13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/1

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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

(2008/C 206/01)

Date of adoption of the decision	17.6.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 649/07
Member State	Latvia
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Buferjoslu ierīkošana
Legal basis	‘Aizsargjoslu likums’ (pieņemts 5.2.1997.) — Ministru kabineta 2001. gada 18. decembra noteikumos Nr. 531 ‘Noteikumi par ūdens un augsnes aizsardzību no lauksaimnieciskas darbības izraisītā piesārņojuma ar nitrātiem’
Type of measure	Agri-environment payments
Objective	Environmental protection
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Overall budget LVL 0,45 million (around EUR 0,64 million)
Intensity	Up to 100 %
Duration	Until 30.12.2013
Economic sectors	Agricultural sector
Name and address of the granting authority	Lauku Atbalsta Dienests Republikas laukums 2 LV-1981 Rīga
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	17.6.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 671/07
Member State	France
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aides à la publicité des secteurs des fruits, des légumes, de l'horticulture, des pommes de terre, des productions végétales spécialisées et de l'apiculture
Legal basis	Articles L 621-1 et suivants du Code rural, Décision du directeur de Viniflhor
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Funding for publicity campaigns to improve the image and increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables and horticultural products in France and abroad
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	EUR 98 000 000
Intensity	Variable, maximum 100 %
Duration	2008-2013
Economic sectors	Agriculture
Name and address of the granting authority	Office national interprofessionnel des fruits, des légumes, des vins et de l'horticulture (Viniflhor) TSA 40004 F-93555 Montreuil sous Bois Cedex
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	23.5.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 167/08
Member State	Federal Republic of Germany
Region	Rheinland-Pfalz
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Maßnahmen zur Revitalisierung der Wälder
Legal basis	Entwicklungsprogramm Agrarwirtschaft, Umweltmaßnahmen, Landentwicklung des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Revitalisation of forests
Form of aid	Subsidy
Budget	EUR 1 500 000 per year
Intensity	90 %
Duration	2008-2013
Economic sectors	Agriculture
Name and address of the granting authority	—

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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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/4

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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)

(2008/C 206/02)

Date of adoption of the decision	16.7.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 439/07
Member State	Germany
Region	Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Bundesbürgschaften unter Einbindung paralleler Landesbürgschaften für Vorhaben in den neuen Ländern und im Regionalfördergebiet Berlin
Legal basis	Bundeshaushaltsgesetz in der jährlichen Fassung, insbes. § 3(1) Nr. 5 Bundeshaushaltsordnung Original title: Bundeshaushaltsplan
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Regional development
Form of aid	Guarantee
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 1 020 million
Intensity	—
Duration	Until 31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie Scharnhorststr. 34-37 D-10115 Berlin Bundesministerium der Finanzen Wilhelmstr. 97 D-10117 Berlin
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	16.7.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 647/07
Member State	France
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aide individuelle à la R&D pour le projet ‘PAMELAT, pointe avant mixte Latécoère, Recherche et innovation dans la filière composite aéronautique’
Legal basis	Régime N 51/06
Type of measure	Individual aid
Objective	Research and development
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 14 million
Intensity	43 %
Duration	Until 2010
Economic sectors	Manufacturing industry
Name and address of the granting authority	Direction Générale des Entreprises 1-12 rue Villiot F-75012 Paris
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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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/6

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5176 — CVC/Schuitema)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 206/03)

On 26 June 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 32008M5176. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/6

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5190 — Nordic Capital/Convatec)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 206/04)

On 15 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) in conjunction with Article 6(2) 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 32008M5190. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/7

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Euro exchange rates (1)

12 August 2008

(2008/C 206/05)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,4907
JPY	Japanese yen	163,97
DKK	Danish krone	7,4597
GBP	Pound sterling	0,7844
SEK	Swedish krona	9,3889
CHF	Swiss franc	1,6215
ISK	Iceland króna	121,93
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,012
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	23,954
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	236,47
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7042
PLN	Polish zloty	3,2753
RON	Romanian leu	3,539
SKK	Slovak koruna	30,343
TRY	Turkish lira	1,7609
AUD	Australian dollar	1,7048
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,5936
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	11,6396
NZD	New Zealand dollar	2,1389
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,1029
KRW	South Korean won	1 541,01
ZAR	South African rand	11,571
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,231
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,2065
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	13 669,72
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,9588
PHP	Philippine peso	66,58
RUB	Russian rouble	36,154
THB	Thai baht	50,222
BRL	Brazilian real	2,4134
MXN	Mexican peso	15,1288

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(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/8

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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 206/06)

Aid No	XR 113/07
Member State	Austria
Region	Niederösterreich
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement	Ecoplus Richtlinien für regionale betriebliche Investitionsprojekte in Niederösterreich
Legal basis	Gesellschaftsvertrag der ecoplus Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH sowie Aufsichtsratsbeschluss vom 5.4.2007
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Annual budget	EUR 30 million
Maximum aid intensity	15 %
	In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation
Date of implementation	1.4.2007
Duration	31.12.2007
Economic sectors	All sectors eligible for regional investment aid
Name and address of the granting authority	Ecoplus Niederösterreichische Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH Lugeck 1 A-1011 Wien E-mail: headoffice@ecoplus.at
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme	www.ecoplus.at/regionalfoerderung
Other information	—

Aid No	XR 115/07
Member State	Austria
Region	Oberösterreich
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement	Wirtschafts- Impulsprogramm (WIP) des Landes Oberösterreich für den Zeitraum 1.6.2007-31.12.2013
Legal basis	Beschluss der oö Landesregierung vom 21.5.2007
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Annual budget	EUR 2 million
Maximum aid intensity	15 %
	In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation
Date of implementation	1.6.2007
Duration	31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All sectors eligible for regional investment aid
Name and address of the granting authority	Land Oberösterreich Amt der oö. Landesregierung, Abteilung Gewerbe/Wirtschaftspolitik Tel. (43) 732 7720-15158 E-mail: ge.post@ooe.gv.at
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme	www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at http://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3DCFCFC3-E83B4377/ooe/hs.xsl/26536_DEU_HTML.htm
Other information	—

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/10

---

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 206/07)

Aid No	XR 47/08
Member State	Spain
Region	Murcia
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement	Programa de apoyo a inversiones tecnológicamente avanzadas en sectores estratégicos
Legal basis	Orden de 18 de febrero de 2008, por la que se aprueban las bases reguladoras y la Convocatoria para 2008 de programas de ayudas del Instituto de Fomento de la Región de Murcia de apoyo a inversiones tecnológicamente avanzadas en sectores estratégicos dirigidas a las empresas
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Annual budget	EUR 4,025 million
Maximum aid intensity	30 %
	In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation
Date of implementation	25.2.2008
Duration	31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All sectors eligible for regional investment aid
Name and address of the granting authority	Instituto de Fomento de la Región de Murcia Avda de la Fama no 3 E-30003 Murcia
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme	http://www.institutofomentomurcia.es
Other information	—

Aid No	XR 79/08
Member State	Italy
Region	Basilicata
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement	Disciplinare per la concessione delle agevolazioni previste dall'art.17 della legge regionale n. 28 del 28 dicembre 2007 per la realizzazione di piani di reindustrializzazione e di salvaguardia dei livelli occupazionali nei siti produttivi inattivi sul territorio della regione Basilicata
Legal basis	D.G.R. n. 690 del 13 maggio 2008
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Annual budget	EUR 50 million
Maximum aid intensity	30 %
	In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation
Date of implementation	13.5.2008
Duration	31.12.2010
Economic sectors	Limited to specific sectors
	NACE D
Name and address of the granting authority	Regione Basilicata Dipartimento Attività produttive Viale della Regione Basilicata, 12 I-85100 Potenza
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme	http://www.regione.basilicata.it/dipattivitaproduttive/default.cfm?fuseaction=dir&dir=1458&doc=&link= http://www.regione.basilicata.it/dipattivitaproduttive
Other information	—

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/12

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Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain stainless steel fasteners originating in Vietnam

(2008/C 206/08)

The Commission has received a request for a partial interim review pursuant to Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (1) (‘the basic Regulation’).

1.   Request for review

The request was lodged by Header Plan Co., Ltd (‘the applicant’), an exporter from Vietnam.

The request is limited in scope to the examination of dumping as far as the applicant is concerned.

2.   Product

The product under review is certain stainless steel fasteners and parts thereof (‘the product concerned’), currently classifiable within CN codes 7318 12 10, 7318 14 10, 7318 15 30, 7318 15 51, 7318 15 61 and 7318 15 70. These CN codes are given only for information.

3.   Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 1890/2005 (2) on imports of certain stainless steel fasteners originating in, inter alia, Vietnam.

4.   Grounds for the review

The request pursuant to Article 11(3) is based on prima facie evidence, provided by the applicant, that the circumstances on the basis of which measures were imposed have changed and that these changes are of lasting nature.

The applicant provided prima facie evidence that the continued application of the measure at its current level is no longer necessary to offset dumping. In particular, the applicant has provided prima facie evidence showing that it meets the criteria for market economy treatment and individual treatment. Furthermore, a comparison of its domestic prices and costs of production and export prices to the Community indicates that the dumping margin appears to be substantially lower than the current level of the measure.

5.   Procedure for the determination of dumping

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of a partial interim review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.

The investigation will assess the need for the continuation, removal or amendment of the existing measures in respect of the applicant.

If it is determined that measures should be removed or amended for the applicant, it may be necessary to amend the rate of duty currently applicable to imports of the product concerned from companies not mentioned in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1890/2005.

(a)   Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the applicant and to the authorities of the exporting country concerned. This information and supporting evidence should reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a)(i).

(b)   Collection of information and holding of hearings

All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information other than questionnaire replies and to provide supporting evidence. This information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a)(i).

Furthermore, the Commission may hear interested parties, provided that they make a request showing that there are particular reasons why they should be heard. This request must be made within the time limit set in point 6(a)(ii).

(c)   Market economy status

In the event that the company provides sufficient evidence showing that it operates under market economy conditions, i.e. that it meets the criteria laid down in Article 2(7)(c) of the basic Regulation, normal value will be determined in accordance with Article 2(7)(b) of the basic Regulation. For this purpose, a duly substantiated claim must be submitted within the specific time limit set in point 6(b) of this notice. The Commission will send a claim form to the company, as well as to the authorities of Vietnam.

(d)   Selection of the market economy country

In the event that the company is not granted market economy treatment, and in accordance with Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation, an appropriate market economy country will be used for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of Vietnam in accordance with Article 2(7)(a) of the basic Regulation. The Commission considers using Taiwan again for this purpose as was done in the investigation which led to the imposition of the current measures on imports of the product concerned from Vietnam. Interested parties are hereby invited to comment on the appropriateness of this choice within the specific time limit set in point 6(c) of this notice.

Furthermore, in the event that the company is granted market economy treatment, the Commission may, if necessary, also use findings concerning the normal value established in an appropriate market economy country, e.g. for the purpose of replacing any unreliable cost or price elements in Vietnam which are needed in establishing the normal value, if reliable required data are not available in Vietnam. The Commission considers using Taiwan also for this purpose.

6.   Time limits

(a)   General time limits

(i)   For parties to make themselves known, to submit questionnaire replies and any other information

All interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account during the investigation, must make themselves known by contacting the Commission, present their views and submit questionnaire replies or any other information within 40 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified. Attention is drawn to the fact that the exercise of most procedural rights set out in the basic Regulation depends on the party's making itself known within the aforementioned period.

(ii)   Hearings

All interested parties may also apply to be heard by the Commission within the same 40-day time limit.

(b)   Specific time limit for submission of claims for market economy treatment

The company's duly substantiated claim for market economy treatment, as mentioned in point 5(c) of this notice, must reach the Commission within 21 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(c)   Specific time limit for the selection of the market economy country

Parties to the investigation may wish to comment on the appropriateness of Taiwan which, as mentioned in point 5(d) of this notice, is considered a market economy country for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of Vietnam. These comments must reach the Commission within 10 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

7.   Written submissions, questionnaire replies and correspondence

All submissions and requests made by interested parties must be made in writing (not in electronic format, unless otherwise specified) and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax and/or telex numbers of the interested party. All written submissions, including the information requested in this notice, questionnaire replies and correspondence provided by interested parties on a confidential basis shall be labelled as ‘Limited’ (3) and, in accordance with Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, shall be accompanied by a non-confidential version, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’.

Commission address for correspondence:

European Commission

Directorate General for Trade

Directorate H

Office: J-79 4/23

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 295 65 05

8.   Non-co-operation

In cases in which any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the facts available.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information shall be disregarded and use may be made, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, of the facts available. If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially, and use of facts available is made, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

9.   Schedule of the investigation

The investigation will be concluded, according to Article 6(9) of the basic Regulation, within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

10.   Processing of personal data

It is noted that any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (4).

11.   Hearing Officer

It is also noted that if interested parties consider that they are encountering difficulties in the exercise of their rights of defence, they may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer of DG Trade. He acts as an interface between the interested parties and the Commission services, offering, where necessary, mediation on procedural matters affecting the protection of their interests in this proceeding, in particular, with regard to issues concerning access to the file, confidentiality, extension of time limits and the treatment of written and/or oral submission of views. For further information and contact details, interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer's web pages on the website of DG Trade (http://ec.europa.eu/trade).

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(1)  OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2117/2005 (OJ L 340, 23.12.2005, p. 17).

(2)  OJ L 302, 19.11.2005, p. 1.

(3)  This means that the document is for internal use only. It is protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-dumping Agreement).

(4)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/15

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5277 — Zurich/Banco Sabadell/BanSabadell Vida/BanSabadell Pensiones/BanSabadell Generales)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 206/09)

1.

On 1 August 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 undertakings Zurich Vida, Compañía de Seguros y Reaseguros, SA (‘Zurich Vida’, Spain) and Zurich España, Compañía de Seguros y Reaseguros, SA (‘Zurich Generales’, Spain) belonging to the Zurich Group (‘Zurich Group’, Switzerland) and Banco de Sabadell, SA (‘Banco Sabadell’, Spain) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of BanSabadell Vida, SA de Seguros y Reaseguros (‘BanSabadell Vida’, Spain) BanSabadell Pensiones, E.G.F.P., SA (‘BanSabadell Pensiones’, Spain) and BanSabadell Seguros Generales, SA de Seguros y Reaseguros (‘BanSabadell Generales’, Spain), which are currently wholly-owned subsidiaries of Banco Sabadell, by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for Zurich Group: insurance, re-insurance, pensions and investment products in Europe, America and Asia, — for Zurich Vida: Spanish subsidiary of the Zurich Group in the field of life insurance, — for Zurich Generales: Spanish subsidiary of the Zurich Group in the field of non-life insurance, — for Banco Sabadell: retail banking in Spain, — for BanSabadell Vida: life insurance in Spain, — for BanSabadell Pensiones: pension products in Spain, — for BanSabadell Generales: non-life insurance in Spain.

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.5277 — Zurich/Banco Sabadell/BanSabadell Vida/BanSabadell Pensiones/BanSabadell Generales, to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry J-70 B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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13.8.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/16

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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 206/10)

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.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘BUDAPESTI TÉLISZALÁMI’

EC No: HU-PGI-005-0396-21.10.2004

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:	Földművelésügyi és Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium – Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági, Állat- és Növényegészségügyi Főosztály
Address:	H-1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 11
Tel.	(36-1) 301-4419 or (36-1) 301-4486
Fax	(36-1) 301-4808
E-mail:	ZoborE@fvm.hu

2.   Group:

Name:	HERZ Szalámigyár Zrt.
Address:	H-1097 Budapest, Gubacsi út 13
Tel.	(36-1) 215-7489
Fax	(36-1) 216-7485
E-mail:	herzrt@herz.hu
Composition:	Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

In accordance with Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, this is an exceptional case as there is only one producer in this field. The conditions set out in Article 2 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006 have been met.

3.   Type of product:

Class 1.2 — Group: Meat products

4.   Specification:

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

4.1.   Name: ‘Budapesti téliszalámi’

4.2.   Description: Budapesti téliszalámi (Budapest winter salami) is made using meat carved from heavy (more than 150 kg) castrated male pigs or non-breeding females more than one year old from the Mangalitsa, Cornwall, Berkshire, Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire and Pietrain breeds or their crosses, and the firm pork fat of the above breeds or their crosses. Boars castrated as adults which have fathered litters may not be used.

Budapesti téliszalámi is a smoked, fermented, dried meat product made from ingredients evenly cut into small pieces and mixed together, and comprises pork meat chopped into approximately 4 mm sized pieces and pork fat chopped into approximately 2 mm sized pieces mixed evenly with seasoning and stuffed in horse intestines or artificial casings. Cylindrical in shape, its surface is evenly covered with greyish-white noble mould. Table salt, a curing agent (a mixture of table salt and sodium nitrate) and spices (white pepper, sweet paprika and allspice) are added to taste, with the flavour of the allspice dominant.

The salami is long and cylindrical in shape, with an even thickness and a diameter of at least 40 mm and no more than 85 mm. The casing is free from indentations, evenly covered with a greyish-white noble mould and adheres well to the filling. It is compact yet elastic and easy to slice, firm but not too hard. The cut surface is light, mosaiced with uniformly mixed light brown/red meat granules and pale fat granules.

It is sold whole or sliced. Whole salamis are wrapped in cellophane in approximately 54 cm long ‘normal’, approximately 33 cm long ‘midi’, approximately 19 cm long ‘tourist’ and approximately 16 cm long ‘mini’ sizes. Sliced salami is sold in trays wrapped in vacuum foil or protective gas atmosphere packaging.

4.3.   Geographical area: Budapesti téliszalámi is produced in Budapest, within 1 km of the Danube.

4.4.   Proof of origin: Proof of origin in the geographical area is provided by the following:

The half carcases delivered to the butchery bear ENAR (Egységes Nyilvántartási és Azonosítási Rendszer — Integrated Identification and Registration System) ear tag numbers. The origin of the half carcases arriving at the factory can be traced using the butchery records. Products made from the parts of each half carcass are given item numbers, enabling them to be traced and identified at any time during the production process starting from their delivery to the factory. The item numbers are present in each step of the production process in the form of ear tag numbers, marking plates and paste numbers. Documents produced during processing and finished product inspection also refer back to individual item numbers.

As regards the place of manufacture, the producer must at all times be able to prove that production — or at least, all the operations from the chopping up of the raw materials through the smoking, as far as the drying — has taken place in Budapest, in an area within 1 km of the Danube.

4.5.   Method of production: The products are made using leg, loin, shoulder, rib, flank and tenderloin, and the firm belly fat and chaps with the glands removed, taken from half carcases of crosses of the breeds listed above, cut (only by hand), boned and with tendons, heads and trotters removed.

The meat, cooled to 0 … – 4 °C and the fat, cooled to – 3 … – 7 °C, are weighed and chopped by machine into 2-4 mm pieces. Seasoning takes place during the chopping and mixing, using salt, white pepper, sweet paprika, allspice, and curing salt is also added. The resulting salami paste is vacuum-filled by machine into an intestine casing, the ends of the individual salamis are closed and tied, and they are placed in a frame. Horse intestines or water vapour permeable synthetic casings are used.

After filling, the salami is smoked. This takes from 12 to 20 days at a maximum of 16 °C over a smothered hardwood billet fire using mainly beech billets.

The next stage is fermentation and drying of the smoked product to allow the formation of mould. During this process the salamis are placed in the fermenting/drying facility, where the natural microflora in the room attaches itself to the surface. No starter cultures are used for mould formation during salami production. Temperature and humidity conditions (10-14 °C, relative humidity above 86 %) for the formation of the mould layer enable and promote the growth of the mould and the formation of an even covering on the salami. The fermentation/drying requires great care; the high pH value of Budapesti téliszalámi — more than 5 — means it must be dried slowly. The relative humidity of the air for fermentation/drying is between 45 % and 95 % and the air flow is set so that the diffusion impetus (the difference between the relative and balanced humidity) does not exceed 4-5 %. This requires a combination of air flow from the external environment (the open air) and that which can be produced with air conditioning.

The fermentation/drying process takes 2-3 months, so that the total time needed for the salami from filling to being ready for cutting is at least 90 days.

4.6.   Link: Salami has been made in Budapest since the end of the 19th century. Whilst in the past this activity was carried out by a number of companies (Dozzi, Antal Kreische, Meduna, Ármin Herz and sons), the only salami manufacturer still operating there today is the HERZ Szalámigyár Zrt. founded by Ármin Herz and sons.

In the 19th century, Budapesti téliszalámi (Budapest winter salami) — as the name suggests — was made only in the winter. It was not yet possible to cool drying rooms or regulate the humidity of rooms artificially. The damp air in the vicinity of the Danube was used for mould formation and drying; this was ideal for the development of the mould coating which characterises Budapesti téliszalámi. Optimal air conditions for the fermentation stage were ensured by opening or closing the windows of the fermenting rooms. The product continues to be manufactured at a site beside the Danube and fermentation takes place within 1 km of the line of the river, which determines the atmospheric conditions in this zone. The air here is always damper and (apart from in winter) somewhat cooler; it is also cleaner, as the area close to the Danube enjoys continuous air movement. The relative humidity is approximately 10 % higher and the temperature fluctuation approximately 2 °C less than in areas further away.

The damper air which results from evaporation across the wide expanse of water has led in this geographical location to the formation of a particular combination of moulds — a mixture of various types of Penicillinum and Aspergillus in a fixed proportion — which gives the greyish-characteristic white colour to the layer of mould which forms on the product. The mould is characteristic and unique and bears the scent of the Danube, and there is none of the intense, unpleasant ammonia smell of salamis made with mould starters. The mould spores in the microflora of the fermenting rooms are everywhere present in the air and find their way by means of air currents onto the surface of the salami, where they multiply. This characteristic ‘home-grown mould flora’ determines the product's organoleptic properties (smell, taste, appearance); it also prevents the salami from drying out rapidly, whilst the opaque surface prevents it from quickly growing rancid.

It should be noted that the mould flora which forms the mould layer on Budapesti téliszalámi, which has been made using the same technique and ingredients for more than 110 years, consists of mould which is not inhibited by the smoked surface and thus clings easily to the surface of the salami and multiplies. This is not possible using mould starter cultures, due to their sensitivity to smoke.

Smoking is still done using cold smoke from a smothered hardwood billet fire (using mainly dry beech billets), just as in the 19th century. The thoroughly dried billets are still moved into place on hand-manoeuvred metal smoking carts which follow a fixed path, as in the past.

Fermenting takes place in multi-level fermenting rooms and is directed by the master salami maker. To this day the ‘home-grown mould flora’ remains able to develop and multiply in any of the fermenting rooms, regardless of what kind of building they are in, as the right conditions are created by the microclimate formed by the surface of the Danube and the parameters provided for fermenting. That said, the buildings currently in use were constructed from small bricks, with the masonry on the inside plastered and whitewashed. The humidity permeability of the brick walls is extremely good, which contributes to even, continuous dehydration. The internal construction of the smoking and fermenting rooms is of the ‘Prussian mitre’ design, with brick arches between I-beams located at 1,2 m intervals. This arrangement means there is a large dead space above the salami drying apparatus; this ensures the even circulation of air and also promotes even dehydration.

4.7.   Inspection body:

Name:	Fővárosi és Pest Megyei Mezőgazdasági Szakigazgatási Hivatal Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági és Állategészségügyi Igazgatóság
Address:	H-1135 Budapest, Lehel út 43-47
Tel.	(36-1) 239-0330
Fax	(36-1) 350-6117
E-mail:	hajosa@oai.hu, fovaros@oai.hu

4.8.   Labelling: Name of product: ‘Budapesti téliszalámi’.

The word ‘Salami’ may be used together with the registered name ‘Budapesti téliszalámi’ on products intended for export.

After Community registration the words ‘protected geographical indication’ or the corresponding abbreviation must appear on the packaging together with the relevant Community symbol.

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(1)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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