Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2002/C 186/05)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the Member State concerned within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION: ARTICLE 5

PDO ( ) PGI (x)

National application No: 10/2000

1. Responsible department in the Member State Name: Ministero delle Politiche agricole e forestali

Address: Via XX Settembre, 20, I-00187 Roma

Tel. (39-06) 481 99 68

Fax (39-06) 42 01 31 26

E-mail: qualita@politicheagricole.it

2. Applicant group 2.1. Name: Coop.va Rinascita Scarl

2.2. Address: Via G. Cultrone, 90, I-97019 Vittoria (RG)

Tel. (39) 0932 99 76 11

2.3. Composition: producer/processor (x) other ( )

3. Type of product: Class 1.6 - Fruits, vegetables, cereals, whether or not processed - table grapes

4. Specification (Summary of requirements under Article 4(2)):

4.1. Name: Uva da tavola di Mazzarrone.

4.2. Description: Fresh fruit of the genus Vitis (L), of the following types:

- black grapes,

- red grapes,

- white grapes.

The main characteristics of Mazzarrone grapes are as follows:

- size of bunch: at least 350 g to 400 g,

- average weight of berry: at least 3 g for small-berry varieties and 5 g for large berry varieties,

- total soluble solids content: at least 13,00o Brix,

- characteristics of main central stalk of grape bunch: must present no browning or signs of powdery mildew of grapevine.

4.3. Geographical area: The geographical area where Mazzarrone table grapes are grown lies on either side of the border between the Provinces of Catania and Ragusa and comprises the municipalities of Caltagirone, Licodia Eubea and Mazzarrone in the Province of Catania and the municipalities of Acate, Chiaramonte Gulfi and Comiso in the Province of Ragusa. The area is outlined on a map (scale 1:25000).

4.4. Proof of origin: The geographical and socioeconomic centre of the area covered by the indication is the municipality of Mazzarrone. The origins of table-grape cultivation in the Mazzarrone area can be traced back far into the past: vineyards were referred to last century in deeds of sale around the turn of the last century. In his book "La civiltà della vite in Sicilia", Pastena states that table-grape production accounted for 5 % of the vine-growing output of the district of Caltagirone in the late 19th century. In the 1930s and 1940s, various varieties of table grapes were grown in the areas mentioned. In the 1950s, major innovations in grape-growing concerned both the range of varieties cultivated and the cultivation techniques, which, together with the land reforms carried out, contributed to the development of grape-growing throughout the district. At the same time, this district became much more specialised in grape-growing, in terms of both the use of innovative vine-training methods and the techniques used to advance or retard the ripening process. Traceability of the product is ensured by the requirement that producers of "uva da tavola di Mazzarrone" must have their vineyards entered in a special register set up, kept and updated by the inspection body. Producers are also required to declare an indicative date for the start of the harvest ten days before it actually begins and to file a definitive declaration of annual production.

4.5. Method of production: The vine-training technique used for growing Mazzarrone table grapes is the "tendone" method of overhead trellises; the "controspalliera" or free-standing espalier method is used in addition for the Cardinal cultivar. Between 1100 and 1600 vines are planted per hectare using the "tendone" method and between 1800 and 2500 vines per hectare in the case of free-standing espaliers. Of special importance in terms of cultivation techniques is the covering of the vines with plastic film, suitably fixed to the vineyard structure, with a view to bringing ripening forward to June or holding harvesting back until the end of December. Another important factor in terms of cultivation techniques is pruning, carried out in both winter and summer. Green pruning is carried out to supplement winter pruning with the objective of maintaining a balance between the vegetative and reproductive phases of the plant. Of great importance in improving production quality are operations affecting fruit setting, thinning out and positioning of bunches, etc. Maximum production may not exceed 35000 kg of grapes per hectare in the case of vineyards training by the "tendone" method and 20000 kg of grapes per hectare in the case of free-standing espaliers.

4.6. Link: The production of table grapes has been a significant factor in the economic development and the commercial activity of the whole district. A total of 67,7 % of the active population works in agriculture, which is almost exclusively dedicated to the production of table grapes. The production of Mazzarrone table grapes accounts for more than 90 % of local agricultural production. The climatic and soil conditions, which are peculiarly suited to growing table grapes, combined with the district's specialisation in this activity, gives the end product the quality, organoleptic and commercial characteristics that set it aside from table grapes from other areas. The soil, consisting of loose, rarely clayey, calcareous regosols of sandy rocks, is relatively fertile. The cultivation of Mazzarrone table grapes, in addition to being of economic importance as the main source of income for the area's population, is also of social and cultural significance, tracing its roots back to the last century. Over the years, it has developed and established itself as an essential and integral part of local life. The specialised nature of production and the characteristics, both organoleptic and commercial, of Mazzarrone table grapes have given the product a confirmed reputation on Italian markets.

4.7. Inspection body Name: Certiquality - Istituto di certificazione della qualità - Settore Certiagro

Address: Via G. Giardino, 4, I-20123 Milano.

4.8. Labelling: The words "Uva da tavola di Mazzarrone", followed immediately by the name of the variety, must be marked on the packaging, which must be closed in such a way as to prevent the contents from being removed, or alternatively on a label affixed directly to the bunches. Immediately thereafter the words "Indicazione Geografica Protetta" (PGI) must appear. The packaging must show the identifying logo, comprising an oval field enclosing the individual graphics within a blue line (the sea); within the oval field, a map of Sicily outlined in green; five yellow-filled circles outlined in yellow-gold, with a slightly larger sixth circle, also yellow-filled and outlined in yellow-gold, positioned on the right half of the outline of Sicily and low down within the oval field; in the upper centre, the dark-blue letters "IGP"; the words "uva da tavola di Mazzarrone" superimposed on the outline of Sicily and covering the lower and middle two thirds of the oval field.

4.9. National requirements: -

EC No: G/IT/00170/2000.11.17.

Date of receipt of the full application: 22 April 2002.