14.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 278/7

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Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2012/C 278/06

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

AMENDMENT APPLICATION ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 9

‘ARROZ DEL DELTA DEL EBRO’/‘ARRÒS DEL DELTA DE L’EBRE’

EC No: ES-PDO-0105-0336-04.10.2011

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment:

—		Name
—	☒	Description
—		Geographical area
—		Proof of origin
—	☒	Method of production
—		Link
—	☒	Labelling
—		National requirements
—		Other (to be specified)

2.   Type of amendment(s):

—	☒	Amendment to single document or summary sheet
—		Amendment to specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the single document nor the summary has been published
—		Amendment to specification that requires no amendment to the published single document (Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)
—		Temporary amendment to specification resulting from imposition of obligatory sanitary or phyto-sanitary measures by public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

3.   Amendment(s):

3.1.   Description of product:

3.1.1.   Varieties

The amendment involves the introduction of the ‘Gleva’ variety to replace the ‘Sénia’ variety.

‘Sénia’ was withdrawn because the seeds for this variety are not produced commercially, and the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs has replaced ‘Sénia’ with ‘Gleva’ as a control variety.

‘Gleva’ is a local variety and is better suited to the area’s climate and soil conditions than ‘Sénia’.

‘Gleva’ has a shorter stalk, which makes it more resistant to flattening.

Its cycle is shorter, meaning that it is a more sustainable variety in terms of water saving.

It is more resistant to cryptogamic diseases, meaning less use of fungicides, which makes it more sustainable for the environment.

It has been well suited to the programme of agri-environmental measures. Greater resistance to attack from Chilo Suppresalis has resulted in the reduction of spray treatments.

‘Gleva’, the variety that is being introduced, maintains the balance between the agronomic model and the respect for and preservation of the Ebro Delta Natural Park.

‘Gleva’ is a variety that can be described as being close to ‘Bahía’ rice since they share characteristics in terms of the grain processed (medium grain and pearl) and are similar with regard to certain organoleptic characteristics and cooking.

3.1.2.   Classification of the grains processed

The classification of the uncooked, unprocessed grains has been changed to ensure compliance with the CMO rules in force.

3.2.   Method of production:

3.2.1.   Growing conditions

Some of the growing techniques and/or tasks have been modified. In view of the developments in working techniques, advances that enable a reduction in the amount of water used in growing have been incorporated. This is significant as regards reducing water consumption and being more respectful of the environment.

3.2.2.   Checks on the labelled product

Section E(b) of the specification has been expanded in respect of the checks on the labelled product pursuant to the explanation set out in Section 3.3 (Labelling).

3.3.   Labelling:

The requirement for the Regulatory Body to send numbered secondary labels with the PDO logo and the EU logo has been deleted from point (h) in the section on labelling in the specification, since other inspection systems now exist to check the product through traceability of production. Packers inform the Regulatory Body as to the numbering of the packages and quantities (kilograms) packaged with the EU logo and those of the designation.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ARROZ DEL DELTA DEL EBRO’/‘ARRÒS DEL DELTA DE L’EBRE’

EC No: ES-PDO-0105-0336-04.10.2011

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Designation:

‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’/‘Arròs del Delta de l'Ebre’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

Class 1.6.

Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed — Rice

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in point 1 applies:

White rice, of the commercial category ‘Extra’, belonging to the ‘Bahía’, ‘Tebre’, ‘Gleva’, ‘Fonsa’, ‘Bomba’ and ‘Montsianell’ varieties of the species Oryza sativa, L.

The specific characteristics of the grain of the principal variety of rice (‘Bahía’) are as follows:

Characteristics of the uncooked, processed grain	Length 5,53 mm Width 2,99 mm Thickness 2,14 mm Amylose (% of dry matter) 19,41 %
Milling characteristics:	Total yield 69,90 %
behaviour of the rice during processing	% of broken grains 11,63 %
Cooking characteristics of the grain	Cooking time 16 minutes Absorption of water (2) 1,93 Increase in length of grain 8,45 %
Organoleptic characteristics of the grain after cooking (on the Batcher scale and on the basis of a tasting (3))	Adhesion of grains 7,83 Acceptability 5,75 Visual aspect 5,5

The ‘Bahía’, ‘Tebre’, ‘Fonsa’, ‘Montsianell’ and ‘Gleva’ varieties share very similar characteristics and although slight differences may exist at the growing stage, there are no significant differences as regards the final product.

‘Bomba’ differs from the other varieties with regard to both how it is grown and the grain obtained. However, it is included in the specification on account of its quality and the tradition in the Ebro Delta area.

In accordance with the measurements of paddy rice, the varieties are classified as follows:

Variety	Length	Length/width ratio
‘Bahí’a	8,2 mm, medium	2,20 semi-spherical
‘Tebre’	8,1 mm, medium	2,00 spherical
‘Fonsa’	7,9 mm, medium	2,00 spherical
‘Bomba’	7,4 mm, short	1,85 spherical
‘Montsianell’	8,3 mm, medium	2,16 semi-spherical
‘Gleva’	7,9 mm, medium	2,04 semi-spherical

These varieties have a high starch concentration in the centre of the grain, known as pearl, that absorbs the flavours from the other ingredients accompanying the rice and colours the rice during the cooking.

The processed grain (white rice) is classified as follows:

Variety	Classification	Type
‘Bahía’	Medium grain	Pearl
‘Tebre’	Medium grain	Pearl
‘Fonsa’	Medium grain	Semi-pearl
‘Bomba’	Medium grain	Pearl
‘Montsianell’	Medium grain	Pearl
‘Gleva’	Medium grain	Pearl

All these varieties stand out for their uniform cooking characteristics and homogeneous grains and are ideal for the region’s rice-based cuisine since, unlike other types of rice such as long-grain rice, the grain absorbs flavour well.

At the time of dispatch, all of the varieties protected by the ‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’ PDO possess the characteristics typical of the ‘Extra’ category, and the grains must be healthy, free from fungus, rot, insects, parasites and strange smells and flavours.

Humidity must not exceed 15 %, and there should be no layers of pericarp left on the grain.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only):

—

3.5.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area:

The entire process from production to milling and cleaning of the rice is carried out in the geographic zone set out in Section 4.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:

The rice is packed in boxes or bags of 0,25 kg, 0,5 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg and 5 kg that are packed in other packaging to ensure there is no damage. Packages are always made of food contact materials permitted by law.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

Labels must bear the words ‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’ or ‘Arròs del Delta de l’Ebre’, the PDO and EU logos and any other information laid down in the relevant legislation.

Below is the PDO logo in colour:

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The production and processing area of the ‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’ PDO covers the Ebro Delta, which forms part of the districts of Baix Ebre and El Montsià in the province of Tarragona.

The production area is made up of land situated in the municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Jaume d’Enveja and, in the Ebro Delta, in the municipalities of L’Aldea, Amposta, L’Ampolla, Camarles and Sant Carles de la Ràpita.

Milling and cleaning of the rice will be carried out entirely in the municipalities in the production area.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

Historical

Rice is a traditional crop in the Ebro Delta, closely linked to the physical and geological formation and development of the Ebro Delta.

There are numerous written references confirming the link between traditional rice production and the area of the Ebro Delta. Principal among these is the ‘Geografía de Catalunya’ (‘Geography of Catalonia’) by Lluís Solé i Sabaris (1958), who writes that ‘there is evidence of attempts to grow rice in the Ebro Delta in the 15th century; however, rice production reached its height in the 19th century’. The same work also states that ‘… in the Delta, which was used for grazing transhumant livestock, the Canal de la Derecha, constructed in Xerta in the second half of the 19th century, permitted flooding with fresh water and the introduction of rice growing, which has increased continuously, desalting salt-affected land and at the same time producing a good crop…’.

This crop has been grown without interruption ever since and is the main crop produced in the area.

Natural

The development of rice production in the Ebro Delta has been influenced both by the characteristics of the climate and soil and by the land’s salinity and high water table.

The river loam soils in the Ebro Delta are very fertile and excellent for growing rice, the development of which is closely linked to irrigation and silting (the combined action of water and earth to suitably prepare the planting bed before sowing).

Production yields are the highest in the world, reflecting its location at latitude 40° north and 19 °C isotherm.

Another key factor is the salinity of the land, due to the seawater entering the Delta, and the Mediterranean marine climate. Winters are mild with little rainfall and dry N-NW winds (mistral and east wind), while summers are extremely hot, with humid S-SE winds (Migjorn and Garbí). There are few days without a light breeze.

The area’s hydrography is limited to the Ebro in the last section of some 30 km and to two channels (right and left) that emerge from the Xerta-Tivenys weir and run roughly parallel to the river. A major network of channels and irrigation ditches spreads out from the Delta. The fact that all irrigation waters come from the Ebro ensures that production in the area has uniform characteristics that differ from those of rice grown elsewhere.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

All of the varieties are identified by their uniformity in cooking, the homogeneity of the grain and high absorption capacity, due to the high starch content in the centre, or pearl, of the grain.

The rice is valued for its cooking properties, with grains that do not stick (adhesion of grains 7,3) and high water absorption (1,93 grams of water per gram of rice), ensuring a high uptake of flavours in the various dishes for which this rice is used.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI):

The product characteristics are uniform in terms of quality since all the varieties, with the exception of ‘Bomba’, share similar characteristics in respect of the final product. The variety is not the only cause of variation in final products: the geographical area, the environment, the climate, the water and the ripening process all have a strong influence and all these factors vary very little throughout the production area.

The features of the area’s natural environment influence the rice’s characteristics. The area’s climate and soil, the salinity and the high water table ensure that rice is the only crop grown within the defined area. The Delta rice paddies possess excellent qualities for growing, with high yields.

Rice from the area has a proven reputation among consumers for the pearled white colour, flavour and texture conferred by the characteristics of the varieties used and the production area. The rice is also valued for its cooking properties, with grains that do not stick and high water absorption ensuring a high uptake of flavours in the various dishes for which this rice is used.

Reference to the publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

The full text of the product specification is available on the Internet:

http://www.gencat.cat/daam/pliego-arroz-delta-ebro

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(1)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

(2)  (g, water/g, rice).

(3)  Scale: 9 = very good; 7 = good; 5 = standard; 3 = substandard.

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