Albas goat meat -- produced in Otog banner administered by Ordos city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region -- was recently included on the list of 100 Chinese geographical indications, or GIs, that will be protected in Europe, according to Ordos officials.

They said this was the first product in Ordos covered by the European Union's protective geographical indication list.

It comes in the wake of the China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications, signed by China's Ministry of Commerce and the European Commission during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Beijing on Nov 6, 2019.

Officials said agreement officially took effect on July 20, 2020.

The GI is a label applied to products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

Albas goat meat was included on the GI list due to its qualities including tender taste, high protein and low fat content.

The Albas goat has a recorded history stretching back nearly 6,000 years.

Officials said it is a rare local fine animal breed developed by the farmers and herdsmen in Otog banner through long-term breeding, selection and natural evolution. Its meat is highly regarded in the region and beyond.

Officials said that entry onto the China-EU GI list signifies that the excellent quality of Albas goat meat has been recognized in the European and global markets.

They said it will strongly promote the brand value of Albas goat meat, and also accelerate its access to the EU market.