This communication is published in accordance with Article 6b(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN OR PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION ORIGINATING IN A MEMBER STATE

(Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012)

‘Ciliegia di Vignola’

EU No: PGI-IT-0858-AM01 – 31.7.2023

PDO( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name of product

‘Ciliegia di Vignola’

2.   Member State to which the geographical area belongs

Italy

3.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry

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4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

1.   Removal of the option to use other cultivars subject only to the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry

The following provision has been deleted from Article 2 of the product specification and point 3.2 of the single document:

For the production of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’, it is permitted to use other cherry cultivars derived from varietal research provided that it is demonstrated by means of experimental and documentary evidence that the method of production and the qualitative characteristics of the fruit are consistent with this product specification. The use of such cultivars for the production of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ must be notified in advance to and be evaluated by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, which may to that end request the technical opinion of the inspection body or another body.

This provision has been deleted in response to criticism from the Commission, which has asked for it to be removed from other specifications for fruit and vegetables.

This amendment affects the single document.

2.   Introduction of provisions concerning cherries intended for processing

The following provision has been added to point 3.2 of the single document and Article 2 of the specification:

Product intended for processing

Only if the fruit is intended for processing may it:

—	be damaged (e.g. cracking or hail damage that has healed over and dried, with no signs of rot);

—	be lacking a stalk;

—	have a minimum size of 15 mm.

The other characteristics laid down in the product specification are unaffected.

Such fruit may be referred to as ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ PGI, but must not be sold as such to the end consumer.

The amendment is necessary because cherries damaged by rain or hail, where the damage has healed and dried and there are no signs of rot, cannot be marketed as fresh but do not present any problems for processing.

Cherries without stalks are not suitable for sale as fresh but can be used for processed products.

The minimum size of the product intended for processing has been reduced as there may be years in which high yields do not produce cherries of a size which is suitable to be sold as fresh. However, these cherries can be processed because they have the same quality characteristics as larger ones.

This amendment affects the single document.

3.   Eligibility of cherries without stalks only for the product intended for processing

The following provision has been added to the last paragraph of Article 5 of the specification:

Cherries without stalks may be used only for the product intended for processing.

In line with the amendments made to point 3.2 of the single document and Article 2 of the specification, cherries intended for processing may be lacking a stalk.

The amendment does not affect the single document.

4.   Introduction of provisions concerning packaging of the product intended for processing

The following provision has been added to point 3.5 of the single document and Article 8 of the specification:

The product intended for processing may also be packaged in boxes weighing up to a maximum of 20 kg and crates up to a maximum of 300 kg.

This amendment introduces the possibility of using more compact packaging for the product intended for processing as it is more suitable for this type of activity.

This amendment affects the single document.

5.   Introduction of provisions concerning labelling of the product intended for processing

The following provision has been added to point 3.6 of the single document and Article 8 of the specification:

The packaging of the product intended for processing must display the following wording in characters that are legible and visible on at least one side: ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ I.G.P. destinata alla trasformazione [‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ PGI intended processing].

This amendment introduces a specific provision on the labelling of the product intended for processing.

This amendment affects the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Ciliegia di Vignola’

EU No: PGI-IT-0858-AM01 – 31.7.2023

PDO( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

‘Ciliegia di Vignola’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product [as in Annex XI]

Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

For the production of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’, the following cultivars are used:

—	Early: Early Bigi and Lory, Bigarreau Moreau and Burlat, and Mora di Vignola;

—	Mid-season: Celeste, Giant Red - Primegiant, Carmen, Grace Star, Santina, Vera, Cristalina, Durone dell’Anella, Anellone, Giorgia, Durone Nero I, Samba, New Star, Black Star, Canada Giant and Van;

—	Late: Durone Nero II, Durone della Marca, Lapins, Ferrovia, SweetHeart, Regina and Summer Charm (Staccato).

‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ must have the following quality characteristics:

consistent and crunchy pulp, with the exception of the Mora di Vignola;

the skin must always be shiny; the Durone della Marca variety is yellow and bright red; the colour of the other varieties ranges from bright red to dark red;

sweet and fruity;

at least 10 degrees Brix for the early varieties and 12 degrees for all the others;

minimum acidity not less than 5 g/l of malic acid.

The minimum sizes of the various varietal types are as follows: 20 mm: Mora di Vignola;

21 mm: Durone dell’Anella, Giorgia, Durone Nero II, Durone della Marca and Sweet Heart;

22 mm: Bigarreau Moreau and Burlat, Lapins, Van, Early Bigi and Lory, Celeste, Giant Red – Primegiant, Carmen, Grace Star, Santina, Vera, Cristalina, New Star, Black Star, Canada Giant, Regina and Summer Charm (Staccato);

23 mm: Durone Nero I, Anellone, Samba and Ferrovia.

When they are released for consumption, the fruit must be: whole and undamaged;

with stalks attached;

clean, free of any visible foreign matter;

sound, free of rot and visible pesticide residues;

free of pests.

Product intended for processing. Only if the fruit is intended for processing may it: be damaged (e.g. cracking or hail damage that has healed over and dried, with no signs of rot); be lacking a stalk; have a minimum size of 15 mm. The other characteristics laid down in the product specification are unaffected. Such fruit may be referred to as ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ PGI, but must not be sold as such to the end consumer.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

All the stages of producing ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ up to the harvesting of the product must be carried out exclusively within the geographical area identified in point 4.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ PGI is released onto the market in packages sealed in such a way that the packaging cannot be reused once opened. These packages must be made from wood, cardboard, plastic or breathable polymeric film of a weight ranging from a minimum of 250 g to a maximum of 6 kg. Packaging must ensure conditions that guarantee that the fruit retains its properties and remains undamaged. It is also permitted to sell the product at the point of sale in portions from sealed packaging or crates provided that the product has been placed in specific compartments or containers prominently displaying the same information required for the packaging referred to in the product specification. The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only cherries of the same quality and variety; the following size categories apply: 20 to 24 mm; 24 to 28 mm; over 28 mm. ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ is prepared for packaging and packaged immediately after harvesting, directly on the farm or at the cooperatives in the production area. This allows the product to reach the market and the consumer quickly and without further handling.

Packaging of the product intended for processing.

The product intended for processing may also be packaged in boxes weighing up to a maximum of 20 kg and crates up to a maximum of 300 kg. The product may be kept in cold storage provided that the temperature does not drop below - 0,5 °C and the relative humidity does not exceed 90 %. The fruit may be kept in cold storage for a maximum of 4 weeks.

The packaging of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’, i.e. the proper preparation of the product for packaging and its placing in the appropriate packages, must be performed in the area of origin to guarantee the quality characteristics of the fruit, including its freshness and intactness, and to avoid repeated handling and transport operations damaging or bruising the epicarp, causing the product to rot and rendering it unfit for sale.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The logo of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ PGI is as follows:

This logo must appear on the packaging in which the product is sold, together with the EU symbol for protected geographical indications. The size of the logo may vary according to the packaging, but the proportions of the standard dimensions must be maintained. The wording ‘Emilia Romagna’ may appear on the packaging. The following must also be indicated: the producer’s name, business name, address and/or unique identification code assigned by the control body; the packager’s name, business name and address. Labelling of the product intended for processing. The packaging of the product intended for processing must display the following wording in characters that are legible and visible on at least one side: ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ I.G.P. destinata alla trasformazione [‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ PGI intended processing].

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ is a strip of land formed by the foothills along a stretch of the Panaro river and other smaller watercourses. The area is located between 30 and 950 metres above sea level and includes the territory of the following municipalities in the Provinces of Modena and Bologna: Province of Modena: Castelfranco Emilia, Castelnuovo Rangone, Castelvetro di Modena, Guiglia, Lama Mocogno, Marano sul Panaro, Modena, Montese, Pavullo nel Frignano, San Cesario sul Panaro, Savignano sul Panaro, Serramazzoni, Spilamberto, Vignola and Zocca. Province of Bologna: Bazzano, Casalecchio di Reno, Castel d’Aiano, Castello di Serravalle, Crespellano, Gaggio Montano, Marzabotto, Monte S. Pietro, Monteveglio, Sasso Marconi, Savigno, Vergato and Zola Predosa.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The production area is characterised by foothills along the Panaro river and other smaller watercourses, forming a strip of land which, for reasons of climate combined with specific soil characteristics, is especially conducive to cherry growing. The climate is cool and barely continental, with abundant spring rain and summers which are never too dry. The amount of sunlight exposure is not too high. The soils, of alluvial origin, are generally loose, well drained and fresh, and are rendered particularly fertile by the sediments transported during flooding by the Panaro river and other smaller watercourses. The production area of the cherries ranges from 30 to 950 metres above sea level. Cherries are not grown outside the defined geographical area; cherry growing in the adjacent areas was abandoned some time ago because the production levels and the quality of the product were much lower than those within the identified geographical area, making it economically unviable. Besides the specific soil and climatic conditions in the area and the special microclimate described above, other factors that contribute to the quality of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ are the knowledge and skills of the producers. These have been handed down from father to son over generations and consist in techniques relating to crop production, harvesting and packaging of the product, carried out exclusively by hand. This makes it possible to offer consumers a product with excellent commercial properties. The size of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ cherries is bigger than that laid down in marketing standards and can exceed 28 mm. As a result, as shown in market surveys and studies carried out by specialised companies at markets in Turin, Milan and Hamburg, the price of the ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ is almost always higher than that of its direct competitors, and most consumers recognise the name Vignola as that of the cherry-growing area par excellence. The cherry tree is a species that favours cool locations and neutral or subacidic soils. As both of these conditions are met in the production area of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’, the species has had an ideal environment to spread and establish itself. The characteristics of the soils in the geographical area where ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ is produced are such that the cherry tree has thrived there. The amount of exposure to sunlight, which is not too high, helps give the fruit its intense colour and contributes to its natural shine, allowing an aesthetically outstanding product to be placed on the market without the need for any particular treatment. An equally important factor is the professionalism of the operators, particularly the producers, who, in their production, harvesting and packaging techniques, apply a wealth of knowledge that has been built up over time. In fact, although there is a natural tendency towards innovation in the production process, harvesting, sorting and packaging are carried out strictly by hand by expert staff who have ‘lifelong’ experience of the cherry tree. This professionalism is bound up with the local culture and derives directly from tradition. It is know-how that has been passed down from one generation to the next and that today adds something extra to an already exceptional product, setting the cherries produced in Vignola apart from those produced elsewhere. These same producers decided decades ago, through binding mutual commitments, to package only cherries of the minimum size mentioned in point 3.2 in order to protect local production and highlight the uniqueness of the cherries grown and packaged in the area of origin. Moreover, the range of varieties which has become established in the geographical area over time, and the development whereby growing takes place at many different altitudes, enable a longer harvesting period and ensure the product is on the market for the whole production season, which pleases consumers and has a positive impact on prices. ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ is, therefore, unequivocally linked to the geographical area, the specific soil and climatic conditions, the exceptional microclimate, and the knowledge and skills of the producers. Equally important is the fact that farmers in the identified geographical area concentrated the supply of cherries in Vignola, where one of the oldest fruit and vegetable markets in Italy has been operating since 1928, later followed by other processing and marketing structures. All of these factors together have led to consumers identifying local production with the name ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’. The establishment of the ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ name on the market has led to the development of related commercial activities and has had a major impact on the whole sector, from the production to the marketing of the fruit. In fact, the area has seen the development of farms, processing/marketing cooperatives, and a fruit and vegetable market with four commission agents, craftsmen, packaging manufacturers, transporters and pickers. The importance of ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ for the area that has historically produced it has been demonstrated over the years by numerous fairs, festivals and publications. Of particular importance for Vignola is the ‘Festa dei Ciliegi in Fiore’ (cherry blossom festival), first held in April 1970, and the ‘Vignola, è tempo di Ciliegie’ (Vignola: it’s time for cherries) festival, organised since 1989. Every year, the national ‘Città delle Ciliegie’ (cherry city) association, founded in June 2003, opens the nationwide ‘Ciliegie d’Italia’ (Italian cherries) competition at the national ‘Città delle Ciliegie’ festival, which is organised in a different town each year. Cherries from Vignola won the first prize in 2005 at Celleno (VT), in 2006 at Orvieto (TR) and in 2009 at Bracigliano (SA), thereby confirming the reputation for high quality that ‘Ciliegia di Vignola’ has acquired over time.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/files/c/8/a/D.bde9a47ffcc786339b65/Disciplinare_Ciliegia_di_Vignola_13.6.2015.pdf

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(1)   OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.