News

1st March 2011

British Texel exhibits draw in the crowds, at the prestigious Paris Show (SIA)

The Society continued their EU promotion of British Texel by attending the 48th Paris International Agricultural Show, the annual meeting place for the farmers and breeders from the world of agriculture. Every year the general agricultural competition for animals is one of the main events of the show. Attracting over 1,100 commercial exhibitors from 34 countries. 1,400 breeders with 7 species and 360 breeds, with a total of 3,512 animals represented, all witnessed by 652, 189 visitors, a bonanza of a show nothing that the UK has to compare.

British Texel promotions assisted the French team at the “L’Agneau St George stand”, the British brand that Eblex support for the promotion of English lamb. The French promotional team led by the very experienced Remi Fourrier have successfully developed a recognised brand that French consumers and retailers relate to.

British Texels in the form of two excellent Hogget’s and two Border Leicester’s along with Hereford cattle were the main live exhibits on the stand, although the main purpose of the “St George” brand promotion is to develop relationships between the processing industry and develop the brand/product further into the French retail sector. The interest in the live exhibits from the wider public was intense, with plenty also attracted to the main plasma screen which screened the Texel promotional video “British Texel-something for everybody” along with the “St George” product promotional video.

French Texel administration is by OSON: “organisation de sélection ovine (sheep) du Nord”. It has government accreditation as the selection organisation of both the French Texel and Ille De France Breeds, and has an artificial insemination centre and an individual trial station. The office, progeny test station and AI centre are located at Verdilly, between Paris and Reims.

French Texel breeders are also beginning to visit the UK, with a recent visit in 2010 by Perry Christophe of the Harcingny (02) flock to the RUAS Balmoral 2010. Christophe is pictured at the Paris event, along with the OSON President, Technical Director and Gordon Gray. Christophe was extremely successful at SIA 2011 having been awarded the Champions prize for his two shear ram (25506090037), winning the 1st prize for wool and 1st prize meat section, (pictured).