EN
8.3.2023
Official Journal of the European Union
C 86/31
Two breeds have been added to the list of authorised breeds for the mothers: the Blanche du Massif Central and the Lacaune viande.
These three breeds may be used pure-bred or as first-generation crossbreeds.
A list of breeds for the fathers has been added, taken from hardy and meat breeds and used pure-bred.
Depending on what the lambs are intended for, the farmer chooses a father of the most appropriate breed: meat breeds for the conformation of the lambs and hardy breeds for the replacement of ewe lambs.
As regards the fitting-out of buildings (sheds, transit centres), new obligations have been added to cover the PGI producers’ usual practices (access to food and water, density of animals in the building, quality of bedding and cleaning of buildings).
As regards animal care, animal handling requirements have been added (with care, ban on grabbing animals by the wool), as well as a ban on the castration of males.
As regards veterinary care, new obligations have been added to regulate the use and traceability of medicated feed.
In order to regulate the animal transport stage and minimise stress, a maximum journey time of 8 hours has been added.
Sub-section 5.6 ‘Slaughter’ In line with the amendment set out under ‘Description of the product’, the age of the lambs at slaughter has been modified, reducing it to between 60 and 150 days (instead of 90 to 180 days previously).
The requirement has been supplemented by a reference to the fact that lambs slaughtered at between 60 and 69 days old are unweaned.
A maximum period of 24 hours has been set between the arrival of the lambs and slaughter.
Conditions for the chilling of carcasses have been defined and added to this section (core temperature, lack of condensation).
The criteria for the selection of carcasses have been added, as well as the conditions for storing and selecting carcasses (entire carcasses, storage room, after chilling, cold inspection).
Sub-section 5.7 ‘Selection of offal’ Requirements relating to the selection of offal have been added, according to which it should be taken from ‘Agneau du Quercy’ PGI lambs when it is separated from the carcasses.
Sub-section 5.9 ‘Cutting and packaging’ Requirements have been added that packaging must take place in the cutting plant immediately after cutting, and that the meat may be packaged wholesale or in consumer sales units.
4.8.
Link The section entitled ‘Link with the geographical area’ has been completely rewritten, but the substance has not changed.
It has been reorganised into three parts to distinguish the specific characteristics of the geographical area, the specific characteristics of the product and the causal link.
4.9.
Inspection body In accordance with the guidelines in force at national level to harmonise the drafting of product specifications, the name and contact details of the certification body and the control plan in table form have been deleted.
Under this heading, the contact details of the authorities responsible for national inspections are now provided, i.e. the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) and the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (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.