Porc du Ventoux

Porc du Ventoux is a French quality label and producer syndicate for free-range pork raised in the foothills around Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse department of Provence. The label was created in 1998, following discussions that began in the early 1980s and production standards refined in the early 1990s. It is registered under the trademark Cochon du Mont Ventoux. The syndicate brings together outdoor pig farmers who raise crossbreeds of Large White or Landrace and Duroc at altitudes of 800 to 1,000 metres. The production zone lies east of Sault, within a 50 km radius in the Monts de Vaucluse, south of Mont Ventoux, between the Parc Naturel Régional du Ventoux, Comtat Venaissin, Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, Pays de Banon and Pays de Forcalquier. Animals have about 100 to 110 m² of open field per individual and are fed a varied diet of more than 70% cereals supplemented with legumes; growth promoters and animal-derived products are banned by the production charter. There are currently seven farms raising Cochon du Mont-Ventoux, located on the Plateau d'Albion at Saint-Christol, in the Pays de Banon at Saint-Martin-les-Eaux, at Ongles, and in the Comtat Venaissin at Grillon and Richerenches. Piglets are marked within a week of birth for traceability. Pigs are slaughtered at 180 days of age, weighing between 105 and 110 kg, in facilities within 200 km of their farm; currently all are slaughtered by the abattoirs of Pays d'Apt in Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt. Annual production is about 8,500 pigs, 85% of which is sold in the region, split equally among butchers, restaurants and large-scale distribution. The filière has filed the Cochon du Mont Ventoux trademark but does not have official recognition as an INAO label.

The creation of the Porc du Ventoux filière followed a long reflection that began in the early 1980s, with the establishment of the first labels. Production techniques were refined in the early 1990s, leading to the NF V46.004 standard 'Valorisation des viandes de porcs vendues ou utilisées à l’état frais' in 1994. The harmonisation of the filière became federated in 1998 with the creation of the Syndicat du Porc du Ventoux. The filière filed the trademark Cochon du Mont Ventoux but does not have official recognition by an INAO label.

• 1998

  Creation of the Syndicat du Porc du Ventoux.

• 1994

  NF V46.004 standard published.

• 1980

  Beginning of discussions and establishment of first labels.

High-quality, free-range, locally produced pork from a specific Provençal terroir, sold mainly within the region.

• Free-range pork

  Pork from pigs raised outdoors at 800–1,000 m altitude, fed a cereal-based diet.

1. 1Porc du Ventouxfr.wikipedia.org
2. 2Porc du Ventouxwikidata.org