Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
(2023/C 158/06)
This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
‘Ciliegia di Lari’
EU No: PGI-IT-02855 - 30.6.2022
PDO ( ) PGI (X)
1. Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]
‘Ciliegia di Lari’
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
The Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ refers to the fruit of the sweet cherry Prunus avium L, of the Rosaceae family. It covers a wide range of varieties, from the delicately fleshed to the firm and crunchy, with shiny skins ranging from bright to dark red in colour. There are also assorted local varieties, which broaden the range available to consumers and offer further qualities. The varieties are:
Adriana, Big star, Bigarreau Moreau, Bigarreau Burlat, Bigarreau Napoleon, Black star, Celeste, Durone di Vignola, Early bigi, Early Korvik, Early star, Folfer, Ferrovia, Giorgia, Grace star, Isabella, Kordia, Kossara, Lala star, Lapins, Lory strong, New star, Prime Giant, Regina, Rita, Rocket, Sabrina, Samba, Sandra, Sylvia, SMS 280, Stella, Summer charm, Sunburst, Sweet Early, Sweet Heart, Van, Vera, Frisco, Royal Helen, Red Pacific, Nimba, Marysa, Durone giallo, Bella di Pistoia and Durone nero I.
Local and traditional cultivars: Crognolo, Cuore, Del Paretaio, Di Giardino, Di Nello, Di Guglielmo, Gambolungo, Marchiana, Morella, Papalina, Orlando, Precoce di Cevoli, Siso and Usigliano.
When made available for consumption, the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ must have the following characteristics:
Quality characteristics
naturally sweet and fruity flavour
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stalks attached to the fruit |
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degrees Brix not less than 14 °. |
Size
Fruit intended to be eaten fresh must be a minimum of 22 mm in size, with the exception of fruit of local or traditional varieties, for which the minimum size is 13 mm.
Health-related and aesthetic characteristics of the fruit
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whole and undamaged |
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clean, free of any visible foreign matter |
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healthy, free of mould and visible residues of plant-health products |
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free of pests. |
3.3. Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)
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3.4. Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area
‘Ciliegia di Lari’ must be grown in the area defined in point 4.
3.5. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to
‘Ciliegia di Lari’ can be made available for consumption in packaging sealed in such a way that, once opened, it cannot be re-used.
Cherries intended for processing, which cannot be made available to the end consumer as fresh fruit, can be sold in bulk.
3.6. Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to
All packaging must bear the following indications:
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a) |
CILIEGA DI LARI PGI |
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b) |
‘Ciliegia di Lari’ logo, described below |
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c) |
The European PGI logo in the same field of vision as the logo referred to above, point (b); |
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d) |
(business) name and address of the packer. |
The use of indications referring to companies, names, business names, private trademarks and consortia is also permitted, provided they have no laudatory purport and are not likely to mislead the purchaser or consumer.
In the case of cherries intended for processing, in addition to the information legally required, at least one side of the packaging or container must bear the words ‘Ciliegia di Lari PGI for processing’ in clearly legible characters. The ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ logo is as follows:
The size of the logo can vary according to the packaging, but the standard dimensions must remain in proportion.
4. Concise definition of the geographical area
The production area of the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ comprises the administrative territory of the following municipalities: Casciana Terme – Lari, Terricciola and Crespina-Lorenzana.
5. Link with the geographical area
The application for recognition of ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ is based on historical reputation, founded on the product’s quality. This is due to specific aspects of the geographical area which are beneficial to the cultivation of cherry trees. These include soil and climate, agricultural, social, cultural and economic factors. The interaction of these factors has established the reputation of the product as linked to the place, to the extent that it has become identified with the name of Lari.
The long history of the production of ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ has created a close relationship with consumers. They appreciate the particular distinctive quality: natural sweetness. At the point of sale, consumers accept that the price is higher than for cherries from elsewhere.
The demarcated geographical area referred to in point 4 has always been an area of significant cherry production, as shown by historical and recent studies and surveys (M. Basso , S. Natali,1959; A. Funghi, 2004; various authors, edited by R. Massai, 2013).
The production area of ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ is characterised by soils and climate conditions which are particularly suited to cultivating cherry trees. These factors directly influence the quality of the fruit, attributable to its natural sweetness (degrees Brix).
The soil textures together with temperature and rainfall patterns are the two factors that characterise the production area of ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ and are capable of influencing the quality of the fruit: sweetness expressed in degrees Brix.
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The physical characteristics of the area’s agricultural soils, being composed of sand, silt and clay, thanks to the water resources they are typically able to store, allow growers to have trees with well-balanced development throughout all three phenological stages: flowering, fruit set and ripening. These stages are crucial for producing fruit with optimal sugar concentration (degrees Brix). |
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The temperature and rainfall patterns of the production area are characterised by numerous factors which are beneficial in producing naturally sweet cherries, with no accompanying negative factors. The area is not especially affected by late frosts, which could inhibit flowering. The mild spring temperatures are accompanied by moderate rainfall, guaranteeing optimal flowering and fruit set. Similarly, the infrequent rainfall during the final stage of ripening limits any problems of cherries splitting. |
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The cherry growing experience built up by the area’s farmers over a long time has enabled them to draw the maximum benefit from matching the natural characteristics of the land with the potential of the different varieties - the essential combination for producing quality fruit. |
The range of varieties permitted for ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ is broad and this is a result of the well-balanced way that producers have brought together the ability to adapt to the environment and the achievement of customer satisfaction, in other words: the sound and successful synergy between the cherries, the environment and the human resources.
The range of varieties runs from fruit with rather soft flesh to firm-fleshed fruit with ‘bite’, with skins ranging in colour from bright red to dark red. The range is further characterised by the inclusion of different local varieties that add to the choice available to consumers and offer further qualities (Roselli G., Mariotti P., Il germoplasma del ciliegio [The germplasm of the cherry tree] — 1. Provincia di Pisa, ARSIA e CNR Istituto sulla Propagazione delle Specie Legnose, Firenze, 1999).
‘Ciliegia di Lari’ in the media
Publications that mention ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ include: L'Italia del biologico [Organic Italy], 2002, page 86, Guida Touring Club italiano; Elena Tedeschi, Toscana inconsueta. Appunti ed itinerari per viaggiare oltre [Lesser-known Tuscany, notes and itineraries for journeys off the beaten track], 2017, goWare;
Frutta e Ortaggi in Italia [Fresh fruits and vegetables], 2005, Guida Touring Club italiano.
Reputation in the past and present. The newsreel distributed nationally in cinemas — La settimana INCOM, No 01925, ‘Italy, Lari (Pisa): the fourth cherry festival’, 26 May 1960, made by the INCOM film company, subsequently acquired by the Instituto Luce. The episode shows how the name ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ has been part of everyday speech and commercial parlance since then.
Still today, cherry production in the demarcated area is synonymous with goodness and sweetness. Therefore, the fruit is also recognisable to consumers at sales points in large retail chains where the product is sold under the name ‘Ciliegia di Lari’.
All of these factors mean that consumers have identified, and continue to identify, the product of the demarcated area referred to in Article 3 above as ‘Ciliegia di Lari’.
Historical background
As various authors have stated, the growing of ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ has ancient roots in the hills of Pisa. The experience of local farmers, passed down from generation to generation and supported by ongoing research and the implementation of specific cultivation techniques, has paved the way for the cultivation of ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ to become successfully established over time, becoming part of the historical, traditional and cultural heritage of an area of which Lari is the chief conservation and development hub.
Historically, various documents highlight the centuries-old culture and tradition of growing cherries in the demarcated areas referred to in Article 3. From the 18th century onwards, in the market under the arcade of Lari, which was one of the largest and most prestigious in the province of Pisa right up to the 1950s, the cherry was the product of choice. They were highly appreciated by wholesalers and consumers, both for their delicious taste and because they ripened early, factors which gave an extra boost to production, as did the fact that these cherries commanded a good price. (Tremolanti E., ‘Profilo storico delle cultivar di ciliegio con particolare riguardo al territorio larigiano’ [Historical profile of cherry cultivars with special reference to the region of Lari], In Spunti di Natura economica: cenni di storia di cerealicoltura, panificazione, viticoltura e cultivar di ciliegio [Points of an economic nature: a brief history of cereal-growing, bread-making, viticulture and cherry cultivars] CLD Libri, Calcinaia (Pi), 2010).
In view of the economic and cultural importance of the cherry for Lari, thanks to the initiative of some local people, in 1957 the first ‘Cherry Festival’ was held in Lari. Without doubt, it is one of the oldest such events and the best known, attended by many hundreds of visitors. Since 1957, as many as 66 ‘Cherry Festivals of Lari’ have been held, continuing without interruption to the present day. As well as being featured in a range of publications, this continuity shows the economic and cultural importance of the ‘Ciliegia di Lari’ for the area which has historically produced it.
Appreciation of the product as an ingredient is also apparent in the recipes for desserts that appear on the internet, for example on the websites popcuisine.it and gazzettadelgusto.it. There are also recipes published in cookbooks, such as Il gelato a modo mio [My way with ice-cream], Simone Bonini, Giunti 2016.
Reference to publication of the product specification
The full text of the product specification is available on the following website:
http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335
or alternatively:
by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food, Forestry and Tourism Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’ (at the top right of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.