Brussels, 11/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - The United Kingdom is seeking Community protection of the “Isle of Man Loaghtan Lamb” appellation of meat from pure breed “Manx Loaghtan” sheep which have been born, raised and slaughtered on the Isle of Man. The application for recognition of this registered designation of origin is published in the Official Journal C 3 of 6 January 2006. The meat is fine grained and is less fatty and darker than meat from more commercial breeds. It has a distinct, gamey flavour. Dressed carcase weights range from 13 kg at 6 months to 18 kg at 15 months. The breed is thought to be descended from those introduced in prehistoric times, from the flocks of the native Celts, or from flocks brought to the island by the Vikings.
Two other applications for the protection of appellations are published in the same Official Journal. One is for the Portuguese potato grown in the mountains and valleys of the Trás-os-Montes, with the geographical indication “Batata de Trás-os-Montes, and the second is for Geraardsbergse Mattentaart/tartes au maton de Grammont from Belgium.