The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Le Recoignot on September 28, 2011, 06:06:09 pm

Title: Keeping sheep in France
Post by: Le Recoignot on September 28, 2011, 06:06:09 pm
We are moving to France within the next year or so. Our property comprises an old farmhouse several outbuildings and about an acre or so of pasture. My thoughts are to ring fence the pasture and keep 4 sheep (ideally orphaned lambs) to keep the grass down and to provide us with a plentiful supply of lamb.

Are there any regulations or practices that differ greatly to doing the same in the UK. Any do's and don'ts?

Thanks
Title: Re: Keeping sheep in France
Post by: kanisha on September 28, 2011, 06:26:50 pm
I think there are a number of members here who keep sheep in france myself included. i can't comment on UK regs I have no idea but electronic tags are essential as well as a cheptel number you will need to contact your local EDE for this.
If your not breeding it should be too complicated. don't forget BTV may be an issue and speaking personally I keep an officially brucellosis free flock testing is mandatory on this department every three years but it does vary
Title: Re: Keeping sheep in France
Post by: OhLaLa on September 29, 2011, 01:27:09 pm
Best thing to do is when you arrive is go and chat with a sheep keeping neighbour (good French language is essential for both chatting, and the paperwork you will need to fill in). There are many do's and don'ts.

Whereabouts in France are you moving to? Not knowing which area you are going to, I've attached a link for AIAM in Manche (can't find one for Brittany but someone else on here who lives in France may have it):

http://www.manche.chambagri.fr/mon_cheptel.asp (http://www.manche.chambagri.fr/mon_cheptel.asp)


this link which explains tagging requirements:

http://agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/indentification.pdf (http://agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/indentification.pdf)


and this link gives info on traceability:

http://www.ptaa.be/Newsletter12/tracabilite.pdf (http://www.ptaa.be/Newsletter12/tracabilite.pdf)


I'm afraid all the links are in French but it's good practice for when you go down to their offices.

Bonne Chance!

 :farmer:  :sheep:
Title: Re: Keeping sheep in France
Post by: Le Recoignot on September 29, 2011, 06:32:44 pm
Thanks for your responses.
The area is within the Department of the Deux Sevre (no 79 in the Poitou Charrente). This is mainly cattle country (Parthenaise, Charollais & Limousin) but it is renown for its goat cheese. We havec about an acre of grass, a post type barn and 2 small buildings in varying states of disrepair. I thought that 4 sheep would keep the grass down (if necessary over wintered in one of the small buildings). I am not too sure about breeding more trying to obtain some orphaned lambs. Our neighbour is a farmer (good friend!) however Holsteins for milk and ducks comprise his stock.

Lamb is particularly attractive as it is expensive to buy in France. Innitially we had thought that 4-6 pigs would be worthwhile, what puts me off is that pork is cheap (and good!) in France and the regs for keeping pork are likely to become onerous in the near future. Any views?
thanks