5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/1

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OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 14 November 2007

at the request of the Council of the European Union on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics

(CON/2007/35)

(2007/C 291/01)

Introduction and legal basis

On 8 November 2007, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Council of the European Union for an opinion on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics (1) (hereinafter the ‘proposed regulation’).

The ECB's competence to deliver an opinion is based on the first indent of Article 105(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the ECB, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.

1.   General observations

1.1

The ECB welcomes the proposed regulation as it acknowledges the existence of two parallel and complementary regimes for the production of European statistics and at the same time recognises the ESCB's independence in the pursuit of its statistical functions (recitals 7 and 8). The ECB also welcomes the reference, in recital 9, to the important advisory role played by the Committee on monetary, financial and balance of payments statistics (CMFB).

1.2

The ECB also notes with satisfaction that the proposed regulation recognises the need for close cooperation between the ESS and the ESCB in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics produced by both systems (Article 8). In this respect, the ECB notes that the requirement for the ESS and the ESCB to cooperate closely, as indicated in recital 6 of the proposed regulation, will operate within the primary law framework applicable to the ESCB under the Treaty. In particular Article 5 of the ESCB Statute provides that, in order to undertake the ESCB's tasks, the ECB, assisted by the national central banks, collects the necessary statistical information either from the competent national authorities or directly from economic agents, and that for these purposes it cooperates with the Community institutions or bodies and with the competent authorities of the Member States.

1.3

Furthermore, the ECB welcomes that Article 20(3) of the proposed regulation addresses the issue of the exchange of confidential data, for statistical purposes only, between the ESS and the ESCB. It is widely accepted that an enhanced exchange of confidential information between the ESS and the ESCB is increasingly necessary to ensure the quality and consistency of European statistics, while minimising the burden on respondents. This can be done by asking for the same data only once, and sharing them among the statistical authorities that need them while maintaining strict confidentiality provisions. However, the ECB is of the view that, contrary to what is currently stated in Article 20(3), such an exchange should not be made dependent on the enactment of further, sectoral legal acts that would need to explicitly authorise such exchanges of confidential statistical information. In order to ensure an efficient and effective exchange of the necessary statistical information, the legal framework should foresee that such a transmission can take place provided that it is necessary for the efficient development, production or dissemination of European statistics, following the example of Article 20(1) of the proposed regulation which regulates the exchange of confidential statistical information within the ESS.

1.4

The ECB underlines that it is important to obtain full legal access to all required existing data in order to reduce the burden on respondents. This is also referred to in Article 23 (Access to administrative records) of the proposed regulation. However, the ECB suggests that the legal framework needs to provide for the determination of practical arrangements and ‘modalities’ for achieving effective access, rather than the ‘limits and conditions’, as that suggests an unwarranted restriction of such access.

1.5

Article 253 of the Treaty provides that regulations adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the Council must refer to any opinions which were required to be obtained pursuant to the Treaty. The ECB would therefore suggest that the recitals to the proposed regulation have regard to this opinion of the ECB.

2.   Drafting proposals

Where the ECB's advice would lead to changes in the proposed regulation, drafting proposals are set out in the Annex.

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(1)  COM(2007) 625.

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5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/5

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 291/02)

Date of adoption of the decision	22.11.2006
Reference number of the aid	N 642/05
Member State	Sweden
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Ersättning till Posten AB för tillhandahållande av grundläggande betalningstjänster och kassaservice
Legal basis	Lag (2001:1276) om grundläggande kassaservice, Förordning (2005:882) om grundläggande kassaservice
Type of measure	Individual aid
Objective	SGEI (Services of general economic interest)
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Maximum SEK 800 million
Intensity	—
Duration	2 years (2006-2007)
Economic sectors	Banking
Name and address of the granting authority	Regeringskansliet, Näringsdepartementet Jakobsgatan 26 S-103 33 Stockholm
Other information	The Swedish authorities have undertaken to have the amount of compensation reviewed by an independent auditor on a yearly basis and, if necessary, to recover any overcompensation

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	4.4.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 564/06
Member State	Portugal
Region	Península de Setúbal
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Auxílio individual à About the Future — Empresa Produtora de Papel, SA
Legal basis	Decreto-Lei n.o 409/99 de 15 de Outubro — regulamenta a concessão de Benefícios Fiscais
Type of measure	Individual aid
Objective	Regional development
Form of aid	Tax advantage
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 37,95 million
Intensity	7 %
Duration	1.1.2006-31.12.2015
Economic sectors	Manufacturing industry
Name and address of the granting authority	API — Agência Portuguesa para o Investimento, EPE
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	9.10.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 317/07
Member State	Ireland
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Research, Development and Innovation Aid Scheme
Legal basis	The Industrial Development Acts 1986 and 1998, the Science & Technology Act 1987, the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979 (as amended) and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited Act, 1959 (as amended)
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Research and development
Form of aid	Direct grant, Soft loan
Budget	Annual budget: 2007: EUR 89 million, 2008: EUR 91 million, 2009: EUR 92 million, 2010: EUR 94,5 million, 2011: EUR 96 million, 2012: EUR 96,5 million, 2013: EUR 97 million; Overall budget: EUR 656 million
Intensity	80 %
Duration	15.9.2007-31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	IDA Ireland, Wilton Park House Wilton Place Dublin 2 Ireland
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	10.9.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 383/07
Member State	Denmark
Region	Denmark
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Støtte til integration af udenlandske arbejdstagere
Legal basis	Retsgrundlaget er følgende bestemmelser i integrationsloven: § 23 c (ansættelse med løntilskud), § 23 d (tilskud til mentorfunktion) og § 24 a, stk. 2 (tilskud til mentorfunktion til udlændinge, der er ansat uden løntilskud). De nævnte bestemmelser blev indsat i integrationsloven ved lov nr. 425 af 10. juni 2003 om ændring af integrationsloven og udlændingeloven. Bestemmelsen i § 23 c, stk. 3, er efterfølgende blevet ændret ved lov nr. 402 af 1. juni 2005.
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Training, Small and medium-sized enterprises
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Annual budget: EUR 0,568 million; Overall budget: EUR 3,615 million
Intensity	29 %
Duration	1.7.2007-31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	Ministeriet for Flygtninge, Indvandrere og Integration, Holbergsgade 6, DK-1057 København K
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	9.10.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 498/07
Member State	Belgium
Region	Vlaams Geweest
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds
Legal basis	Samenwerkingsakkoord tussen de Vlaamse Gemeenschap en het Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Culture
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Annual budget: EUR 11,9 million Overall budget: EUR 35,7 million
Intensity	50 %
Duration	1.1.2008-31.12.2010
Economic sectors	Recreational, cultural sporting activities
Name and address of the granting authority	De Vlaamse Gemeenschap Arenbergstraat 7 B-1000 Brussel
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

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5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/9

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Euro exchange rates (1)

4 December 2007

(2007/C 291/03)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,4741
JPY	Japanese yen	161,85
DKK	Danish krone	7,4569
GBP	Pound sterling	0,7149
SEK	Swedish krona	9,42
CHF	Swiss franc	1,648
ISK	Iceland króna	91,25
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,109
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5842
CZK	Czech koruna	26,29
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	253,45
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7004
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,6183
RON	Romanian leu	3,5569
SKK	Slovak koruna	33,315
TRY	Turkish lira	1,7505
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6843
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4815
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	11,4831
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,9334
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,1336
KRW	South Korean won	1 360,45
ZAR	South African rand	10,0785
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,9061
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,3317
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	13 698,81
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,9264
PHP	Philippine peso	62,015
RUB	Russian rouble	35,986
THB	Thai baht	45,134

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(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/10

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Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions

given at its 429th meeting of 9 July 2007 concerning a draft decision relating to Case COMP/E-2/39.140 — DaimlerChrysler

(2007/C 291/04)

1.

The members of the Advisory Committee agree with the Commission that in the light of the practices described in the draft decision, the agreements entered into between DaimlerChrysler and its authorised Mercedes-Benz service partners are liable to raise competition concerns on the motor vehicle aftermarkets.

2.	The members of the Advisory Committee agree with the Commission that the proceedings in this case can be concluded by means of a decision pursuant to Article 9(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 (1).

3.	The members of the Advisory Committee agree with the Commission that in the light of the commitments offered by DaimlerChrysler, there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003.

4.	The members of the Advisory Committee agree with the Commission that DaimlerChrysler should be bound by the commitments until 31 May 2010.

5.	The members of the Advisory Committee ask the Commission to take into account all the other points raised during the discussion.

6.	The members of the Advisory Committee recommend the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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(1)  OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.

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5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/11

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Final report of the Hearing Officer in Case COMP/E-2/39.140 — DaimlerChrysler

(Pursuant to Articles 15 and 16 of Commission Decision 2001/462/EC, ECSC of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings — OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21)

(2007/C 291/05)

The draft Decision presented to the Commission under Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 (1) relates to the supply of technical information for the repair of DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz and Smart brand vehicles.

The Commission opened an investigation into DaimlerChrysler AG's provision of its technical information to independent repairers on 22 December 2004, following the publication of a study by the German research institute IKA. On 1 December 2006, the Commission opened proceedings under Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 and adopted a preliminary assessment as referred to in Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003. This assessment set out the Commission's competition concerns, which were that DaimlerChrysler AG seemed to have excluded all but its authorised repairers from full access to its technical information. The Commission's preliminary assessment was sent to DaimlerChrysler AG on 1 December 2006.

In response to this, DaimlerChrysler AG submitted commitments on 14 February 2007.

On 22 March 2007, the Commission published a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, pursuant to Article 27(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, inviting interested companies to transmit observations on this notification within one month of its publication. The comments received in response to this invitation mainly confirmed the effectiveness of the commitments proposed by DaimlerChrysler AG.

The Commission has now come to the conclusion that, in view of the commitments proposed by DaimlerChrysler AG, and without prejudice to Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, there are no longer grounds for action.

In a Decision under Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, a breach of the competition rules is not established, but the Parties accept to remedy the concerns expressed by the Commission in a preliminary assessment. There is in this process a willingness on both sides to simplify the administrative and legal requirements which are inherent in a full investigation of a suspected infringement. This is the reason why in several Decisions taken already by the College (2), it has been accepted that due process is satisfied when the Parties inform the Commission that they have received sufficient access to the information they considered necessary to propose commitments in order to meet the concerns expressed by the Commission.

This case has also been dealt with in the same manner, DaimlerChrysler AG having submitted a Declaration to the Commission to this effect on 22 May 2007.

In the light of the above, I consider that the rights to be heard have been respected in this case.

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(1)  OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.

(2)  Cf. Decision of 22 June 2005 in Case COMP/39.116 — Coca-Cola and Decision of 19 January 2005 in Case COMP/37.214 — DFB.

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5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/12

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS — EACEA/34/07

Implementation of Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window in the academic year 2008-2009

The Community Action programme for the promotion of cooperation between higher education institutions and the exchange of students, researchers and academic staff from EU Member States and Third-Countries

(2007/C 291/06)

Please note that the implementation of the call for proposals is subject to:

(i)	the adoption of appropriations of the Community budget for 2008 relevant to this action; and

(ii)	the formal approval of the programming documents for the relevant actions and the relevant financing decisions.

1.   Objectives and description

The Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window aims at mutual enrichment and better understanding between the European Union and Third-Countries. It is designed to foster institutional co-operation in the field of higher education between the European Union and Third-countries through a mobility scheme addressing student and academic exchanges for the purpose of studying, teaching, training and research.

The following activities and costs will be covered by the programme:

the setting of institutional-based partnerships of European and Third-Country higher education institutions to cover both types of activities:

—	the organisation of individual mobility of higher education students, researchers and academic staff,

—	the implementation of individual mobility. The types of mobility and education to be funded under this call are: — students: undergraduate, master, doctorate and post-doctorate mobility opportunities, — academic staff: exchanging for the purposes of teaching, practical training and research.

2.   Eligible applicant and beneficiaries

Applicants must be Universities or European Higher Education Institutions representing a partnership up to 20 partners institutions.

The partnership composition has to be constituted of European Higher Education Institutions, in possession of an Erasmus Charter before the date of publication of the present Call, and Third-Country Higher Education Institutions recognised and accredited by the national authorities.

3.   Eligible country

Activities must take place in one of the eligible countries covered by this Call. There are three groups of eligible countries/regions:

—	the 27 member States of the European Union,

—	European Candidate countries (Croatia and Turkey) and EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway),

—	the following Third-countries and geographical regions: Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Russia, India, Southern and Eastern neighbouring area, Middle East region, Central Asian Republics, African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Western Balkans region and Asia region.

4.   Budget available

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 100,348 million for the following geographical regions and countries:

Geographical windows	Indicative Global Amount
South Mediterranean and Eastern Europe and Russia	EUR 33,528 million
Yemen Iran Iraq	EUR 3 million
Central Asian Republics	EUR 5 million
African Caribbean Pacific States	EUR 5 million
Western Balkans	EUR 6 million
Asia Regional	EUR 20 million
India	EUR 9,6 millions
Brazil	EUR 9,3 million
Chile	EUR 4,92 million
Mexico	EUR 4 million

5.   Deadlines

Applications must be sent no later than:

—	15 February 2008

6.   Further information

The full text of the call for proposals and the application forms are available on the following website:

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/call/index.htm

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text and be submitted using the form provided.

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5.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 291/14

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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

(2007/C 291/07)

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 from the date of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Amendment application pursuant to Article 9 and Article 17(2)

‘ROCAMADOUR’

EC No: FR/PDO/105/0026/29.11.2004

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

Amendments(s) requested

1.   Heading(s) in the specification

—		Name of product
—		Description of product
—		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 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.   Amendments

The general aim of the requested amendments is to set out all the details needed to consolidate the conditions governing the production of milk and the product itself.

These amendments serve to strengthen the link between the product and its geographical area, to provide greater protection of the product's characteristics and to ensure compliance with the rules.

Method of production

Addition to the fourth paragraph ‘This restriction applies only to hormone-based treatment methods, in all forms. Other methods used to stagger birthing are not affected.’

It is specified that the restriction (maximum proportion of goats in the herd that are out-of-season) only applies to artificially staggered births using hormone-based treatments. This is to confirm that other methods used, in particular light-based treatment or naturally staggered births, are not affected by this restriction.

In the 5th paragraph, replace: ‘in each farm, the surface area of pastures actually used in the geographical area must be at least equal to 1 000 m2 per dairy goat’, with ‘in each farm the grazing density must not exceed 10 goats per hectare in the geographic area as defined above, including pasture land, tracks and areas under cereal crops to feed the goats.’

The aim is, when calculating density per hectare, to take account of only the area actually used for or by the goat herd. Moreover the new version better reflects the terms commonly used by goat farmers.

New paragraph: ‘Spreading organic agricultural and non-agricultural waste is authorised subject to certain conditions.’

The aim is to properly set out the conditions under which muck spreading is authorised so as to ensure compliance and to preserve the environment and the quality of pastures and crops used to feed the herd.

New paragraph: ‘The use of fermented fodder to feed goats is prohibited as of 1 January 2010. This ban applies immediately to new farms.’

The use of silage is prohibited in order to preserve the product's characteristics. However this provision requires a substantial change both in the structure of farms and in farm management. For this reason, a time period in which farms can adjust to meet the new rules is requested. This time period is not requested for new farms to avoid encouraging young farmers to set up structures that are due for rapid change, thus undermining their chances of success.

New paragraph: ‘In exceptional circumstances, in particular due to adverse weather conditions, the INAO may grant temporary derogations from the rules on feeding goats.’

The aim of this provision is to allow animals to be adequately fed under these circumstances.

New paragraphs:

‘The milk may not be concentrated by partially removing the watery part before coagulation.’

‘In addition to the dairy raw materials, the only ingredients or production aids or additives authorised in the milk during production are rennet, innocuous bacterial cultures, yeasts, moulds and salt.’

‘Fresh cheese may not be conserved by keeping it at below zero centigrade or under a modified atmosphere.’

‘Cheese undergoing the maturing process may not be conserved under a modified atmosphere’.

The use of treatments and additives to make cheese is subject to a set of general rules. Some new techniques, including the use of treatments and additives, such as microfiltration, partial concentration of milk or enzymes for the maturing process, have a potential impact on the characteristics of cheeses with designations of origin. Certain enzyme additives in particular appear to be incompatible with maintaining the key characteristics of products with designations of origin.

It therefore became necessary to stipulate in points 4-5 of the specification of each product with a designation of origin the current practices regarding the use of treatments and additives for milk and cheese production to prevent future practices not covered by the rules from undermining the characteristics of cheeses with designations of origin.

In addition, the binding and processing stages are specified in order to better preserve the product's characteristics.

In the 15th and 16th paragraphs, replace: ‘for producers collecting chilled milk, coagulation is carried out as soon as the milk is delivered’ with ‘for producers collecting chilled milk […] the milk is cultured upon delivery and coagulation is carried out within a maximum of eight hours of the culture being added. For dairy farms that produce their own milk, this is carried out […] within a maximum of six hours of the last milking.’

For technical reasons, chilled milk must be matured before coagulation. Therefore time must be allowed between delivery of milk and coagulation.

New paragraph: ‘For farm producers that postpone milking, this milk must be cultured and must not be chilled at a temperature of < 10 °C.’

This means that milk from the first milking is matured for a long period, which allows the milk's characteristics to develop better.

In the 24th paragraph, replace: ‘between 28 % and 35 %’ with ‘when the cheese is placed in the moulds, the dry matter must be at least 31 %.’

The 28 % threshold is too low to produce ripened cheese that reaches the minimum content of dry matter. The 35 % threshold was deleted as it produces excessively dry cheese. In addition, it is redundant as it would not be profitable to mould cheese with this content of dry matter. Therefore only the adjusted minimum level is retained.

In the 27th paragraph, replace ‘cheese may not be marketed until the sixth day following the moulding’ with ‘The total ripening period must be at least six days starting on the day the cheese is removed from the mould.’

The set period before marketing is allowed is the time period needed for ripening the cheese. The aim of this amended provision is to emphasise the ripening period as a specific production requirement (at a specified temperature and humidity).

Labelling

New paragraphs:

‘However one label only may be affixed to batches of several cheeses presented in the same packaging and packaged on the production site, provided they are designed to be sold for end consumption in the self service section of mass retailers.’

‘In addition, for direct sales organised by producers or other persons under their direct responsibility, either at the farm or in markets, each sales unit of cheese must bear at least one label. The sales stand must also display a sign indicating the name of the producer and/or cheese maturer, the address of the production and/or maturing site, the product name and the indication “appellation d'origine contrôlée”.’

This is a practical amendment to the rule of one label per cheese to take into account the type of marketing, whilst fully protecting product identification.

Delete: The wordings ‘farm cheese’ and ‘farm produced’ and any other wording indicating that the cheese is of farm origin are reserved for cheese produced by farmers using traditional techniques only, from using only milk produced on the farm, to ripening the cheese on the farm or in the geographic area.

These wordings are now governed by the general rules on cheese and are therefore redundant.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ROCAMADOUR’

EC No: FR/PDO/105/0026/29.11.2004

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary sets out the main points of the product specification for information purposes.

1.   Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:	Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO)
Address:	51, rue d'Anjou F-75008 Paris
Tel.	(33) 153 89 80 00
Fax	(33) 153 89 80 60
E-mail:	info@inao.gouv.fr

2.   Group:

Name:	Syndicat des Producteurs de fromages Rocamadour
Address:	Maison de l'Agriculture du Lot 430, Avenue Jean Jaurès — BP 199 F-46004 Cahors Cedex
Tel.	(33) 565 23 22 21
Fax	(33) 565 23 22 19
E-mail:	—
Composition:	Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3.   Type of product:

Class 1.3: Cheese

4.   Specifications:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

4.1.   Name: ‘Rocamadour’

4.2.   Description: This is a small goats cheese made of raw, whole goat's milk. It is very soft, with a natural rind made up of an integral, ridged and slightly velvety skin, from white, cream to dark beige in colour and in the form of a small, flat cylinder weighing about 35 g. It contains a minimum level of 45 g of fat per 100 g of cheese after total desiccation and the dry matter weighs no less than 14 g per cheese.

4.3.   Geographical area: The geographical area covers the zone known as ‘Causses’ at the heart of the Department of Lot, part of which is in the geographical area along with parts of the Departments of Aveyron, Corrèze, Dordogne, Tarn and Garonne.

Department of Aveyron

—	Canton of Capdenac-Gare: the municipalities of Balaguier-d'Olt, Causse-et-Diège and Foissac,

—	Canton of Villeneuve: the municipalities of Ambeyrac, La Capelle-Balaguier, Montsalès, Ols-et-Rinhodes, Saujac, Sainte-Croix, Salvagnac-Cajarc and Villeneuve,

—	Canton of Villefranche-de-Rouergue: the municipality of Martiel.

Department of Corrèze

—	Canton de Larche: the municipalities of Chartrier-Ferrière and Chasteaux,

—	Canton of Brive-la-Gaillarde-Sud-Ouest: the municipalities of Estivals and Nespouls,

—	Canton of Meyssac: municipality of Turenne.

Department of Dordogne

—	Canton of Carlux: the municipalities of Cazoulès, Peyrillac-et-Millac and Orliaguet,

—	Canton of Montignac: the municipality of Saint-Amand-de-Coly,

—	Canton of Salignac-Eyvigues: the municipalities of Archignac, Borrèze, Jayac, Nadaillac, Paulin and Salignac-Eyvigues,

—	Canton of Terrasson-la-Villedieu: the municipalities of La Cassagne, Chavagnac and La Dornac.

Department of Lot

—	Canton of Bretenoux: the municipalities of Gintrac, Prudhomat and Saint-Michel-Loubéjou,

—	Canton of Cahors Nord-Ouest: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Cahors Nord-Est: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Cahors Sud: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Cajarc: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Castelnau-Montratier: municipalities of Cézac, Lhospitalet and Pern,

—	Canton of Catus: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Cazals: the municipalities of Arques and Gindou,

—	Canton of Figeac-Ouest: the municipalities of Béduer and Faycelles,

—	Canton of Gourdon: municipalities of Anglars-Nozac, Gourdon, Rouffilhac, Saint-Cirq-Souillaguet, Saint-Clair, Saint-Projet and Le Vigan,

—	Canton of Gramat: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Labastide-Murat: all municipalities,

—

Canton of Lacapelle-Marival: the municipalities of Albiac, Anglars (only the part of the municipality located west of the line formed by departmental road No 940 and the Lascurades stream), Aynac, Le Bourg (only the part of the municipality located west of the line formed by national road No 140 and departmental road No 940), Issendolus, Lacapelle-Marival (only the part of the municipality located west of the line formed by departmental roads Nos 940 and 218), Rudelle, Rueyres, Thémines and Théminettes,

—	Canton of Lalbenque: the municipalities of Aujols, Bach, Belmont-Sainte-Foi, Cieurac, Cremps, Escamps, Flaujac-Poujols, Laburgade, Lalbenque and Vaylats,

—	Canton of Lauzès: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Limogne-en-Quercy: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Livernon: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Luzech: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Martel: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Montcuq: the municipalities of Bagat-en-Quercy, Belmontet, Le Boulvé, Fargues, Lascasbanes, Saint-Matré, Saint-Pantaléon and Saux,

—	Canton of Payrac: the municipalities of Calès, Fajoles, Lamothe-Fénelon, Loupiac, Nadaillac-de-Rouge, Payrac, Reilhaguet and le Roc,

—	Canton of Puy-L'Evêque: the municipalities Floressas, Grézels, Lacapelle-Cabanac, Mauroux, Sérignac and Touzac,

—	Canton of Saint-Céré: the municipalities of Autoire, Loubressac, Mayrinhac-Lentour, Saignes, Saint-Jean-Lagineste, Saint-Jean-Lespinasse and Saint-Médard-de-Presque,

—	Canton of Saint-Germain-du-Bel-Air: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Saint-Géry: all municipalities,

—	Canton of Salviac: the municipalities of Dégagnac, Lavercantière, Rampoux, Salviac and Thédirac,

—	Canton of Souillac: all municipalities,

—	Canton de Vayrac: the municipalities of Carennac, Condat, Les Quatre-Routes and Strenquels.

Department of Tarn-et-Garonne

—	Canton of Caylus: the municipalities of Caylus, Lacapelle-Livron, Loze and Saint-Projet.

4.4.   Proof of origin: Each operator must compile a ‘statement of suitability’ registered with the Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) which allows the INAO to identify all operators involved. All operators must keep their registers and any other documents required for checking the origin, quality and production conditions of the milk and cheese at the INAO's disposal.

As part of the checks carried out on the specified features of the designation of origin, an analytical and organoleptic test is conducted to ensure that the products submitted for examination are of high quality and possess the requisite typical characteristics.

4.5.   Method of production: The milk must be produced, and the cheese must be manufactured and matured in the geographical area. Since it is a soft cheese that coagulates slowly, the curdling process must last for at least 20 hours at a minimum temperature of 18 °C and the cheese must be pre-drained for at least 12 hours. Salting is carried out in the mass. The drained and salted curd is then placed in moulds and the cheeses are ripened for at least six days starting from the day they are removed from the moulds.

The milk is obtained from Alpine or Saanen breeds of goats only, or a cross of these two breeds.

The total daily ration must comprise at least 80 % of fodder produced in the geographical area.

The specification stipulates the conditions for producing the milk (herd management, feeding, etc.) and for cheese production.

The use of fermented fodder to feed goats is prohibited as of 1 January 2010. This ban applies immediately to new farms.

4.6.   Link: An old lease document dated 1451 drawn up between the regional overlord and his vassals (during the period of the Bishop of Evreux) refers to Rocamadour cheese. More recently, in 1913 President POINCARRÉ had the pleasure of tasting it at a dinner in Cahors organised in his honour by the General Council. Poets and gastronomes have written about Rocamadour, and the diocesan archivist and correspondent for the Ministry of Public Education, in his work entitled ‘Le Vieux Quercy’, wrote in 1929 that ‘the Causse area in Rocamadour is home to a unique and tasty cheese, the like of which cannot be found elsewhere’.

From the 15th century onwards, historical documents, especially the afore-mentioned lease document, indicate that ‘the value and reputation of Rocamadour cheese stem from the aromatic plants grazed by dairy animals and of the methods used to produce the cheese’.

This remains true today. The Causse area in Quercy, characterised by calcareous and dry land, is a distinct area on account of its specific geology, climate and vegetation. The combination of a unique environment and genuine expertise that has developed over centuries has culminated in a distinctive and tasty product, Rocamadour cheese.

4.7.   Inspection body:

Name:	Institut national des Appellations d'Origine (INAO)
Address:	51, rue d'Anjou F-75008 Paris
Tel.	(33) 153 89 80 00
Fax	(33) 153 89 80 60
E-mail:	info@inao.gouv.fr

The Institut National des Appellations d'Origine is a public administrative body with legal personality and reports to the Ministry of Agriculture.

INAO is responsible for monitoring the production conditions for products with a designation of origin.

Failure to comply with the defined geographical production area or any of the production conditions results in forfeiting the right to use the designation of origin in any form or for any purpose.

Name:	Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (DGCCRF)
Address:	59, Boulevard Vincent Auriol F-75703 Paris Cedex 13
Tel.	(33) 144 87 17 17
Fax	(33) 144 97 30 37
E-mail:	C3@dgccrf.finances.gouv.fr

The DGCCRF is a department of the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry.

4.8.   Labelling: Rocamadour cheese cannot be marketed or sent for marketing unless it bears a label of at least 4 cm in diameter bearing the name ‘ROCAMADOUR’ and the wording ‘Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée’.

However one label only may be affixed to batches of several cheeses presented in the same packaging and packaged on the production site, provided they are designed to be sold for end consumption in the self service section of mass retailers.

In addition, for direct sales organised by producers or other persons under their direct responsibility, either at the farm or in markets, each sales unit of cheese must bear at least one label. The sales stand must display a sign indicating the name of the producer and/or cheese maturer, the address of the production and/or maturing site, the product name and the indication ‘appellation d'origine contrôlée’.

In addition, the product must bear the INAO logo and acronym.

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(1)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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