This is a major issue for French breeders today: to share, with the greatest possible transparency, their daily commitments. Food, living conditions … The animals are followed very closely. A requirement for Charal, who has shared his love for French beef for more than 30 years. The brand shares its vision with us today.
PUBLI-PRESS RELEASE
Did you know ? A fifth of France is made up of meadows, which is the largest grassland area in Europe. And thirteen million hectares are home to 20 million cattle. The breeding of these animals is organized into two categories: suckler herds (meat breeds) and dairy herds (dairy or mixed breeds), many of which are raised on farms on a human scale, where the family spirit dominates, even when they are in the form of groups between associated farmers Charal, a trusted brand for consumers, makes it a point of honor to forge lasting ties with breeders in France. 100% of the brand's meats come from French farms, and a lot of thought is being done by Charal on the breeding practices to be followed. Information that made us want to put on our boots and take a closer look at some Nantes breeders on a beautiful autumn day.
A partnership with the breeders
Since 2001, Charal has set up partnerships with breeders. 10,000 are concerned, or 30% of the brand's supplies. The partners come together around 3 commitments, at the heart of current concerns:
– a diet suitable for animals, healthy and centered on grass
– great care given to animal welfare, through
animal-friendly breeding conditions such as
pasture
– compensation for breeders specific to each sector.
These good practices can be found in the brand's 3 star sectors: “Charal Quality Audit”, “Organic” and “Herbo’pacte”. To support the various breeding practices, which meet specific specifications, Charal has set up financial incentives in the form of bonuses. With this additional remuneration, the brand wishes to support breeders who are committed to more virtuous breeding methods. The goal: that these represent 35% of Charal supplies by 2025.
More respectful and virtuous breeding conditions
The brand favors partner breeders who prioritize grassland systems. In more than 70% of the farms in the Charal quality audit sector, the cattle graze (that is to say, they eat by pulling up the grass, shoots or leaves on site) for more than 5 months per year. A very balanced diet, which corresponds to the natural needs of the animals. For Charal and the breeders, hygiene, comfort and good animal health are priorities. Thus, from the birth of the animal, the fundamentals must be respected: the absence of disease, discomfort, hunger, care or malnutrition, fear and distress. In 1999, the National Livestock Confederation (CNE) launched the Charter of Good Breeding Practices (CBPE), helping breeders to advance their work in this area. 5 essential commitments are dictated there:
– ensure the traceability of the animals on his farm
– ensure the health of his herd
– provide a healthy, balanced and monitored diet to his animals.
– ensure the well-being of animals and ensure the safety of people working on the farm
– participate in the protection of the environment.
During our visit to the Nantes farms, we feel the real involvement of the breeders with the animals. A passport, which follows the animal throughout its life, is created in order to better follow its course. Little surprise, he.she even gives each cow a little name.
As part of a continuous improvement process, 1,000 audits are carried out each year in the Charal-referenced farms. Frédéric, breeder of GAEC (Groupement Agricole d'Exploitation en Commun) La Gaudinière, explains: "An audit is carried out on my farm every 2-3 years, to check and verify that we are properly within the specifications. During the audit, the technician pays attention to the well-being and identification of the animals. He carries out health and food controls. The interest of the audit is to strengthen the relationship of trust between Charal and U.S". In part, these checks are carried out directly by Charal technicians and supervised by the brand's veterinarian. 60 points of verification are covered, such as animal identification, building compliance, access to the exterior, food, sanitary management of the farm or even animal protection.
“Herbo pacte”, quèsaco?
In 2003, a whole new sector was created by Charal: the “Herbo pacte”. A pact centered on grass, to make the most of unexploited meadows. On the farms concerned, the herds are most often made up of animals of hardy breeds (Hereford, Angus, Limousine), which have a great capacity to adapt to changing climatic conditions. In the meadows, we can indeed see these animals ruminating with delight on fresh grass. They live in the meadow all year round, except in the winter months, which are too harsh. Specifications define the management of breeding and its environmental aspect. Foods containing GMOs (less than 0.9%, in accordance with the regulations in force) are thus banned for these animals. This contract meets the expectations of consumers. Animals outside also allow farmers to be less strained by daily workloads, which therefore generates less costs. The objective over time: to guarantee a lasting relationship that respects the work of the breeders.
From the identification of animals to the quality of food, including the time spent in the meadows or even the conformity of buildings, nothing is left to chance. The objective being to go even further, in increasingly demanding breeding practices. Really, wouldn't happiness be in the hay?