29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/1

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 369/01

Date of adoption of the decision	19.10.2011
Reference number of State Aid	SA.31709 (N 440/10)
Member State	Estonia
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Kalandustoodete tootjate ühenduse tegevuse alustamise toetus
Legal basis	— Põllumajandusministri 12. aprilli 2006. a määrus nr 43 „Kalandustoodete tootjate ühenduse tegevuse alustamise toetuse taotlemise ja taotluse menetlemise kord” — „Kalandusturu korraldamise seadus”
Type of measure	Scheme
Objective	Sectoral development (promotion of producer organisations for fisheries and aquaculture)
Form of aid	Direct aid
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 28 760 (EEK 450 000)   Annual budget: EUR 9 587 (EEK 150 000)
Intensity	2011/2012: 60 % 2012/2013: 40 % 2013/2014: 20 %
Duration (period)	Until 31.12.2014
Economic sectors	Fisheries and aquaculture sector
Name and address of the granting authority	Põllumajanduse Registrite ja Informatsiooni Amet Narva mnt. 3 51009 Tartu EESTI/ESTONIA
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/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm

Date of adoption of the decision	1.10.2012
Reference number of State Aid	SA.32606 (11/N)
Member State	Italy
Region	South-west Sardinia
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aiuto regionale alle imprese colpite dagli eventi meteorologici registrati nella prima decade di gennaio e in particolare nella giornata del 1o gennaio 2010 — area sud-ovest della Sardegna
Legal basis	— Legge regionale n. 3/2006 del 14 aprile 2006. — Decreto dell'Assessore dell'Agricoltora e Riforma Agro-Pastorale n. 2070 DecA/85 dell’11 agosto 2009. — Articolo 11 del Decreto dell'Assessore dell'Agricoltora e Riforma Agro-Pastorale n. 140/DecA/6 del 3 febbraio 2011
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	To grant financial aid to the fishing and fish farming industries following the adverse climatic event that occurred in the first ten days of January 2010, notably on 1 January 2010, in southwest Sardinia
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	EUR 2 000 000
Intensity	80 %
Duration (period)	2011
Economic sectors	Fisheries and fish farming
Name and address of the granting authority	Regione Autonoma della Sardegna Via Pessagno 4 09126 Cagliari CA ITALIA
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/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm

Date of adoption of the decision	26.9.2012
Reference number of State Aid	SA.35104 (12/N)
Member State	France
Region	The whole of France
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aide à la cessation d'activité des pêcheurs professionnels en eau douce impactés par le plan national de l'anguille et des PCB
Legal basis	Circulaire relative à la mise en place de l'aide à la cessation d'activité pour les pêcheurs professionnels en eau douce concernés par les interdictions de commercialisation des poissons du fait de la pollution par les PCB et/ou par les mesures relatives à la pêche mises en œuvre dans le cadre du plan de la gestion de l'anguille, pris en application du règlement européen 1100/2007
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Change in the method of calculating aid for the cessation of activities granted to professional freshwater fishermen affected by the national plan on eel management and PCBs
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 7 348 372
Intensity	90 %
Duration (period)	Three years (2012, 2013, 2014)
Economic sectors	A 30102 Freshwater fishing
Name and address of the granting authority	Ministère de l'écologie, du développement durable, des transports et du logement Direction générale de l'eau et de la biodiversité La Grande Arche 92055 La Défense — Cedex FRANCE
Other information	Amendment of Aid SA.33600 (11/N), authorised by Commission decision of 25 April 2012

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/4

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 369/02

Date of adoption of the decision	6.10.2011
Reference number of State Aid	SA.31192 (N 289/10)
Member State	France
Region	France	Non-assisted areas
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aide en faveur des entreprises d’élevage piscicole pour l’enlèvement et l’élimination des animaux trouvés morts
Legal basis	— Articles L. 226-1 à L. 226-8, R. 226-1 à R. 226-3, R. 226-5 à R. 226-8, R. 226-11 à R. 226-13 et R. 228-12 à R. 228-14 du Code rural et de la pêche maritime — Décret no 2005-1220 du 28 septembre 2005, pris pour l’application de l’article L. 226-1 du code rural, modifié par le décret no 2009-872 du 16 juillet 2009 — Projet de circulaire DPMA/SDAEP/C2010
Type of measure	Scheme	—
Objective	Sectoral development
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 1,40 million   Annual budget: EUR 1,40 million
Intensity	40 %
Duration (period)	3.9.2010-31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All economic sectors eligible to receive aid
Name and address of the granting authority	Ministère de l'alimentation, de l'agriculture et de la pêche 3 place de Fontenoy 75007 Paris FRANCE
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/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/5

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6699 — MEP/Walach Bros/Walmark)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 369/03

On 21 November 2012, 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:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/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 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6699. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/5

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6713 — Tech Data/Specialist Distribution Group/ETC Metrologie/Best'Ware France/SDG BV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 369/04

On 24 October 2012, 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:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/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 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6713. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/6

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Euro exchange rates (1)

28 November 2012

2012/C 369/05

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,2891
JPY	Japanese yen	105,44
DKK	Danish krone	7,4592
GBP	Pound sterling	0,80687
SEK	Swedish krona	8,6174
CHF	Swiss franc	1,2033
ISK	Iceland króna
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,3415
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	25,265
HUF	Hungarian forint	281,10
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6965
PLN	Polish zloty	4,1076
RON	Romanian leu	4,5156
TRY	Turkish lira	2,3101
AUD	Australian dollar	1,2339
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,2823
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,9908
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,5710
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,5775
KRW	South Korean won	1 403,25
ZAR	South African rand	11,4339
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	8,0260
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,5505
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	12 403,25
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	3,9351
PHP	Philippine peso	52,695
RUB	Russian rouble	40,1530
THB	Thai baht	39,614
BRL	Brazilian real	2,6947
MXN	Mexican peso	16,8552
INR	Indian rupee	71,5000

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(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/7

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Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union

2012/C 369/06

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 Union (2) are amended as follows:

On page 335:

8504 40 30

Of a kind used with telecommunication apparatus, automatic data-processing machines and units thereof The second paragraph is replaced by the following: ‘Static converters for telecommunication apparatus or for automatic data-processing machines and units thereof serve to convert, for example, the alternating current (AC) drawn from the mains supply into the requisite direct current (DC).’

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(1)  OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 137, 6.5.2011, p. 1.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/8

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Special report to the European Parliament made in accordance with Article 3(7) of the Statute of the European Ombudsman (1)

2012/C 369/07

The European Ombudsman addressed one special report to the European Parliament in 2012:

Special Report of 14 May 2012 following the European Ombudsman's inquiry into complaint 2591/2010/GG against the European Commission.

The text of the special report is available on the European Ombudsman's website at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu

Paper copies can be requested free of charge from the European Ombudsman's office:

1 avenue du Président Robert Schuman

CS 30403

67001 Strasbourg Cedex

FRANCE

Tel. +33 388172313

Fax +33 388179062

E-mail: eo@ombudsman.europa.eu

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(1)  Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom of the European Parliament of 9 March 1994 on the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman's duties, OJ L 113, 4.5.1994, p. 15.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/9

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Annual Report 2011

2012/C 369/08

The European Ombudsman has presented his Annual Report for the year 2011 to the European Parliament.

The Annual Report as well as a shorter version are available on the European Ombudsman's website in all 23 official languages at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu

Paper copies of these publications can be requested free of charge from the European Ombudsman's office:

1 avenue du Président Robert Schuman

CS 30403

67001 Strasbourg Cedex

FRANCE

Tel. +33 388172313

Fax +33 388179062

E-mail: eo@ombudsman.europa.eu

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/10

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Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1j of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General Block Exemption Regulation))

2012/C 369/09

PART I

Aid No	GBER 9/12/R&D
EFTA State	Norway
Granting authority	Name	Avinor AS
	Address	Postboks 150 2061 Gardermoen NORWAY
	Webpage	http://www.avinor.no
Title of the aid measure	Research on remote & virtual tower technology
National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication)	Contract
Web link to the full text of the aid measure	http://www.avinor.no/avinor/presse/_nyhetsarkiv?SAMARBEIDSAVTALE_MELLOM_AVINOR_OG_KONGSBERG&id=181-146949
	Ad hoc aid	Name of the beneficiary: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS
Date of granting	Ad hoc aid	21 June 2012
Type of beneficiary	SME
	Large enterprises	X
Budget	Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme	NOK … million
	Overall amount of the ad hoc aid awarded to the undertaking	MNOK 2,5
Aid instrument (Article 5)	Grant	MNOK 2
	Other (please specify)	500 working hours at NOK 1 000 = NOK 500 000

PART II

General objectives (list)	Objectives (list)		Maximum aid intensity in % or Maximum aid amount in NOK	SME — bonuses in %
Aid for research, development and innovation (Articles 30-37)	Aid for research and development projects (Article 31)	Fundamental research (Article 31(2)(a))	… %
		Industrial research (Article 31(2)(b))	50 %
		Experimental development (Article 31(2)(c))	… %

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/12

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 25 April 2012

in Case E-13/11

Granville Establishment v Volker Anhalt, Melanie Anhalt and Jasmin Barbaro, née Anhalt

(Jurisdiction agreements — Freedom to provide and receive services — Discrimination on grounds of nationality — Justification — Remedies for non-conformity with EEA law)

2012/C 369/10

In Case E-13/11 Granville Establishment v Volker Anhalt, Melanie Anhalt and Jasmin Barbaro, née Anhalt — REQUEST to the Court under Article 34 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice by Fürstliches Landgericht (Princely Court of Justice), Liechtenstein, concerning the interpretation of Articles 4 and 36 of the EEA Agreement with regard to the Liechtenstein Jurisdiction Act, the Court, composed of Carl Baudenbacher, President, Per Christiansen and Páll Hreinsson (Judge-Rapporteur), Judges, gave judgment on 25 April 2012, the operative part of which is as follows:

—	Article 36 EEA precludes a provision of domestic law, such as Section 53a(1) of the Jurisdiction Act, which accords only nationals the right not to be sued abroad on the basis of a jurisdiction agreement unless that jurisdiction agreement has been publicly recorded.

—

It is for the national court, as far as possible, to interpret and apply the relevant provisions of national law in such a way that it is possible duly to remedy the consequences of the breach of EEA law. In that context, it is for the national court to determine whether the provisions of the Jurisdiction Act or any other national provisions can be applied for the purposes of an interpretation in conformity with EEA law.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/13

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 16 July 2012

in Case E-9/11

EFTA Surveillance Authority v the Kingdom of Norway

(Failure of an EEA State to fulfill obligations — Right of establishment — Free movement of capital — Ownership limitations and voting right restrictions in financial services infrastructure institutions — Proportionality — Legal certainty)

2012/C 369/11

In Case E-9/11, EFTA Surveillance Authority v the Kingdom of Norway — APPLICATION for a declaration that by maintaining in force restrictions on the rights of persons and undertakings established in EEA States to own holdings and exercise voting rights in financial services infrastructure institutions in Norway, such as provided for in Sections 35(1), (2), and (3) and 36 of the Act of 29 June 2007 No 74 on Regulated Markets (the Stock Exchange Act) and Sections 5-3(1), (2) and (3) and 5-4 of the Act of 5 July 2002 on the Registration of Financial Instruments (the Securities Depositories Act), the Kingdom of Norway has failed to fulfil its obligations arising from Articles 31 EEA and 40 EEA, the Court, composed of Carl Baudenbacher, President and Judge-Rapporteur, Per Christiansen and Páll Hreinsson, Judges, gave judgment on 16 July 2012, the operative part of which is as follows:

The Court hereby:

1.

Declares that, by maintaining in force restrictions on the rights of persons and undertakings established in EEA States to own holdings and exercise voting rights in financial services infrastructure institutions in Norway, such as provided for in Sections 35(1), (2) and (3), and 36 of the Act of 29 June 2007 No 74 on Regulated Markets (the Stock Exchange Act) and Sections 5-3(1), (2) and (3), and 5-4 of the Act of 5 July 2002 on the Registration of Financial Instruments (the Securities Depositories Act), the Kingdom of Norway has failed to fulfil its obligations arising from Articles 31 and 40 of the EEA Agreement.

2.	Orders the Kingdom of Norway to pay the costs of the proceedings.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/14

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Action brought on 4 September 2012 by the Government of Iceland against the EFTA Surveillance Authority

(Case E-9/12)

2012/C 369/12

An action against the EFTA Surveillance Authority was brought before the EFTA Court on 4 September 2012 by the Government of Iceland, represented by Jóhanna Bryndís Bjarnadóttir, Counsellor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, acting as agent, Haraldur Steinþórsson, Legal Officer at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, acting as co-agent, and Dóra Sif Tynes, Attorney at Law, acting as Counsel.

The Applicant seeks a declaration by the EFTA Court that:

1.	Article 5 of the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 261/12/COL of 4 July 2012 concerning municipal tax measures; the sale of real estate; and the sale of electricity to Verne Holdings ehf. is annulled;

2.	Article 6 of the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 261/12/COL of 4 July 2012 concerning municipal tax measures; the sale of real estate; and the sale of electricity to Verne Holdings ehf. is void as concerns the reference to Article 5; and

3.	The EFTA Surveillance Authority is ordered to pay the full legal costs of the proceedings.

Legal and factual background and pleas in law adduced in support:

—

The Applicant, the Government of Iceland, seeks a partial annulment of the EFTA Surveillance Authority's Decision No 261/12/COL, adopted by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) on 4 July 2012 the contested decision. The contested decision was adopted following ESA's Decision No 418/10/COL of 3 November 2010 to open a formal investigation procedure.

—

The case concerns the application of Article 61(1) EEA and the EFTA Surveillance Authority's State Aid Guidelines on State aid elements in the sales of land and buildings by public authorities, on the sale of real estate in the former US military area in the Reykjanes peninsula by the Icelandic State.

—

The Applicant claims, inter alia, that the EFTA Surveillance Authority: — failed to demonstrate on the basis of facts or evidence that the real estate was sold below its market value. Therefore, the sale did not result in an economic advantage to the buyer and State aid is not present, — failed to investigate the sale adequately and manifestly erred in the assessment of the alleged state aid, and — failed to state adequate reasons in the contested decision.

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/15

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6793 — AEA/OTPP/Dematic)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 369/13

1.

On 23 November 2012, 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 AEA Investors LP (‘AEA’, USA) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (‘OTPP’, Canada) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of the undertaking of Dematic Holding Sárl (‘Dematic’, Luxemburg) by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for AEA: private equity investment group with primary business activity of identifying investment opportunities for investors, structuring investment transactions through investment vehicles, on behalf of the general partners of its funds, and managing and disposing of such investments to create returns for investors in its funds, — for OTPP: administering the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and managing its investments, — for Dematic: designing, manufacturing, integrating and servicing automated handling systems which are used in warehousing and distribution operations.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (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 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6793 — AEA/OTPP/Dematic, to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry J-70 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘EC Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

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29.11.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 369/16

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Publication of an amendment 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

2012/C 369/14

This publication confers the right to object to the amendment 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.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

AMENDMENT APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9

‘ARANCIA ROSSA DI SICILIA’

EC No: IT-PGI-0117-0998-15.05.2012

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment:

—		Name of product
—	☒	Product description
—		Geographical area
—		Proof of origin
—		Production method
—		Link
—	☒	Labelling
—		National requirements
—		Other

2.   Type of change:

—		Amendment to single document or summary sheet
—	☒	Amendment to specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the single document nor the summary has been published
—		Amendment to specification that requires no amendment to the published single document (Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)
—		Temporary amendment to specification resulting from imposition of obligatory sanitary or phytosanitary measures by public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

3.   Amendment(s):

3.1.   Product description:

—

Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 lays down minimum values for the ratio of soluble solids to organic acid in fruit. Following the Regulation's entry into force, the values previously indicated in the product specification had to be reviewed. Thus, for the three varieties in question, a minimum value of 8 has been set for the soluble solids to organic acid ratio.

—	Oranges of sizes 5 to 10, intended exclusively for processing into juice and squash, have been included in the product description. These oranges have the same organoleptic properties as the bigger oranges, but their smaller size make them especially suited for pressing.

3.2.   Labelling:

—

A certain tolerance margin is provided for as regards individual stickers on packaged fruit. It can be the case that not every fruit in a box bears a sticker, for example where an automatic labelling machine fails to label all the fruit around the edges of a box or where the sticker does not adhere properly to the surface of the fruit.

—

It has been specified that oranges of sizes 5 to 10 are not to be labelled with stickers. The presence of stickers on such fruit, which is intended for processing into juice and squash, could in fact impede the pressing process, due to the risk that the stickers could adhere to parts of the fruit press, thereby slowing or obstructing its operation.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ARANCIA ROSSA DI SICILIA’

EC No: IT-PGI-0117-0998-15.05.2012

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

Class 1.6.

Fruit, vegetables, cereals, fresh or processed

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

The protected geographical indication ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ is restricted to the following pure varieties grown in the geographical area of the Region of Sicily defined in point 4:

—	Tarocco, with the following cultivars: Tarocco Comune, Tarocco Galice, Tarocco Gallo, Tarocco dal Muso, Tarocco Nucellare 57-1E-1, Tarocco Nucellare 61-1E-4, Tarocco Catania, Tarocco Scirè,

—	Moro, with the following cultivars: Moro Comune, Moro di Lentini, Moro Nucellare 58-8D-1,

—	Sanguinello, with the following cultivars: Sanguinello Comune, Sanguinello Moscato, Sanguinello Moscato Nucellare 49-5-3, Sanguinello Moscato Nucellare 49-5-5, Sanguinello Moscato Cuscunà.

When released for consumption, the ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ must have the following properties:

‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ — Tarocco: — minimum diameter: 73/84 mm, — minimum size: 5, — shape: oval round with a more or less prominent base (long or short ‘snout’), — colour of peel: neutral orange, with some parts a maroon colour of varying intensity and with a very smooth surface, — flesh: amber in colour, with red streaks that vary in intensity according to the zone of production and the time of harvest, — colour of juice: blood red owing to water-soluble pigments (anthocyanins) in the flesh and peel, — soluble solids to organic acid ratio: not less than 8,0, — sugar content of juice, expressed in g/100 ml: minimum 10,0.

‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ — Moro: — minimum diameter: 70/80 mm, — minimum size: 6, — shape: round or egg-shaped, — colour of peel: orange with nuances of wine red, more pronounced on one side of the fruit, — flesh: uniformly dark wine red in colour and rather acid, — colour of juice: blood red owing to water-soluble pigments (anthocyanins) in the flesh and peel, — soluble solids to organic acid ratio: not less than 8,0, — sugar content of juice, expressed in g/100 ml: minimum 10,0.

‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ — Sanguinello: — minimum diameter: 70/80 mm, — minimum size: 6, — shape: round for the Sanguinello Moscato and Sanguinello Moscato Cuscunà cultivars, — colour of peel: maroons of varying intensity, with a slightly rough surface, — flesh: amber in colour, with red streaks that vary in intensity according to the zone of production and the time of harvest, — colour of juice: blood red owing to water-soluble pigments (anthocyanins) in the flesh and peel, — soluble solids to organic acid ratio: not less than 8,0, — sugar content of juice, expressed in g/100 ml: minimum 9,0.

‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ intended for processing into squash and juice: For the purpose of producing squash and juice only, it is permitted to use oranges of a size ranging from the minimum size fixed for each variety and size 10 (min. 60 mm in diameter). All other requirements laid down for the individual varieties, with the exception of the minimum diameter and size, remain applicable.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only):

—

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

All stages in the production of the ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ up to the harvesting of the fruit must be carried out exclusively within the geographical area identified in point 4.

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

—

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

The ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ can be released for consumption on condition that at least 80 % of the fruit bear the sticker ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’.

For oranges of a size between the minimum size for each variety and size 10 (min. 60 mm in diameter) which are intended for processing into squash and juice, the labelling of each fruit is not required. All packaging, or the single packages it contains, including nets and the like, must bear, in clear, indelible characters that are easily distinguishable from all other writing on the label, the words ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’, immediately followed by the name of the variety (Tarocco, Moro or Sanguinello).

The words ‘protected geographical indication’ must appear directly underneath.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The production area of the ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ is the geographical area of eastern Sicily which is suitable for growing pigmented oranges, defined as follows:

—	Province of Catania: Catania, Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Caltagirone, Castel di Judica, Grammichele, Licodia Eubea, Mazzarrone, Militello Val di Catania, Mineo, Misterbianco, Motta Sant'Anastasia, Palagonia, Paterno', Ramacca, Santa Maria di Licodia and Scordia,

—	Province of Siracusa: Lentini, Francofonte, Carlentini including the village of Pedagaggi, Buccheri, Melilli, Augusta, Priolo, Siracusa, Floridia, Solarino and Sortino,

—	Province of Enna: Centuripe, Regalbuto and Catenanuova.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The area where the ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ is grown is characterised by intense sun exposure during the day, low temperatures at night due to chilly air currents from the volcanic massif of Mount Etna, and low precipitation levels. These are optimal conditions for growing high-quality oranges of the Sanguinello, Tarocco and Moro varieties.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

The ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ is characterised by the sweetness and deep colour of its epicarp and flesh. It is particularly appreciated for its flesh, which gives a blood-red juice when pressed, thanks to its red streaks of varying intensity.

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):

Citrus fruit growing has a very long tradition in Sicily, as documented by sources dating back to the time of Arab rule. More particularly, the hills and plain surrounding Mount Etna have seen the development and refinement of an orange-growing tradition with its own distinctive traits.

The effect on the oranges of the considerable temperature variations in this area is a remarkable accumulation of sugars and anthocyanin pigments, which gives the fruit a very pleasant aspect thanks to the deep colour of the epicarp and a characteristic, sweet taste. Over the centuries the Sanguinello, Tarocco and Moro varieties have become ever better adapted to the environment where the ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ is grown. The ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ therefore offers a very clear example of the strong link that exists between the climatic conditions of a growing area and the characteristics of the product. In fact, the same varieties of orange grown in other climates do not possess the characteristic colour and specific organoleptic properties to which the ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ owes its reputation.

Reference to publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising the protected geographical indication ‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’ in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 67 of 20 March 2012:

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

http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or

by going direct to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (http://www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità e sicurezza’ (in the top right-hand corner of the screen) and then on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

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(1)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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