‘Competent authority of the Member State’ section containing the contact details for the National Institute of Origin and Quality (Institut national de la qualité et de l'origine – INAO) as the competent authority of the Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 has been added.
The amendment does not affect the single document
2.   Applicant group

The ‘Applicant group’ section has been amended to contain only the details of the group, its legal form and its composition.
The amendment does not affect the single document
3.   Introduction

The ‘Introduction’ part has been deleted.
The amendment does not affect the single document
4.   Type of product

The ‘Type of product’ section has been added.
The amendment does not affect the single document
5.   Name of product

The ‘Name of product’ section has been restricted to the name of the PGI ‘Volailles du Gers’. The products covered by the name are listed in the part concerning the description of the product.
The amendment does not affect the single document
6.   Description of the product

The ‘Description of the products’ section has been amended to include the list of poultry concerned:






—


Chicken, capon and poulard










—


Guinea fowl and guinea fowl capon










—


Turkey










—


Muscovy duck




A table summarising the phenotype for each species has been added. It also shows the minimum carcass weight for each poultry type. In this context, the word ‘red’ has been replaced by ‘yellow’ to describe the chicken (‘red’ being the colour of the plumage and ‘yellow’ the colour of the skin and the flesh).
The description of the poultry has been revised to describe the characteristics of the poultry: a round carcass with plump fillets and fleshy legs, firm flesh, and fine skin.
It has been added that poultry carcasses covered by the PGI must be class A. In the case of cuts, it has been added that they are class A and come from carcasses complying with the minimum weight.
It has been added that offal may be marketed as a stand-alone product under the PGI. The offal concerned is liver, gizzards and heart. They are taken from the poultry carcasses selected for the PGI.
The ‘Bacteriological quality’ section has been deleted as it merely set out statutory requirements.
The amendment affects the single document
7.   Definition of the geographical area

The wording of the ‘Definition of the geographical area’ section has been amended, but the geographical area has not been modified. The lists of municipalities, neighbouring cantons or districts mentioned in the original specification have been replaced by a list of municipalities in force. This revision revealed that some names needed to be corrected due to errors in transcription or updates following groupings and mergers of municipalities. These corrections have been made.
The amendment affects the single document
8.   Evidence that the product originates from the geographical area

The ‘Evidence that the product originates from the geographical area’ section has been amended. An obligation to identify operators prior to carrying out checks has been added. The evidence of traceability (step / tracked information / associated document) has been set out in a table. The traceability of all the amendments made to the product specification has also been added to this section.
The amendment does not affect the single document
9.   Method of production

The ‘Method of production’ section has been amended as follows:






 


‘Strains used’
Criteria for selecting strains have been added: all the strains are robust and slow-growing, adapted to a long rearing period and to free-range rearing and outdoor runs. Under the feeding and rearing conditions laid down in the specification, the strains and hybrid strains used must allow the minimum carcass weight to be reached by the minimum slaughter age.










 


‘Poultry house density’
The density of poulards in poultry houses has been changed and set at 11 birds/m2 for the first 81 days (4 400 per poultry house), then 9 birds/m2 (3 600 per poultry house) from 82 days.
The density of guinea fowl capons in poultry houses has been added and set at 13 birds/m2 for the first 94 days, then 10 birds/m2 (4 000 per poultry house) from 95 days.










 


‘Livestock facility and poultry house’
A provision has been added concerning the obligation to observe a fallowing period between each flock.










 


‘Runs’
The daily duration of access to runs has been added, along with a description of the run. The concept of shaded runs has been replaced by a number of trees or shrubs per run.
A minimum area of runs per bird has been added for guinea fowl capons, as well as an age for access to runs.
An age for access to runs has also been added for Muscovy ducks.










 


‘Feed’
It has been added that the feed for ‘Volailles du Gers’ consists of 100 % plants, minerals and vitamins.
The maximum percentage of total fat in the feed has been added, as well as the percentage of products derived from cereals in relation to the total weight of the feed formula.
A list of raw materials that can be included in the distributed feed has been added. Palm and palm kernel oils are excluded.
For each species, the minimum permitted percentage of cereals in the starting phase has been added. For the fattening period, a percentage of cereals in the feed formula has been added for guinea fowl capon and Muscovy duck.










 


‘Rearing period’
A minimum slaughter age has been added for poulard and guinea fowl capon.
The minimum slaughter age for grey chickens has been changed from 110 days to 105 days.










 


‘Conditions for removal, transport and slaughter’
A period of feed withdrawal prior to removal of the poultry from the holding has been added, together with a time limit between removal and slaughter and a maximum transport time. Comfort conditions have also been added for the waiting time before slaughter.










 


‘Production of offal’
Provisions on the processing and selection of offal have been added, including cleaning and drying conditions and any trimming.










 


‘Deep-freezing’
A maximum of 3 days between slaughter and deep-freezing has been prescribed.
The amendment does not affect the single document




10.   Link

The ‘Link’ section 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 the ‘Economic importance’ section has been deleted.
The amendment affects the single document
11.   Inspection body

The ‘Inspection body’ section has been amended in accordance with national guidelines aimed at harmonising how specifications are drafted, to contain only the name and contact details of the competent national authorities (INAO and DGCCRF).
The name and contact details of the certification body can be consulted via the website of the INAO and the European Commission’s database.
The amendment does not affect the single document
12.   Labelling

The ‘Labelling’ section has been amended in accordance with national guidelines aimed at harmonising how specifications are drafted. The current paragraphs have been deleted and replaced by a sentence indicating the mandatory regulatory elements.
The amendment does not affect the single document
13.   National requirements

In accordance with changes to national legislation and rules, the ‘National requirements’ section is presented in the form of a table indicating the main items to be checked and the evaluation methods to be used.
The amendment does not affect the single document
SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Volailles du Gers’


EU No: PGI-FR-0147-AM01 - 11.5.2023


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

‘Volailles du Gers’
2.   Member State or Third Country

France
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   
Type of product [as in Annex XI]


Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)
3.2.   
Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies


‘Volailles du Gers’ are birds of the Galliformes order. They belong to different families and include several types of bird:






—


Chicken, capon, and poulard;










—


Guinea fowl and guinea fowl capon;










—


Turkey.




‘Volailles du Gers’ also include waterfowl:
Muscovy duck.
They are derived from slow-growing strains, with a long rearing period and a slaughter age close to sexual maturity. They are reared free-range on grassy tree-lined runs, and are fed with feed consisting of 100 % plants, minerals and vitamins, including a minimum quantity of cereals and products derived from cereals during the fattening period.
These means of production make it possible to produce poultry characterised by:






—


a round carcass with plump fillets and fleshy legs,










—


firm flesh,










—


fine skin.




‘Volailles du Gers’ have the following characteristics:








 


Minimum eviscerated weight without offal


Skin colour


Leg colour




Yellow chicken


1  kg


Yellow


Yellow




White chicken


1  kg


White


White




Black chicken


1  kg


White


Black




Grey chicken


1,150  kg


Yellow


Yellow




Capon


2,500  kg


Yellow


Yellow




Poulard


1,800  kg


Yellow


Yellow




Guinea fowl


0,850  kg


Yellow


Black




Guinea fowl capon


1,400  kg


Yellow


Black




Turkey


2,300  kg


White to yellow


Black




Muscovy duck


Males: 2,300  kg
Females: 1,250  kg


White to yellow


 




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


The feed of ‘Volailles du Gers’ poultry consists of 100 % plants, minerals and vitamins, including a significant proportion of cereals.
The percentage of products derived from cereals must not exceed 15 % of the total weight of the feed formula.
The maximum total fat content of the feed is 6 %.
The different categories of raw materials that can be included in the feed are as follows:






—


cereal grains and products derived thereof;










—


oil seeds, oil fruits, and products derived thereof;










—


as regards vegetable oils, only crude and refined oils are allowed, except for products derived from palm and palm kernels, which are excluded;










—


legume seeds and products derived thereof;










—


tubers, roots and products derived thereof;










—


other seeds and fruits, and products derived thereof;










—


forages and roughage, and products derived thereof;










—


other plants, algae and products derived thereof;










—


minerals and products derived thereof.




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


‘Volailles du Gers’ poultry are reared in the defined geographical area from the age of 1 day until they are removed for slaughter.
3.5.   
Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to


‘Volailles du Gers’ are presented as whole birds, class A carcasses only, or as class A cuts obtained from carcasses complying with the minimum weight.
Whole birds are presented:






—


‘ready to cook’ (RTC: bird plucked, gutted, headless, with or without tarsal joints),










—


‘gutted’ (plucked, gutted, with head, feet and giblets present).




Whole birds and cuts are sold fresh, deep-frozen or cooked.
The giblets (heart, gizzard and liver) are sold fresh or frozen.
3.6.   
Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to


In addition to the mandatory information required by the rules on the labelling and presentation of foodstuffs, labels must include:






—


the registered product name ‘Volailles du Gers’;










—


the European Union’s PGI symbol in the same visual field.




4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of the ‘Volailles du Gers’ PGI comprises the following departments and municipalities:






—


The entire Department of Gers.










—


Department of Haute-Garonne:






—


Agassac, Ambax, Anan, Beaufort, Bellegarde-Sainte-Marie, Bellesserre, Bérat, Blajan, Boissède, Bonrepos-sur-Aussonnelle, Boulogne-sur-Gesse, Bragayrac, Brax, Brignemont, Cabanac-Séguenville, Cadours, Cambernard, Cardeilhac, Castelgaillard, Castelnau-Picampeau, Le Castéra, Castéra-Vignoles, Casties-Labrande, Caubiac, Cazac, Charlas, Ciadoux, Coueilles, Cox, Drudas, Empeaux, Escanecrabe, Fabas, Fonsorbes, Fontenilles, Forgues, Le Fousseret, Frontignan-Savès, Fustignac, Garac, Gensac-de-Boulogne, Goudex, Gratens, Le Grès, L'Isle-en-Dodon, Labastide-Clermont, Labastide-Paumès, Lafitte-Vigordane, Lagraulet-Saint-Nicolas, Lahage, Lamasquère, Laréole, Larroque, Lasserre-Pradère, Lautignac, Léguevin, Lespugue, Lévignac, Lilhac, Lussan-Adeilhac, Marignac-Lasclares, Martisserre, Mauvezin, Mérenvielle, Mirambeau, Molas, Mondilhan, Monès, Montastruc-Savès, Montbernard, Montégut-Bourjac, Montesquieu-Guittaut, Montgaillard-sur-Save, Montgras, Montmaurin, Montoussin, Nénigan, Nizan-Gesse, Péguilhan, Pelleport, Pibrac, Le Pin-Murelet, Plagnole, Plaisance-du-Touch, Polastron, Poucharramet, Pouy-de-Touges, Puymaurin, Puysségur, Rieumes, Riolas, Sabonnères, Saiguède, Saint-Araille, Sainte-Foy-de-Peyrolières, Sainte-Livrade, Saint-Élix-le-Château, Saint-Ferréol-de-Comminges, Saint-Frajou, Saint-Lary-Boujean, Saint-Laurent, Saint-Loup-en-Comminges, Saint-Lys, Saint-Pé-Delbosc, Saint-Thomas, Sajas, Salerm, La Salvetat-Saint-Gilles, Saman, Sarrecave, Sarremezan, Savères, Sénarens, Vignaux.














—


Department of Landes:






—


Aire-sur-l'Adour, Artassenx, Arthez-d'Armagnac, Arue, Arx, Bahus-Soubiran, Bascons, Baudignan, Betbezer-d'Armagnac, Bordères-et-Lamensans, Bourdalat, Bourriot-Bergonce, Buanes, Cachen, Castandet, Cazères-sur-l'Adour, Classun, Créon-d'Armagnac, Duhort-Bachen, Escalans, Estigarde, Eugénie-les-Bains, Le Frêche, Gabarret, Grenade-sur-l'Adour, Herré, Hontanx, Labastide-d'Armagnac, Lacquy, Lagrange, Larrivière-Saint-Savin, Latrille, Lencouacq, Losse, Lubbon, Lussagnet, Maillas, Maurrin, Mauvezin-d'Armagnac, Montégut, Parleboscq, Perquie, Pouydesseaux, Pujo-le-Plan, Renung, Retjons, Rimbez-et-Baudiets, Roquefort, Saint-Agnet, Saint-Cricq-Villeneuve, Sainte-Foy, Saint-Gein, Saint-Gor, Saint-Julien-d'Armagnac, Saint-Justin, Saint-Loubouer, Saint-Maurice-sur-Adour, Sarbazan, Sarron, Vielle-Soubiran, Vielle-Tursan, Le Vignau, Villeneuve-de-Marsan.














—


Department of Lot-et-Garonne:






—


Astaffort, Aubiac, Brax, Caudecoste, Cuq, Estillac, Fals, Fieux, Francescas, Lamontjoie, Lannes, Laplume, Lasserre, Layrac, Marmont-Pachas, Mézin, Moirax, Moncrabeau, Nomdieu, Poudenas, Réaup-Lisse, Roquefort, Sainte-Colombe-en-Bruilhois, Sainte-Maure-de-Peyriac, Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Balerme, Saint-Pé-Saint-Simon, Saint-Sixte, Saint-Vincent-de-Lamontjoie, Sauveterre-Saint-Denis, Sérignac-sur-Garonne, Sos.














—


Department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques:






—


Aubous, Aydie, Baliracq-Maumusson, Boueilh-Boueilho-Lasque, Burosse-Mendousse, Castetpugon, Conchez-de-Béarn, Diusse, Garlin, Mascaraàs-Haron, Moncla, Mont-Disse, Mouhous, Portet, Ribarrouy, Saint-Jean-Poudge, Tadousse-Ussau, Taron-Sadirac-Viellenave, Vialer.














—


Department of Hautes-Pyrénées:






—


Ansost, Antin, Aries-Espénan, Arné, Auriébat, Barbachen, Barthe, Bazillac, Bazordan, Bernadets-Debat, Betbèze, Betpouy, Bonnefont, Bouilh-Devant, Bugard, Buzon, Campuzan, Castelnau-Magnoac, Castelnau-Rivière-Basse, Casterets, Caubous, Caussade-Rivière, Cizos, Devèze, Escondeaux, Estampures, Estirac, Fontrailles, Fréchède, Gaussan, Gensac, Guizerix, Hachan, Hagedet, Hères, Labatut-Rivière, Lacassagne, Lafitole, Lahitte-Toupière, Lalanne, Lalanne-Trie, Lamarque-Rustaing, Laméac, Lapeyre, Laran, Larreule, Larroque, Lascazères, Lassales, Lescurry, Liac, Lubret-Saint-Luc, Luby-Betmont, Lustar, Madiran, Mansan, Maubourguet, Mazerolles, Mingot, Monfaucon, Monléon-Magnoac, Monlong, Moumoulous, Organ, Osmets, Peyret-Saint-André, Peyrun, Pouy, Puntous, Puydarrieux, Rabastens-de-Bigorre, Sadournin, Saint-Lanne, Saint-Sever-de-Rustan, Sariac-Magnoac, Sarriac-Bigorre, Sauveterre, Ségalas, Sénac, Sère-Rustaing, Sombrun, Soublecause, Thermes-Magnoac, Tostat, Tournous-Darré, Trie-sur-Baïse, Trouley-Labarthe, Ugnouas, Vidou, Vidouze, Vieuzos, Villefranque, Villembits, Villemur














—


Department of Tarn-et-Garonne:






—


Asques, Auterive, Auvillar, Balignac, Bardigues, Beaumont-de-Lomagne, Belbèze-en-Lomagne, Castéra-Bouzet, Le Causé, Cumont, Donzac, Dunes, Escazeaux, Esparsac, Faudoas, Gariès, Gensac, Gimat, Glatens, Goas, Gramont, Lachapelle, Lamothe-Cumont, Larrazet, Lavit, Mansonville, Marignac, Marsac, Maubec, Maumusson, Merles, Montgaillard, Le Pin, Poupas, Puygaillard-de-Lomagne, Saint-Cirice, Saint-Jean-du-Bouzet, Saint-Loup, Saint-Michel, Sérignac, Sistels, Vigueron.








5.   Link with the geographical area

The ‘Volailles du Gers’ designation’s link to the area is based on the traditional production method, which combines a long free-range rearing period with a diet containing a high percentage of cereals. These factors give the products their specific characteristics and have contributed to the reputation of ‘Volailles du Gers’, which has grown over time.
The geographical area is located in south-western France, between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees and the Garonne, centred on the department of Gers. It takes the form of a large sedimentary plateau crossed by a series of watercourses, most of which originate from the foot of the Pre-Pyrenean plateaux. This plateau has a general south-north inclination from the Pyrenees to the Garonne, with altitudes of around 300 m to the south, gradually declining to 80 m towards the north.
The geographical area is characterised by variably rugged hillsides alternating with variably wide valleys.
From a climatological perspective, it is a contact zone and area of climate transition, in which different influences (Atlantic, Continental and Pyrenean, Mediterranean) converge, affecting the vegetation.
The predominantly Atlantic climate is characterised by rather mild and wet winters and springs, hot and very dry summers, and mild, dry autumns, with a decreasing humidity gradient from west to east and a decreasing mildness gradient from north to south.
This area is characterised by mixed farming and, in particular, poultry farming.
Until the 1950s, farming was very diversified and non-specialised, consisting of a few laying hens, broilers, rabbits, geese and ducks intended to meet a family’s needs.
Gradually, these holdings expanded, resulting in some surplus production that farmers sold at the local markets of Fleurance, Seissan, Samatan, Mirande and Gimont.
This traditional farmyard poultry rearing was subsequently organised and rationalised. Holdings grew in size and became specialised, while maintaining the free-range nature of production.
In the 1960s, the first producer groups emerged, with the particular aim of promoting and growing sales of these poultry products.
In 1975, the various producer groups set up an association with slaughterhouses with the aim of ensuring better technical coordination, but above all, more secure market access, for all this poultry, by indicating its origin and quality. From then on, the reputation of ‘Volailles du Gers’ grew.
Between 1988 and 1993, spontaneous and prompted awareness of the products doubled.
‘Volailles du Gers’ are reared free-range, with permanent access to an outdoor run during the day. The choice of slow-growing strains means the birds can venture outside early but also allows them to make optimal use of the run.
‘Volailles du Gers’ are characterised by the quality of their meat and their appearance:






—


a round carcass with plump fillets and fleshy legs,










—


firm flesh,










—


fine skin.




In the geographical area, the soil and climate have for several decades enabled significant and diversified agricultural production, in particular of oil seeds and cereals.
These cereals have formed the basis for the development of poultry farming and for poultry feed, although nowadays ‘Volailles du Gers’ are no longer necessarily fed with local cereals. The feed is thus made up of at least 80 % cereals in the case of chicken, capon, poulard and turkey. This particularly high level, as well as a long rearing period, contributes to the characteristics of the meat of these birds.
The climate is also particularly suitable for free-range rearing, with permanent access to a grassy and tree-lined outdoor run during the day. The trees provide shelter for the poultry and encourage them to explore the runs. They are naturally very active and fulfil their scratching and pecking needs on the shaded grassy runs provided for them.
This outside activity also contributes to the characteristics of ‘Volailles du Gers’ and their fleshy and plump conformation.
‘Volailles du Gers’ have a long-standing reputation, as evidenced by several references: ‘This year the poultry wholesalers had chosen the Gers capon with its traditional finery as an ambassador and symbol of French gastronomy in poultry products’ (Filières Avicole – Pour la table de Jacques Chirac. Un chapon du Gers à l’Elysée – September 1998); ‘If Gers chickens are the best in the world, it’s because they are the happiest.’‘Here we have always known how to rear poultry.’ (LSA – ‘Fermières Volailles: Dans la grande tradition gastronomique du Gers, quotation André Daguin, April 1990), ‘very fine, well-proportioned size, good-sized legs, tender and smooth flesh, juicy, fragrant and tasty, very crisp, pleasant smell, good fat balance’ (Cuisine et Vins de France – February-March 2012: ‘Banc d’essai les poulets fermiers – Poulet jaune fermier Gers (17/20)).

Reference to publication of the specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-03e9b760-df5f-4e0f-aa3d-b2ad1a3a4a0b


(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.