Sheep farming is a historical product, emblematic of our region. In the 1980s, the actors in the area joined forces to highlight the superior quality of the product.
In 2004, that collective effort led to the recognition by the Protected Geographic Indication for Poitou-Charentes lamb.
The industry has grown and become a must on the French lamb and mutton market and certified for its quality with over 80,000 lambs sold a year.
As a dynamic farmer, I enjoy passing on the authenticity of the P.G.I. Agneau du Poitou-Charentes product to the consumer. Only seven breeds of meat are covered by the specifications, and I use cross-breed three of them on my farm. The way the herd is raised is characteristic of the region; the ewes graze pastures at least 7 months a year.
It’s compulsory for a lamb to be born and raised on the same farm in Poitou-Charentes or its neighbouring cantons. It is fed ewe’s milk for at least 60 days. Then it is fed grass and fodder produced exclusively in the P.G.I. area, as well as certified GMO-free supplements. Slaughtering age is set at 300 days maximum.
More info: www.agneau-poitou-charentes.com