7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/1

OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 8 October 2008

on a proposal for two Council Regulations concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins

(CON/2008/45)

(2008/C 283/01)

Introduction and legal basis

On 25 September 2008, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Council of the European Union for an opinion on a proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins (hereinafter the ‘first proposed regulation’) and a proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2183/2004 extending to the non-participating Member States the application of Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins (hereinafter the ‘second proposed regulation’) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the ‘proposed regulations’) (1).

The ECB's competence to deliver an opinion is based on Article 123(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community for the first proposed regulation and on Article 105(4) of the Treaty for the second proposed regulation, as it relates to currency matters. In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.

1. General observations

By clarifying the specific elements of the designs on legal tender euro coins that should not be reproduced on medals and tokens that are similar to euro coins and establishing the criteria to be used by the Commission when preparing an opinion on compliance with Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 (2), the first proposed regulation strengthens the protective provisions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 against confusion and fraud relating to medals and tokens that could be mistaken for euro coins. It also improves transparency in the Commission's decision-making process.

Since euro coins may circulate beyond the territories of the Member States that have adopted the euro, having a certain degree of protection of euro coins in Member States which have not yet adopted the euro is of importance with regards to activities, such as counterfeiting, that may impair their credibility as legal tender.

2. Specific observations

2.1. Similarity of the design appearing on the surface of medals and tokens

Compared to Article 2(c) of Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004, the new Article 2(1)(c) of the first proposed regulation describes in more detail the designs or parts thereof appearing on the surface of euro coins which may not be reproduced on medals and tokens. To enhance the protective character of this provision, the ECB recommends including an express reference to the euro symbol and to the terms ‘euro’ and ‘euro cent’ in the new Article 2(1)(c)(i). The ECB acknowledges that as currently drafted, Article 2(1)(c)(i) does not exclude these terms or the euro symbol; however, expressly mentioning them would contribute to clarifying the Commission's proposal and strengthening the protective provisions. Indeed, the general public may be confused not only by a reproduction of the terms ‘euro’, ‘euro cent’ or the euro symbol on medals or tokens, which is prohibited according to the new Article 2(1)(a), but also by any design using elements that are similar to those terms and that symbol.

2.2. Transparency in the decision-making process

According to the explanatory memorandum to the first proposed regulation, the Commission has been working closely with the counterfeit coin experts referred to in the first paragraph of Article 4 of Commission Decision 2005/37/EC of 29 October 2004 establishing the European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) and providing for coordination of technical actions to protect euro coins against counterfeiting (3) when considering compliance with Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 and considers that this consultation should continue. However, the first proposed regulation only refers to ‘consultation with the Member States’ in the third recital. As a result, the ECB recommends that an express reference to the counterfeit coin experts be included in the new Article 2(2), in particular since one of the main purposes of the first proposed regulation is to make the decision-making process more transparent.

2.3. Derogations by authorisation

The new Article 4 concerning derogations by authorisation does not provide for any procedure by which economic operators may request such derogation from the protective provisions laid down in Article 2. The ECB considers that appropriate wording should be added in this respect.

In the same vein, the decision-making process would be even more transparent if the first proposed regulation included the conditions under which the Commission may authorise a derogation. More specifically, the new Article 4 is vague as regards the ‘controlled conditions of utilisation’ under which medals and tokens may bear the terms ‘euro’ or ‘euro cent’ or the euro symbol and when ‘no risk of confusion exists’. In order to enhance transparency and improve legal certainty, the new Article 4 would benefit from more comprehensive and/or illustrative wording on the general criteria to be applied by the Commission when authorising a derogation.

2.4. Application of the first proposed regulation to Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City

Monetary agreements are already in place (i) between France, on behalf of the European Community, and Monaco; and (ii) between Italy, on behalf of the European Community, and San Marino and the Vatican City. Under these agreements, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City are entitled to issue euro coins which have the status of legal tender and have specific artistic features on their national side. Because the visual characteristics of these euro coins are different from the visual characteristics of the euro coins issued by each of the Member States that have adopted the euro, the euro coins issued by Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City should also benefit from the protective provisions laid down in the first proposed regulation. Consequently, the respective monetary agreements and/or the legislative provisions adopted pursuant to these monetary agreements should be amended so that the content of the first proposed regulation, once adopted, also applies to Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City.

2.5. Consultation of the ECB on the second proposed regulation

Unlike the first proposed regulation, the preamble to the second proposed regulation does not refer to the ECB's opinion. In view of the fact that both proposed regulations fall within the ECB's fields of competence, the preamble to the second proposed regulation should be amended to refer to the ECB's opinion.

3. Drafting proposals

Where the above advice would lead to changes in the proposed regulations, drafting proposals are set out in the Annex.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 8 October 2008.

The President of the ECB

Jean-Claude TRICHET

(1) COM(2008) 514 final, Vol. I and Vol. II.

(2) OJ L 373, 21.12.2004, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 19, 21.1.2005, p. 73.

ANNEX

Drafting proposals

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendments proposed by the ECB (1)

Amendment 1

Article 2(1)(c)(i) mentioned in Article 1 of the first proposed regulation

‘(i)	any design, or parts thereof, appearing on the surface of euro coins, including in particular the twelve stars of the European Union, the image of the geographical representation and the numerals, in the way depicted on euro coins, or’

‘(i)	any design, or parts thereof, appearing on the surface of euro coins, including in particular the terms “euro”, “euro cent”, the euro symbol, the twelve stars of the European Union, the image of the geographical representation and the numerals, in the way depicted on euro coins, or’

Justification — See paragraph 2.1 of the opinion

Amendment 2

Article 2(2) mentioned in Article 1 of the first proposed regulation

‘2. The Commission shall be competent to deliver an opinion as to:’

‘2. The Commission, after having consulted the counterfeit coin experts referred to in Article 4 of Commission Decision 2005/37/EC of 29 October 2004 establishing the European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) and providing for coordination of technical actions to protect euro coins against counterfeiting (2) , shall be competent to deliver an opinion as to:’

Justification — See paragraph 2.2 of the opinion

Amendment 3

Preamble to the second proposed regulation

‘Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank,

Whereas:’

Justification — See paragraph 2.5 of the opinion

(1) Bold in the body of the text indicates where the ECB proposes inserting new text.

(2) OJ L 19, 21.1.2005, p. 73.

7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/6

Euro exchange rates (1)

6 November 2008

(2008/C 283/03)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,2770
JPY	Japanese yen	124,86
DKK	Danish krone	7,4444
GBP	Pound sterling	0,80500
SEK	Swedish krona	10,0075
CHF	Swiss franc	1,4988
ISK	Iceland króna	205,00
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,7180
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	24,905
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	261,94
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7081
PLN	Polish zloty	3,6020
RON	Romanian leu	3,7130
SKK	Slovak koruna	30,310
TRY	Turkish lira	1,9530
AUD	Australian dollar	1,8773
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4972
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,8973
NZD	New Zealand dollar	2,1367
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,8953
KRW	South Korean won	1 706,07
ZAR	South African rand	12,6285
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	8,7155
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,1461
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	14 047,00
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,5250
PHP	Philippine peso	62,040
RUB	Russian rouble	34,4665
THB	Thai baht	44,689
BRL	Brazilian real	2,7305
MXN	Mexican peso	16,3328

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/7

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

(2008/C 283/04)

Aid No: XA 268/08

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Northern Ireland

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: The New Entrants Scheme for Young Farmers

Legal basis: Financial Assistance for Young Farmers (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (SI 2004/3080 (NI 21), the Financial Assistance for Young Farmers Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (SR 2005/69), the Financial Assistance for Young Farmers Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (SR 2005/540) and the Financial Assistance for Young Farmers Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (SR 2008/186)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

	Scheme entrants	Total participants	Average total loan repayments	Average annual loan repayments per applicant	Sum
2008/2009	95	95	15 994	3 199	0 (1)
2009/2010	0	95	15 994	3 199	303 905
2010/2011	0	95	15 994	3 199	303 905
2011/2012	0	95	15 994	3 199	303 905
2012/2013	0	95	15 994	3 199	303 905
2013/2014	0	95	15 994	3 199	303 905
Total amount of aid payable is GBP 1,6 million.

Maximum aid intensity: The scheme allows for an interest rate subsidy on loans taken out by young farmers. The maximum amount of aid available is GBP 17 000 over 5 years. The interest rate for which subsidy is payable is capped at 3,5 % above the Bank of England Base Rate (approximately 2,5 % above the Base Rate of local lending institutions). Applicants who secure loans above this rate are liable for the excess interest payment

Date of implementation: The scheme will start on 1 August 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The maximum duration of subsidised interest payment is 5 years and the final payments to the majority of Scheme participants will be made no later than 31 March 2014. However, as the Scheme permits applicants to draw down on a loan until 31 July 2010, it is possible that some payments will run into the 2015/2016 financial year. There is no restriction on the amount of loan or on the term of the loan, but the scheme will be closed to new entrants by 27 February 2009, or sooner if all available funds have been committed

Objective of aid: Sectoral development. In line with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, the eligible costs will be an interest rate subsidy on a loan to cover the costs of setting up for new entrant farmers under 40 years of age setting up as the head of holding for the first time. This will promote additional farm investment which will generate new activities or add value to farming in Northern Ireland

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to young farmers who will predominately be involved in production, although processing and marketing could make up part of the farm business. The scheme applies to all types of production.

This scheme applies to small and medium sized enterprises (SME) only as set out in Article 2(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Name and address of the granting authority: The statutory body responsible for the scheme is:

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Dundonald House

Upper Newtownards Road

Belfast BT4 3SB

United Kingdom

The organisation operating the scheme is:

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Dundonald House

Upper Newtownards Road

Belfast BT4 3SB

United Kingdom

Website: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/financial_assistance_for_young_farmers_scheme_in_northern_ireland.doc

Other information: Further and more detailed information relating to eligibility and rules for the scheme can be found in the web links above. This scheme is extending the duration of an existing scheme XA 123/07 but will not increase the cumulative expenditure above the original planned provision. In all other aspects the scheme remains the same. When this scheme comes into force XA 123/07 will be closed to new applications.

Signed and dated on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK Competent Authority)

Mr Neil Marr

UK Agricultural State Aid Adviser

DEFRA

Area 5D, 9 Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

Westminster

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom

Aid No: XA 291/08

Member State: Republic of Cyprus

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Σχέδιο Αγροτικής Πολιτικής της Αρχής Ηλεκτρισμού Κύπρου

Legal basis: Οι περί Αναπτύξεως Ηλεκτρισμού (Τροποποιητικοί) Κανονισμοί του 2008

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The available appropriations for 2008 total EUR 3 417 203. Operating costs for the Plan for the coming years will be covered by available appropriations from the budget of the Cyprus Electricity Authority

Maximum aid intensity: 60 % (for new farmers, as defined in Article 2(11) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 operating and/or living in less favoured areas, where investment is made within five years of their establishment)

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid: The provision of electricity to farm buildings involved in the process of primary production of agricultural products and which form part of the unit, such as livestock holdings, agricultural stores, water pumps, animal and bird housing buildings, water and waste processing installations, biological station installations and presses (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006)

Sector(s) concerned: All farming and livestock sectors involved in the primary production of agricultural products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Aρχή Ηλεκτρισμού Κύπρου

Αμφιπόλεως 11

Στρόβολος, Τ.Θ. 24506

CY-1399 Λευκωσία, Κύπρος

Website: www.moa.gov.cy/da

Other information: Participants for the Plan will be selected on the basis of the objective criteria set out therein

Aid No: XA 305/08

Member State: Spain

Region: Comunidad Valenciana

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU

Legal basis: Resolución de la Consellera de Agricultura Pesca y Alimentación, que concede la subvención basada en una línea nominativa descrita en la ley 15/2007 de presupuestos de la Generalitat

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 60 000 in 2008

Maximum aid intensity: 100 %

Date of implementation: From the date on which the registration number of the exemption request is published on the website of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Year 2008

Objective of aid: Project to provide technical assistance for the education and training of livestock owners and those working directly in the livestock sector for the year 2008.

The costs of organising the training programme, participants' travel and subsistence costs, the costs of renting premises, of publications, and of measures to disseminate scientific knowledge, provided that no companies or brands are mentioned, will be deemed to be included.

The eligible costs covered by the aid are those referred to in Article 15 (technical support in the agricultural sector) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Sector(s) concerned: Livestock owners and those working directly in the livestock sector

Name and address of the granting authority:

Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación

Amadeo de Saboya, 2

E-46010 Valencia

Other information: —

Website: http://www.agricultura.gva.es/especiales/ayudas_agrarias/pdf/UCH_CEU_2008 %20.pdf

Valencia, 18 July 2008.

Director-General for Agricultural Production

Laura PEÑARROYA FABREGAT

(1) As the aid is payable annually in arrears there will be no payments in year 1.

7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/10

OPEN CALL

European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)

(2008/C 283/05)

COST brings together researchers and experts in different countries working on specific topics. COST does NOT fund research itself, but supports networking activities such as meetings, conferences, short term scientific exchanges and outreach activities. Currently more than 200 scientific networks (Actions) are supported.

COST invites proposals for Actions contributing to the scientific, technological, economic, cultural or societal development of Europe. Proposals playing a precursor role for other European programmes and/or initiated by early-stage researchers are especially welcome.

Developing stronger links amongst European researchers is crucial to building the European Research Area (ERA). COST stimulates new, innovative, interdisciplinary and broad research networks in Europe. COST activities are carried out by research teams to strengthen the foundations for building scientific excellence in Europe.

COST is organised in nine broad Domains (Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences; Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies; Earth System Science and Environmental Management; Food and Agriculture; Forests, their Products and Services; Individuals, Society, Culture and Health; Information and Communication Technologies; Materials, Physical and Nanosciences; Transport and Urban Development). The intended coverage of each Domain is explained at: www.cost.esf.org.

Proposers are invited to locate their topic within one Domain. However, inter-disciplinary proposals not fitting readily into a single Domain are particularly welcome and will be assessed separately by the Trans-Domain Proposals Standing Assessment Body.

Proposals should include researchers from a minimum of five COST countries. Financial support in the range of EUR 100 000 p.a. for normally 4 years can be expected.

Proposals will be assessed in two stages. Preliminary Proposals (maximum 1 500 words/3 pages), submitted using the on-line template at: www.cost.esf.org/opencall should provide a brief overview of the proposal and its intended impact. Proposals not conforming to the eligibility criteria of COST (e.g. requesting research funding) will be excluded. Eligible Proposals will be assessed by the relevant Domain Committees in accordance with the published criteria at: www.cost.esf.org. Proposers of selected Preliminary Proposals will be invited to submit a Full Proposal. Full Proposals will be peer reviewed according to the assessment criteria at: www.cost.esf.org/opencall. The decision will normally be taken within six months of the collection date and the Actions should expect to start within three months thereafter.

The collection date for Preliminary Proposals is 27 March 2009. Approximately 80 Full Proposals will be invited for final selection of approximately 30 new Actions.

Full Proposals will be invited by 15 May 2009 for submission by 31 July 2009, with decisions expected in November 2009. The next collection date is envisaged for 25 September 2009.

Proposers may wish to contact their national COST Coordinator (CNC) for information and guidance — see: www.cost.esf.org/cnc

Proposals must be submitted on-line to the COST Office website.

COST receives financial support for its coordinating activities from the EU RTD Framework Programme. The COST Office, administered by the European Science Foundation (ESF), acting as the implementing agent for COST, provides the scientific secretariat for COST Domains and COST Actions.

7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/13

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5353 — ThyssenKrupp/ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 283/08)

On 29 October 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 ThyssenKrupp Services AG (Germany) belonging to the group ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe GmbH (Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for undertaking ThyssenKrupp Services AG: supplying materials, industrial services and commodities for production and manufacturing companies,

—	for undertaking ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe GmbH: sales of semi-finished plastic products and related services.

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.

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.5353 — ThyssenKrupp/ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/14

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5366 — Iberdrola Renovables/Gamesa Energía)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 283/09)

On 30 October 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 Iberdrola Renovables SA (‘Iberdrola Renovables’, Spain), belonging to the group Iberdrola, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Gamesa Energía S.A.U. (‘Gamesa Energía’, Spain), belonging to the group Gamesa by way of acquisition and contribution of assets.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for Iberdrola Renovables: generation and wholesale of renewable electricity,

—	for Gamesa Energía: promotion and development of wind farms for its sale to third parties.

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.

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.5366 — Iberdrola Renovables/Gamesa Energía, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

7.11.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 283/15

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 283/10)

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 of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PAGNOTTA DEL DITTAINO’

EC No: IT-PDO-0005-0577-07.12.2006

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Name

‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’

2. Member State or Third Country

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 2.4 — Bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, biscuits and other baker's wares

3.2. Description of the product to which the name in point 1 applies

‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ PDO is released for consumption in the traditional form of a round loaf weighing between 500 and 1 100 g or as a sliced, half loaf. The crust is between 3 and 4 mm thick and medium hard. The crumb is pale yellow, elastic, fine-grained, compact and uniform. The bread has a moisture content of no more than 38 % and maintains its organoleptic properties, such as its aroma, taste and freshness, for five days from the date of production.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only)

‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ PDO is bread produced using a particular method, employing natural leaven and durum-wheat flour of the varieties Simeto, Duilio, Arcangelo, Mongibello, Ciccio and Colosseo grown in the area referred to in point 4 below, which must account for at least 70 % of the total flour used. The remaining 30 % must be of durum wheat of the varieties Amedeo, Appulo, Bronte, Cannizzo, Cappelli, Creso, Iride, Latino, Norba, Pietrafitta, Quadrato, Radioso, Rusticano, Sant'Agata, Tresor or Vendetta grown in the production area.

The durum wheat used to make the flour must be grown from certified seed and meet the following minimum quality requirements: electrolytic weight > 78 kg/hl; protein (tot. N × 5,70) > 12 % of dry matter; moisture content < 12,5 %; gluten > 8 % of dry matter; yellow index > 17b minolta.

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only)

—

3.5. Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

Cultivation and harvest of the grain and production and packing of ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ PDO must take place within the production area referred to in point 4 below in order to guarantee product traceability and control and to maintain product quality and the characteristic properties described in point 3.2 above.

In order to preserve the product's quality characteristics, it must be packed immediately, within the defined geographical area, in micropore plastic film or in a modified atmosphere to ensure compliance with health and hygiene requirements while allowing the product to breathe.

3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ PDO is packed in micropore plastic film or in a modified atmosphere to ensure compliance with health and hygiene requirements while allowing the product to breathe.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

The label must show the ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ logo.

It is forbidden to add any description that is not expressly provided for. However, references to brand names may be used, on condition that they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser. The PDO logo, the features and colours of which are described in detail in the product specification, is rectangular and shows at bottom left two ears of durum wheat at right angles to each other, framing two loaves, one of which is whole and the other, placed above it, is a half loaf. Bottom right is the Community PDO logo. Above, in the centre of a rectangular box, in a single horizontal line, are the words ‘PAGNOTTA DEL DITTAINO DOP’ (‘PAGNOTTA DEL DITTAINO PDO’).

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The PDO is produced in an area comprising the municipalities of Agira, Aidone, Assoro, Calascibetta, Enna, Gagliano Castelferrato, Leonforte, Nicosia, Nissoria, Piazza Armerina, Regalbuto, Sperlinga, Valguarnera Caropepe and Villarosa in the Province of Enna and the municipalities of Castel di Iudica, Raddusa and Ramacca in the Province of Catania.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The grain used for the production of ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ is grown in an area with a typically Mediterranean climate. Rainfall varies considerably over the year and is concentrated in autumn and winter, with an annual averages of around 500 mm. Average monthly temperatures are highest in July and August and lowest in January and February, but temperatures only rarely fall low enough to damage crops (0 °C). The soils in which the durum wheat is grown are fairly loamy.

5.2. Specificity of the product

The application for recognition of the ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ Protected Designation of Origin is justified by the fact that it differs from other products of the same type, among other things, in the consistency of its crust and its light yellow, fine, compact and uniform crumb. Another characteristic of ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ PDO is its capacity to maintain its organoleptic properties, such as its aroma, taste and freshness, for five days.

In times gone by, the harvested grain used to be stored in special pits or storehouses and, naturally, protected from water. The cereal was not treated to protect against fungal infestations or against insect parasites. The grain would be taken to local mills for grinding as needed.

Today, durum wheat harvested in the defined area is just pre-cleaned to separate the grain from the straw and to remove impurities and foreign bodies and is then placed in silos and stored without the use of pesticides or chemical products. Only physical treatments are permitted at the mill (cooling with cold air and turning the grain).

These treatments prevent overheating of the grain, something that creates ideal conditions for the growth of mould, the formation of mycotoxins and the hatching of the eggs of insect parasites and that can cause the germination of caryopses.

The natural leaven is derived from a starter that is renewed as necessary. This involves taking one part of starter and mixing it with two parts of flour and one part of water. After kneading, this produces four pieces of rising dough. One of these will serve as a renovated starter and the other three are added to the bread mixture as a natural leaven after being left to ripen for at least five hours.

5.3. Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The special properties of ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ described in point 5.2 stem directly from the morphological characteristics, soil and climate of the production area referred to in point 4. Those properties are without any doubt due to and therefore closely linked to the durum wheat used as the main raw material in the production process, which, due to the soil and climate of the production area, has excellent quality and health characteristics (free from mycotoxins) and confers on ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ PDO its unique organoleptic properties.

Durum wheat, as historical sources relate, was always used in the area for bread-making, unlike in other parts of Italy where common wheat flour was and continues to be used, giving a product that conserved its principal organoleptic properties for a week.

This was the result of the use not only of durum wheat flour but also of ‘criscenti’ (natural leaven). The fermentation of the sourdough is based on a dynamic equilibrium between lactic bacteria and yeasts. The principal microbial species found are Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis (Lactobacillus brevis ssp. lindneri), Candida milleri and Saccharomyces exiguus.

Much of the evidence provided in ancient texts was gathered in the durum-wheat production area and has come, over time, to constitute a store of knowledge and traditions relating to cereal production and, in particular, bread-making.

Durum-wheat production in the areas of the interior of Sicily, including municipalities in the Provinces of Enna and Catania, is an important activity, not only because of the size of the area devoted to it but also because it involves land traditionally used for the dry cultivation of durum wheat. In those municipalities, because of both soil conditions and the climate, the only crop that has been able over the years to guarantee local farmers employment and a fair income is durum wheat.

Evidence of the important role played by durum wheat in the Sicilian diet is provided by Pliny the Elder in his ‘De Naturalis Historia’. While in other regions of Italy, flour was obtained from acorns, chestnuts or from other cereals, such as barley and rye, in Sicily farmers learned to make bread from wheat flour. According to Sonnino, people in the Sicilian countryside survived, despite serious shortages, by living on bread made from wheat flour.

Reference to publication of the specification

The Government launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising ‘Pagnotta del Dittaino’ as a protected designation of origin in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 75 of 30 March 2006.

The full text of the product specification is available on the following website:

www.politicheagricole.it/ProdottiQualita/Disciplinari_esame_UE.htm

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 283

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 51 7 November 2008

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions
	OPINIONS
	European Central Bank
2008/C 283/01	Opinion of the European Central Bank of 8 October 2008 on a proposal for two Council Regulations concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins (CON/2008/45)	1

	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Commission
2008/C 283/02	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5301 — Cap Gemini/BAS) ( 1 )	5

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Commission
2008/C 283/03	Euro exchange rates	6

	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2008/C 283/04	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001	7

	V Announcements
	ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
	Council
2008/C 283/05	Open call — European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)	10

	Commission
2008/C 283/06	Call for proposals for the ESPON 2013 Operational Programme	12

2008/C 283/07	Call for proposals for the ESPON 2013 Operational Programme	12

	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY
	Commission
2008/C 283/08	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5353 — ThyssenKrupp/ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	13

2008/C 283/09	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5366 — Iberdrola Renovables/Gamesa Energía) ( 1 )	14

	OTHER ACTS
	Commission
2008/C 283/10	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	15