Volailles du Velay

Volailles du Velay designates poultry carcases produced in the Département of Haute-Loire and the adjacent districts of Viverols and Arlane. The specification requires pure or crossbred slow-growing stock, reared on farms in the open air or free-range, fed on a cereal-based diet, and slaughtered at a minimum age defined by poultry type. Products are marketed fresh or frozen, whole or in sections.

About this designation

Volailles du Velay is registered as a PGI under file number PGI-FR-0165, with EU protection granted on 21 June 1996; the eAmbrosia identifier is EUGI00000012948. The designated geographical area comprises the Département of Haute-Loire together with the adjacent districts of Viverols and Arlane. The specification requires pure or crossbred slow-growing stock reared on farms in the open air or free-range, with a cereal-based feed and a minimum slaughter age that varies by poultry type. Carcases must exhibit firm flesh and superior organoleptic qualities, slaughtered at an age close to sexual maturity. Products may be marketed fresh or frozen, whole — either oven-ready or with giblets — or in sections, with the exception of festive poultry. All participants in the production network — hatcheries, feed producers, breeders, and abattoirs — are registered, and documentary records are maintained for every batch, enabling full traceability from day-old chick to labelled carcase. Each label is numbered. Products bear the designation Volailles du Velay, the name of the poultry type, and the name and address of the certifying authority. The applicant group is the Syndicat Malvoisine (SYNDIM) — Comité Auvergne. The historical basis for the designation includes centuries of farm-based poultry rearing in the region, with produce traditionally sold at local markets including the market known as the Plot au Puy en Velay.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 21 June 1996 under file number PGI-FR-0165 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000012948).
• The geographical area is limited to the Département of Haute-Loire and the adjacent districts of Viverols and Arlane.
• Every label is numbered, and documentary records are kept for each batch to ensure full traceability from hatchery to slaughter.
• Festive poultry is explicitly excluded from sale in sections; all other eligible types may be marketed whole or in sections.

Tasting notes

Velay (Haute-Loire) free-range poultry IGP.

HoReCa use

Auvergne regional preparations.

Packaging

• whole-bird-fresh-1.5-2kg