INTERPROFESSIONAL AGREEMENT FRESH TRUFFLES
At the unanimous request of the member organizations of INTERFEL and the French Federation of Trufficulteurs, it is unanimously agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I: Purpose
The purpose of this interprofessional agreement is to define a Standard for Fresh Truffles (harvested in truffle plantations and from the natural environment) in order to improve the quality of truffles, ascocarps from mushrooms of the TUBER genus, produced in France.
ARTICLE II: Standard Fresh Truffles
1-CASH
Truffle species harvested in France (in truffle plantations and from the natural environment) are authorized for sale under the following name: – Tuber melanosporum Vitt. sometimes referred to as Tuber nigrum Bull., usually referred to as “black truffle”, “black Périgord truffle”, “Périgord truffle”, – Tuber brumale Vitt., usually referred to as “brumale truffle” and Tuber brumale Vitt. var. moschatum Ferry de Bellone, usually called “musk truffle”, – Tuber aestivum Vitt., usually called “Saint Jean truffle”, “summer truffle”, “white summer truffle”, – Tuber uncinatum Chatin, usually called “Burgundy truffle”, – Tuber mesentericum Vitt., usually called “mesenteric truffle”, – Tuber borchii Vitt. or Tuber albidum Pico, usually called “Blanquette”, – Tuber macrosporum Vitt., usually called “smooth truffle”.
Their botanical and organoleptic characteristics are specified in the appendix.
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2-PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
A- Minimum characteristics In all categories, regardless of the special provisions provided for each category and the tolerances allowed, the truffles (harvested in a truffle plantation and coming from the natural environment) must: – be whole, i.e. the truffles (harvested in a truffle plantation and coming from the natural environment) whose ascocarp (body) is whole, free from any breaks and cuts; a slight superficial cut is not considered a defect, – have the characteristic smell, flavor and color of the species, – be of sufficient maturity, such that the truffles meet commercial requirements at the place of destination, – be firm to the touch, – be clean, brushed or washed without traces of soil, – be free from pests and foreign matter, – be free from rot and deterioration by frost, – be free from abnormal external humidity, – have a mass greater than or equal to 5 grams.
B- Classification Truffles are classified into three categories defined below: (a) "EXTRA" category Only superior quality truffles are classified in this category. In addition, they must: – present the characteristics of the species, – have a rounded, more or less regular and lobed shape, – be free from damage caused by predators. They must be free from defects, with the exception of: – very slight superficial defects, – very slight defects in appearance, – very slight defects in shape, – very slight defects in color, provided that these do not bear not affect the general appearance of the product, its quality, its keeping quality or its presentation. (b) Class “I” Only truffles of good quality are classified in this class. They may, however, contain the following slight defects, provided that these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, nor its quality, nor its keeping quality, nor its presentation: – slight defects in shape, appearance and color, – slight superficial bruising, – slight damage from predators.
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(c) Category "II" This category includes truffles that do not fall into the higher categories, provided that they respect the minimum characteristics.
3-PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZES The size is determined by the unit mass of the truffles. – Truffles classified in Category “EXTRA” must have a mass greater than or equal to 20 grams, – Truffles classified in Category “1” must have a mass greater than or equal to 10 grams, – Truffles classified in Category “2” must have a mass greater than or equal to 5 grams.
4-PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES Tolerances relating to marketed species. The separate marketing of truffle species is mandatory. However, given the complexity of the analysis, it is accepted for a given species, a tolerance of 2% of different species provided that they were harvested at the same time. Under no circumstances can the different species found be species not produced in France such as, for example, Tuber indicum. Canifage is advised at each uncertainty.
Quality tolerances. In each category, it is allowed that 2% by mass of truffles do not correspond to the characteristics of the category, but conform to those of the category directly below.
Mass tolerances. In each category, it is allowed that 2% by mass of truffles have a mass lower than the minimum mass provided for the category. The cumulative quality and mass tolerances cannot exceed 2% of the mass.
5-PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION Truffle species must be marketed separately.
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A- Homogeneity. The contents of each package must be uniform, containing only truffles of the same origin, species and quality and substantially the same state of maturity, development and colouring. The visible part of the package must be representative of the whole.
B- Conditioning. Truffles must be packed in such a way as to ensure adequate protection of the product. The materials and in particular the paper used inside the package must be new, clean and of a material such that they cannot cause external or internal damage to the products. The use of materials and in particular of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is authorized, provided that the printing or labeling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. Packages must be free of all foreign bodies. Truffles must be presented in new packaging when they are dispatched.
C - Presentation. Fresh truffles must be presented in canvas bags, nets or other containers that do not affect their quality.
– PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING: The indications relating to marking as specified below, – must be visible when the product is presented to the user or consumer. They appear on the packaging or pre-packaging or, in the case of bulk sales, on a notice visible to the buyer. – can be placed inside the package during shipment.
A- Identification – Packer and/or shipper – Name and address or symbolic identification, issued or recognized by an official body.
B- Name of the product – Truffles, – Usual name of the truffle species as provided for in article 2 of this standard, – Botanical name as provided for in article 2 of this standard,
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C- Origin of the product – Country, – Department or region of harvest, – Possibly regional or local name, collective brand.
D- Commercial characteristics – Category
E- Official control mark (optional)
ARTICLE III: Marketing dates
The marketing of immature truffles is prohibited. The peddling, offering for sale, sale and purchase of fresh truffles, harvested in truffle plantations and coming from the natural environment is prohibited before the start dates of the period of maturity which is considered normal for each species on production sites, namely:
Cash Maturity dates
Tuber melanosporum Vitt. or Tuber nigrum Bull. November 15 to March 31
Tuber Brumale Vitt. and Tuber Brumale Vitt. var. moschatum Ferry from Bellona November 15 to March 31
Tuber aestivum Vitt. May 1 to September 30
Tuber uncinatum Chatin September 15 to January 15
Tuber mesentericum Vitt. September 15 to January 15
Tuber borchii Vitt. or Tuber albidum Pico January 15 to April 30
Tuber macrosporum Vitt. September 1 to December 31.
Fresh truffles may not be marketed beyond ten days following the closing date of the said periods. These dates can be modified by INTERFEL, at the request of the French Federation of Trufficulteurs, for a harvest season for a production region, when the conditions of maturity of a species justify it.
ARTICLE IV: Transitional measures During a transitional period ending on the expiry of this agreement, the marketing of unbrushed and unwashed truffles is authorized on the wholesale production markets of Carpentras, Lalbenque, Montagnac, Richerenches and Valréas.
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During this transitional period, the marketing of truffles is authorized on the wholesale production markets of Carpentras, Lalbenque, Montagnac, Richerenches, and Valréas (d) under a “Sorted” or “Unsorted” presentation (e) in the presentation “ Sorted“, under two categories:
1) Class “1” which includes truffles meeting the specifications of the “Extra” and “I” categories as defined in article “2-B” of the standard; 2) Class “2” meeting the specifications of category “II” as defined in article “2-B” of the standard.
ARTICLE V: Appendix Botanical and organoleptic characteristics of truffle species harvested in France (attached file)
SECTION VI:
Checks and samples, with a view to ensuring compliance with this agreement, on French territory, from the production stage and at all stages of marketing, will be carried out by INTERFEL agents or authorized by INTERFEL or , within the framework of their attributions, by the agents of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and in particular of the General Directorate for Competition, Consumption and of Fraud Prevention.
SECTION VII:
This agreement is concluded for the 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009 campaigns. If market conditions so require, INTERFEL undertakes to present as soon as possible to the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry as well as to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, an amendment suspending and/or modifying the application of this agreement.
Done in Paris, October 12, 2006 "Certified exact" The President of INTERFEL,
Gilles Vignaud.