ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal
of the European Union
C 198
English edition
Information and Notices
Volume 51
5 August 2008
|
ISSN 1725-2423 |
||
|
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198 |
|
|
|
||
|
English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 51 |
|
Notice No |
Contents |
page |
|
|
II Information |
|
|
|
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
|
|
|
Commission |
|
|
2008/C 198/01 |
Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities |
|
|
2008/C 198/02 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5248 — Carlyle/De La Rue Cash Systems Business) ( 1 ) |
|
|
2008/C 198/03 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5147 — Santander/GE Money Bank GmbH/GE Money Oy/GE Capital Deutschland GmbH/GE Money Bank Limited) ( 1 ) |
|
|
2008/C 198/04 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5146 — GE/Interbanca) ( 1 ) |
|
|
|
IV Notices |
|
|
|
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
|
|
|
Commission |
|
|
2008/C 198/05 |
||
|
2008/C 198/06 |
||
|
|
NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
|
|
2008/C 198/07 |
Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid ( 1 ) |
|
|
|
V Announcements |
|
|
|
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY |
|
|
|
Commission |
|
|
2008/C 198/08 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5200 — Strabag/Kirchner) ( 1 ) |
|
|
2008/C 198/09 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5191 — Perstorp/LyondellBasell/Rhodia diisocyanates businesses) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
|
|
2008/C 198/10 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5270 — Parcom/Bakkersland) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
|
|
|
OTHER ACTS |
|
|
|
Commission |
|
|
2008/C 198/11 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Text with EEA relevance |
|
EN |
|
II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
Commission
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/1 |
Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities
(2008/C 198/01)
Pursuant to Article 9(1)(a), second indent, of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (1), the Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities (2) are amended as follows:
On page 397, the following text is inserted:
|
‘9506 62 10 and 9506 62 90 |
Inflatable These subheadings also include inflatable gymnastic balls intended for general physical exercise.’ |
(1) OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 360/2008 (OJ L 111, 23.4.2008, p. 9).
(2) OJ C 133, 30.5.2008, p. 1.
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/2 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case COMP/M.5248 — Carlyle/De La Rue Cash Systems Business)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/02)
On 28 July 2008, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:
|
— |
from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
|
— |
in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32008M5248. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/2 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case COMP/M.5147 — Santander/GE Money Bank GmbH/GE Money Oy/GE Capital Deutschland GmbH/GE Money Bank Limited)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/03)
On 28 July 2008, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:
|
— |
from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
|
— |
in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32008M5147. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/3 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case COMP/M.5146 — GE/Interbanca)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/04)
On 28 July 2008, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:
|
— |
from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
|
— |
in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32008M5146. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
Commission
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/4 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
4 August 2008
(2008/C 198/05)
1 euro=
|
|
Currency |
Exchange rate |
|
USD |
US dollar |
1,5566 |
|
JPY |
Japanese yen |
168,39 |
|
DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4605 |
|
GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,79165 |
|
SEK |
Swedish krona |
9,4560 |
|
CHF |
Swiss franc |
1,6346 |
|
ISK |
Iceland króna |
123,95 |
|
NOK |
Norwegian krone |
7,9995 |
|
BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
|
CZK |
Czech koruna |
23,994 |
|
EEK |
Estonian kroon |
15,6466 |
|
HUF |
Hungarian forint |
233,74 |
|
LTL |
Lithuanian litas |
3,4528 |
|
LVL |
Latvian lats |
0,7051 |
|
PLN |
Polish zloty |
3,2131 |
|
RON |
Romanian leu |
3,5076 |
|
SKK |
Slovak koruna |
30,385 |
|
TRY |
Turkish lira |
1,7935 |
|
AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,6697 |
|
CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,6035 |
|
HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
12,1480 |
|
NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
2,1317 |
|
SGD |
Singapore dollar |
2,1370 |
|
KRW |
South Korean won |
1 582,83 |
|
ZAR |
South African rand |
11,2142 |
|
CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
10,6650 |
|
HRK |
Croatian kuna |
7,2250 |
|
IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
14 144,82 |
|
MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
5,0870 |
|
PHP |
Philippine peso |
68,720 |
|
RUB |
Russian rouble |
36,4466 |
|
THB |
Thai baht |
52,193 |
|
BRL |
Brazilian real |
2,4325 |
|
MXN |
Mexican peso |
15,4720 |
Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/5 |
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
Rates for conversion of currencies pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 574/72
(2008/C 198/06)
Article 107(1), (2) and (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 574/72
Reference period: July 2008
Application period: October, November and December 2008
|
07-2008 |
EUR |
BGN |
CZK |
DKK |
EEK |
LVL |
LTL |
HUF |
PLN |
RON |
SKK |
SEK |
GBP |
NOK |
ISK |
CHF |
|
1 EUR = |
1 |
1,95580 |
23,5281 |
7,45989 |
15,6466 |
0,703491 |
3,45280 |
231,818 |
3,25908 |
3,57637 |
30,3185 |
9,45659 |
0,793076 |
8,04872 |
123,612 |
1,61926 |
|
1 BGN = |
0,511300 |
1 |
12,0299 |
3,81424 |
8,00010 |
0,359695 |
1,76542 |
118,528 |
1,66637 |
1,82860 |
15,5019 |
4,83515 |
0,405500 |
4,11531 |
63,2029 |
0,827925 |
|
1 CZK = |
0,0425023 |
0,0831260 |
1 |
0,317063 |
0,665017 |
0,0299000 |
0,146752 |
9,85279 |
0,138519 |
0,152004 |
1,28861 |
0,401927 |
0,0337076 |
0,342089 |
5,25380 |
0,0688221 |
|
1 DKK = |
0,134050 |
0,262175 |
3,15395 |
1 |
2,09743 |
0,0943032 |
0,462849 |
31,0752 |
0,436881 |
0,479413 |
4,06420 |
1,26766 |
0,106312 |
1,07893 |
16,5702 |
0,217062 |
|
1 EEK = |
0,0639116 |
0,124998 |
1,50372 |
0,476774 |
1 |
0,0449613 |
0,220674 |
14,8159 |
0,208293 |
0,228572 |
1,93771 |
0,604386 |
0,0506868 |
0,514407 |
7,90026 |
0,103489 |
|
1 LVL = |
1,42148 |
2,78013 |
33,4448 |
10,6041 |
22,2414 |
1 |
4,90809 |
329,525 |
4,63273 |
5,08374 |
43,0972 |
13,4424 |
1,12734 |
11,4411 |
175,712 |
2,30174 |
|
1 LTL = |
0,289620 |
0,566439 |
6,81422 |
2,16053 |
4,53157 |
0,203745 |
1 |
67,1391 |
0,943896 |
1,03579 |
8,78085 |
2,73882 |
0,229691 |
2,33107 |
35,8006 |
0,468969 |
|
1 HUF = |
0,00431373 |
0,00843680 |
0,101494 |
0,0321800 |
0,0674952 |
0,00303467 |
0,0148945 |
1 |
0,0140588 |
0,0154275 |
0,130786 |
0,0407932 |
0,00342112 |
0,0347200 |
0,533230 |
0,00698504 |
|
1 PLN = |
0,306835 |
0,600108 |
7,21925 |
2,28895 |
4,80092 |
0,215856 |
1,059440 |
71,1298 |
1 |
1,09735 |
9,30278 |
2,90161 |
0,243343 |
2,46963 |
37,9285 |
0,496844 |
|
1 RON = |
0,279613 |
0,546867 |
6,57877 |
2,08588 |
4,37500 |
0,196705 |
0,965448 |
64,8193 |
0,911282 |
1 |
8,47746 |
2,64419 |
0,221755 |
2,25053 |
34,5636 |
0,452765 |
|
1 SKK = |
0,0329831 |
0,0645084 |
0,776032 |
0,246051 |
0,516074 |
0,0232034 |
0,113884 |
7,64608 |
0,107495 |
0,117960 |
1 |
0,311908 |
0,0261581 |
0,265472 |
4,07712 |
0,0534082 |
|
1 SEK = |
0,105746 |
0,206819 |
2,48802 |
0,788857 |
1,65457 |
0,0743917 |
0,365121 |
24,5139 |
0,344636 |
0,378188 |
3,20607 |
1 |
0,0838649 |
0,851123 |
13,0715 |
0,171231 |
|
1 GBP = |
1,26091 |
2,46609 |
29,6669 |
9,40627 |
19,7290 |
0,887041 |
4,35368 |
292,302 |
4,10942 |
4,50949 |
38,2290 |
11,9239 |
1 |
10,1487 |
155,864 |
2,04174 |
|
1 NOK = |
0,124243 |
0,242995 |
2,92321 |
0,926842 |
1,94399 |
0,0874042 |
0,428988 |
28,8018 |
0,404919 |
0,444340 |
3,76688 |
1,17492 |
0,0985345 |
1 |
15,3580 |
0,201182 |
|
1 ISK = |
0,00808982 |
0,0158221 |
0,190338 |
0,0603492 |
0,126578 |
0,00569112 |
0,0279325 |
1,87536 |
0,0263654 |
0,0289322 |
0,245271 |
0,0765021 |
0,00641584 |
0,0651127 |
1 |
0,0130995 |
|
1 CHF = |
0,617567 |
1,20784 |
14,5302 |
4,60699 |
9,66283 |
0,434453 |
2,13234 |
143,163 |
2,01270 |
2,20865 |
18,7237 |
5,84008 |
0,489778 |
4,97063 |
76,3388 |
1 |
|
1. |
Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 determines that the rate for the conversion into a currency of amounts denominated in another currency shall be the rate calculated by the Commission and based on the monthly average, during the reference period specified in paragraph 2, of reference rates of exchange of currencies published by the European Central Bank. |
|
2. |
The reference period shall be:
The rates for the conversion of currencies shall be published in the second Official Journal of the European Union (‘C’ series) of the months of February, May, August and November. |
NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/7 |
Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/07)
|
Aid No |
XR 136/07 |
|||||
|
Member State |
Spain |
|||||
|
Region |
Galicia |
|||||
|
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement |
Ayudas a proyectos medioambientales de nuevos emplazamientos y ampliaciones superiores a 3 000 000 de euros |
|||||
|
Legal basis |
Resolución de 9 de marzo de 2007 (DOG no 59, de 23 de marzo de 2007) por la que se da publicidad al acuerdo del Consejo de Dirección del Instituto Gallego de Promoción Económica (Igape) que aprueba las bases reguladoras de los incentivos económicos del Igape y se procede a la convocatoria de de determinadas líneas de ayuda |
|||||
|
Type of measure |
Aid scheme |
|||||
|
Annual budget |
EUR 0,71 million |
|||||
|
Maximum aid intensity |
30 % |
|||||
|
In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation |
||||||
|
Date of implementation |
26.3.2007 |
|||||
|
Duration |
31.12.2013 |
|||||
|
Economic sectors |
Limited to specific sectors |
|||||
|
NACE:
|
||||||
|
Name and address of the granting authority |
|
|||||
|
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme |
http://www.investingalicia.com/incentivos.html |
|||||
|
Other information |
— |
|
Aid No |
XR 170/07 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member State |
Czech Republic |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Region |
87(3)(a), 87(3)(c) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement |
OP ŽP, prioritní osa 4 – Zkvalitnění nakládání s odpady a odstraňování starých ekologických zátěží Oblast podpory 4.1 – Zkvalitnění nakládání s odpady |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Legal basis |
185/2001 Sb., zákon o odpadech a o změně některých dalších zákonů 41/2005 Sb., vyhláška, kterou se mění vyhláška Ministerstva životního prostředí č. 383/2001 Sb., o podrobnostech nakládání s odpady 477/2001 Sb., zákon o obalech, ve znění pozdějších předpisů 352/2005 Sb., vyhláška o podrobnostech nakládání s elektrozařízeními a elektroodpady a o bližších podmínkách financování nakládání s nimi (vyhláška o nakládání s elektrozařízeními a elektroodpady) 353/2005 Sb., vyhláška, kterou se mění vyhláška č. 237/2002 Sb., o podrobnostech způsobu provedení zpětného odběru některých výrobků, ve znění vyhlášky č. 505/2004 Sb., a vyhláška č. 383/2001 Sb., o podrobnostech nakládání s odpady, ve znění pozdějších předpisů 381/2001 Sb., vyhláška Ministerstva životního prostředí, kterou se stanoví Katalog odpadů, Seznam nebezpečných odpadů a seznamy odpadů a států pro účely vývozu, dovozu a tranzitu odpadů a postup při udělování souhlasu k vývozu, dovozu a tranzitu odpadů (Katalog odpadů) 383/2001 Sb.,vyhláška Ministerstva životního prostředí o podrobnostech nakládání s odpady Programový dokument OP ŽP, 15. listopadu 2006 projednán a schválen vládou ČR. 7. března 2007 byl odeslán a přijat Evropskou komisí k formálnímu hodnocení Implementační dokument OP ŽP, ze dne 28. června 2007 Směrnice MŽP č. 07/2007 ze dne 29. června 2007 pro předkládání žádostí a o poskytování finančních prostředků pro projekty z Operačního programu Životní prostředí včetně spolufinancování ze Státního fondu životního prostředí České republiky a státního rozpočtu České republiky – kapitoly 315 (životní prostředí) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Type of measure |
Aid scheme |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Annual budget |
CZK 2 100 million |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Maximum aid intensity |
40 % |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Date of implementation |
1.10.2007 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Duration |
31.12.2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Economic sectors |
Limited to specific sectors |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
NACE:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name and address of the granting authority |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme |
www.opzp.cz |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other information |
— |
V Announcements
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY
Commission
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/10 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case COMP/M.5200 — Strabag/Kirchner)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/08)
|
1. |
On 25 July 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Strabag SE (‘Strabag’, Austria) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Kirchner Holding GmbH (‘Kirchner’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. Strabag is controlled by Rasperia Trading Limited (‘Rasperia’, Cyprus), Raiffeisen-Holding Niederösterreich-Wien reg. Gen.m.b.H (‘Raiffeisen Holding’, Austria), Uniqa Versicherungen AG (‘Uniqa’, Austria) and Dr Hans Peter Haselsteiner. Rasperia is controlled by Mr Oleg Deripaska who also controls Basic Element Company (‘Basic Element’, Russia). |
|
2. |
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
|
|
3. |
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
|
4. |
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5200 — Strabag/Kirchner, to the following address:
|
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/11 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case COMP/M.5191 — Perstorp/LyondellBasell/Rhodia diisocyanates businesses)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/09)
|
1. |
On 23 July 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Perstorp Holding AB (‘Perstorp’, Sweden) controlled by PAI Partners SAS (France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the toluene diisocyanate business of LyondellBasell Industries (‘the LyondellBasell business’, the Netherlands) and the hexamethylene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate businesses of Rhodia SA (‘the Rhodia businesses’, France) by way of purchase of shares and assets. |
|
2. |
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
|
|
3. |
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
|
4. |
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5191 — Perstorp/LyondellBasell/Rhodia diisocyanates businesses, to the following address:
|
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/12 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case COMP/M.5270 — Parcom/Bakkersland)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2008/C 198/10)
|
1. |
On 24 July 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Parcom Capital BV (‘Parcom’, Netherlands) controlled by ING group acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Bakkersland Groep BV (‘Bakkersland’, Netherlands) by way of purchase of shares. |
|
2. |
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
|
|
3. |
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
|
4. |
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5270 — Parcom/Bakkersland, to the following address:
|
OTHER ACTS
Commission
|
5.8.2008 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 198/13 |
Publication of an 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
(2008/C 198/11)
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.
SUMMARY
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006
‘GENTSE AZALEA’
EC No: BE-PGI-005-0536-24.03.2006
PDO ( ) PGI ( X )
This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.
1. Responsible department in the Member State:
|
Name: |
Vlaamse Overheid, Departement Landbouw en Visserij, Afdeling Duurzame Landbouwontwikkeling |
||||
|
Address: |
|
||||
|
Tel. |
(32-2) 552 78 84 |
||||
|
Fax |
(32-2) 552 78 71 |
||||
|
E-mail: |
lieve.desmit@lv.vlaanderen.be |
2. Group:
|
Name: |
Vereniging van Vlaamse Azaleatelers |
||
|
Address: |
|
||
|
Tel. |
(32-9) 342 91 26 |
||
|
Fax |
(32-9) 342 92 14 |
||
|
E-mail: |
info@vaneetvelde.com |
||
|
Composition: |
Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( X ) |
3. Type of product:
Class 3.5: Flowers and ornamental plants
4. Specification:
(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)
4.1. Name: ‘Gentse azalea’
4.2. Description: The ‘Gentse azalea’ is the ready-for-sale azalea (Azalea indica or Rhododendron simsii), from the first show of colour or the ‘candle-flame’ stage. It is available in various shapes (spherical shrub or standard azaleas, tall-stemmed, pyramid and various unusually shaped varieties) and colours (including white, salmon, red, carmine, pink, purple and lilac) and can be either pure or tinged with another colour (veined or edged). The unique characteristic of the ‘Gentse azalea’ is that it is the result of a quality-oriented production process based on tradition and diversity.
Quality is guaranteed by compliance with predetermined quality criteria based on product performance (e.g. bud distribution), user-friendliness (e.g. leaving a gap below the rim to allow for watering), reliability (e.g. guaranteed colour) and aesthetic character (e.g. fresh and green appearance). It is a product that is known for its quality, born of many years of tradition, expertise, extensive research and professional information.
4.3. Geographical area: The production area covers the whole of the province of East Flanders (with Ghent as its capital).
4.4. Proof of origin: A ‘Gentse azalea’ must come from a company listed in the register kept by the applicant group. That register is forwarded to the competent supervisory body. The registered companies are either azalea growers (cultivating azaleas from cuttings until they reach the fully grown ‘green’ stage or until the first show of colour) or traders/forcers (buying fully grown ‘green’ azaleas and placing them in forcing houses at least until the first show of colour).
Every ‘Gentse azalea’ producer must comply with the standards laid down by the Azalea Quality Project (Project Azalea Kwaliteit, PAK). The PAK is intended to maintain the high quality of the ‘Gentse azalea’ and is a way of guaranteeing that quality. By signing a quality charter and receiving a participant number and a PAK number, each and every registered company undertakes to comply with the quality standards laid down by the PAK. Registered azalea growers keep a crop information sheet for each batch until the plants are ready for sale. The crop information sheet guarantees that the growing method and quality standards have been applied. When ‘green’ azaleas are shipped to the forcer, they are accompanied by the crop information sheet for the batch in question and a PAK sticker showing their PAK number. Plants that are ready for sale are labelled by the grower or the trader/forcer with the label described in point 4.8 before leaving the company.
4.5. Method of production: For the ‘Gentse azalea’, the entire cultivation process (from the propagation of cuttings to the production of a plant that is able to bear flowers) takes place within the geographical area defined in point 4.3.
The ‘Gentse azalea’ is propagated by taking cuttings or by grafting onto other rootstock. The cuttings are immediately covered with a plastic sheet. Undersoil heating then increases the temperature of the propagation substrate to 23-25 °C.
During cultivation, the tops of the plants need to be pinched out regularly. This involves removing the top part of the sprig to allow the plant to produce more shoots. The number of times this is done depends on the desired size of the final product. During the first phase of cultivation (up to and including the second time the tops are pinched out), the plants remain under cover. Further cultivation may occur either under cover or in the open air. Once it has reached the desired final diameter, the ‘green’ azalea will finally form buds. For this to happen, the plant must first be exposed to cold temperatures for a certain period of time. Depending on the length of this exposure, Gentse azaleas are classified as very early flowering (from 15 August), early flowering (from 1 December), medium-early flowering (from 15 January) and late flowering (from 15 February). ‘Green’ azaleas are sold when the buds are sufficiently mature. The standards laid down as part of the Azalea Quality Project apply to both ‘green’ and flowering azaleas. Flowering azaleas are obtained through forcing. This is done by exposing the sufficiently mature plants to a temperature of at least 20 °C, watering them regularly and, in many cases, using artificial lighting. They are sold from the first show of colour or the ‘candle-flame’ stage.
4.6. Link: This application for recognition of the ‘Gentse azalea’ is based on the reputation of the product. However, the characteristic cultivation of the ‘Gentse azalea’ came about through a combination of historical, natural and human factors.
Over the past two centuries, the Ghent region became the hub of azalea cultivation and trade in Western Europe. Research in this area, the dissemination of information and the supply sector are also concentrated in the region.
The development of azalea cultivation in the geographical area in question was due not only to historical circumstances but also to natural factors. The region around Ghent has a temperate maritime climate that is well suited to azalea growing. Azaleas also need permeable soil. They were primarily grown in a substrate of pine-needle and leaf litter, which was available in the region.
The Ghent master gardener Judocus Huytens first brought azaleas to the region from England in 1774, but Azalea indica was actually brought over from England in 1808 by Captain Welbanck. A key factor in the success of the azalea was the founding of the Ghent Agricultural and Botanical Society in 1808.
The reputation of the ‘Gentse azalea’ is shown by the following:
The first azalea was exhibited by Baron Du Bois de Vroeylande at an exhibition held on 6 February 1819. A big flower show, judged by an international jury, has been held every five years since 1839. It is still going today and enjoys worldwide fame as the ‘Gentse Floraliën’.
Louis Van Houtte was a pioneer of ‘Gentse azalea’ growing, as he perfected the growing technique and his work in the field of selection and breeding resulted in various new shapes and colours being developed. His first catalogue was published in 1839 and already included 97 varieties of Azalea indica.
On 17 May 1869, the ‘Gentse azalea’ was exhibited at the St Petersburg Flower Show in Russia.
Azalea cultivation became so important for the region around Ghent that a periodical dedicated exclusively to azaleas, entitled Iconographie des azalées de l'Inde (Iconography of Indian azaleas), was launched in 1881.
In 1893, Georges Truffaut wrote in his Étude sur la culture et la végétation de l'Azalea Indica (Study on the cultivation and vegetation of Azalea indica): ‘The most important centres of azalea cultivation are to be found in Belgium, particularly in the region around the town of Ghent’.
In 1938, a postage stamp bearing an azalea was issued in Ghent on the occasion of a three-day azalea exhibition that ran from 17 to 19 December.
Various publications testify to the fact that growers strove to achieve the greatest possible variety of colours and shapes. In the ‘Landbouwtijdschrift’ (Journal of Agriculture) published in October 1954, F. Peeters wrote: ‘Azalea cultivation, for which Ghent is famous, is practised by numerous horticulturalists. They grow a large number of varieties, which differ in terms of colour and shape …’
4.7. Inspection body:
|
Name: |
Federale Overheidsdienst Economie, K.M.O., Middenstand en Energie Algemene Directie Controle en Bemiddeling Tweede Afdeling Gespecialiseerde Diensten, Sectie A Controles Uitgaven EOGFL en Marktordening |
|||
|
Address: |
|
|||
|
Tel. |
(32-2) 208 40 40 |
|||
|
Fax |
(32-2) 208 39 75 |
|||
|
E-mail: |
Dirk.Demaeseneer@economie.fgov.be |
4.8. Labelling: A label displaying the indication ‘Gentse azalea’, the European PGI symbol and the PAK number is affixed to the plants.
(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.