1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/1

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6694 — Helvetia/Certain Parts of Gan Eurocourtage's Marine Insurance Portfolio)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 372/01

On 9 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 32012M6694. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/1

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6762 — Advent International Corporation/Mediq)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 372/02

On 27 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 32012M6762. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/2

Euro exchange rates (1)

30 November 2012

2012/C 372/03

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,2986
JPY	Japanese yen	107,37
DKK	Danish krone	7,4600
GBP	Pound sterling	0,81080
SEK	Swedish krona	8,6625
CHF	Swiss franc	1,2054
ISK	Iceland króna
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,3760
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	25,262
HUF	Hungarian forint	281,03
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6962
PLN	Polish zloty	4,1052
RON	Romanian leu	4,5148
TRY	Turkish lira	2,3213
AUD	Australian dollar	1,2474
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,2904
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	10,0643
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,5865
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,5859
KRW	South Korean won	1 406,31
ZAR	South African rand	11,4717
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	8,0899
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,5385
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	12 470,89
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	3,9475
PHP	Philippine peso	52,989
RUB	Russian rouble	40,1786
THB	Thai baht	39,867
BRL	Brazilian real	2,7391
MXN	Mexican peso	16,7648
INR	Indian rupee	70,6760

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

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/3

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/04

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

Date and time of closure	11.11.2012
Duration	11.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Portugal
Stock or group of stocks	WHB/8C3411
Species	Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou)
Zone	VIIIc, IX and X; EU waters of CECAF 34.1.1
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS/71/TQ44

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/3

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/05

Date and time of closure	11.11.2012
Duration	11.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Portugal
Stock or group of stocks	BET/ATLANT
Species	Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)
Zone	Atlantic Ocean
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS/72/TQ44

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/4

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/06

Date and time of closure	9.11.2012
Duration	9.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Denmark
Stock or group of stocks	LIN/3A/BCD
Species	Ling (Molva molva)
Zone	IIIa; EU waters of IIIbcd
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS74TQ43

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/4

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/07

Date and time of closure	6.11.2012
Duration	6.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Portugal
Stock or group of stocks	WHM/ATLANT
Species	White marlin (Tetrapturus albidus)
Zone	Atlantic Ocean
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS/70/TQ44

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/5

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/08

Date and time of closure	11.11.2012
Duration	11.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Portugal
Stock or group of stocks	PLE/8/3411
Species	Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
Zone	VIII, IX and X; EU waters of CECAF 34.1.1
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS73TQ43

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/5

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/09

Date and time of closure	6.11.2012
Duration	6.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Portugal
Stock or group of stocks	MAC/8C3411
Species	Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
Zone	VIIIc, IX and X; EU waters of CECAF 34.1.1
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS/69/TQ44

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/6

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2012/C 372/10

Date and time of closure	5.11.2012
Duration	5.11.2012-31.12.2012
Member State	Sweden
Stock or group of stocks	COD/04-N
Species	Cod (Gadus morhua)
Zone	Norwegian waters south of 62° N
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	FS67TQ44

(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/7

Vacancy notice for a Director (Grade AD 14) — Cedefop/2012/08/AD

2012/C 372/11

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Cedefop, is a body of the European Union located in Thessaloniki, Greece. It assists the European Commission and other stakeholders in encouraging the promotion and development of vocational education and training.

As Director, you will be responsible for directing, managing and representing Cedefop and you will be accountable to the Governing Board and the European Parliament. You must have a good understanding of the institutional framework of an EU organisation and enjoy working at a top level in an international environment. The contract is for a period of five years and may be renewed once.

The requirements for qualifications and experience are described in detail in the vacancy notice and include:

—	national of EU Member State,

—	be able to carry out a five-year mandate before reaching the mandatory retirement age,

—	university degree,

—	15 years of professional experience after graduation, including at least 5 years in a high-level management function,

—	good command of English and knowledge of other languages,

—	ability to lead an international organisation,

—	ability to interact and negotiate internationally at senior level with EU institutions, public authorities and social partners.

The application form can be found in the vacancy notice, available on Cedefop’s website (http://www.cedefop.europa.eu).

Applications must be submitted and postmarked not later than 25 January 2013.

An HR company will assist in the evaluation of applicants.

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/8

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6785 — General Motors France/SSPF/Auto Distribution Provence)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 372/12

On 26 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 General Motors France SAS (‘GM France’, France), belonging to General Motors Company (‘GM’, USA) and SSPF SAS (‘SSPF’, France), belonging to the Maurin Group (France), acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly constituted joint venture, Auto Distribution Provence SAS (‘ADP’, France), by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for GM France: mainly active in the importation and wholesale distribution of GM branded vehicles and the supply of GM branded original spare parts in France,

—	for SSPF: a holding company of the Maurin Group. The Maurin Group is active in the retail distribution of motor vehicles and related products and services as well as in the wholesale distribution of original spare parts of various brands.

3.	ADP will be active in the retail distribution of new Opel vehicles and used vehicles, in the provision of maintenance and repair services and in the supply of Opel branded products and services in France.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the 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 Merger Regulation (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 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6785 — General Motors France/SSPF/Auto Distribution Provence, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

(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’).

1.12.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 372/9

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

2012/C 372/13

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

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PLÁTANO DE CANARIAS’

EC No: ES-PGI-0005-0867-11.03.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name:

‘Plátano de Canarias’

2. Member State or Third Country:

Spain

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 product to which the name in (1) applies:

The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) ‘Plátano de Canarias’ covers bananas of the Cavendish variety of the species Musa acuminata Colla (AAA), grown in the Canary Islands to be eaten fresh after they have been selected and packed.

The colour of the skin varies from green when they are harvested to bright yellow when eaten, while the pulp ranges from shades of marble white through cream to yellow.

However, is it the brown flecks on the skin that have become an identifying feature and one of the ways consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

The enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase are highly active in ‘Plátano de Canarias’, acting as catalysts in oxidation that lead to browning of the skin. This characteristic becomes apparent as the bananas ripen, with brown flecks appearing on the skin, or greater susceptibility to bruising. The brown flecks on the skin are the distinguishing feature of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, ‘famous for its flecks’.

‘Plátano de Canarias’ is oblong shaped with a pronounced curve, becoming narrower where it joins the stem.

Grading, which is mandatory, is on the basis of length and thickness of the fruit, the minimum values being 14 cm and 27 mm respectively.

The most important chemical properties of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are as follows:

—	Starch ranging from 5 to 8.

—	Total sugars higher than 10 with predominance of sucrose.

Both the starch content and total sugar content are expressed in grams per 100 grams of ripe pulp.

The low starch content and high total sugar content are distinguishing features of the product.

The main distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are summarised below:

—	Intense, sweet taste owing to the high sugar and low starch contents.

—

Intense banana flavour (impacto plátano) resulting from the high isoamyl acetate and hexyl butanoate contents:

It is 3-methylbutyl acetate or isoamyl acetate that gives the product its characteristic, intense flavour (impacto a plátano). According to the studies available, the concentration of this compound is manifestly higher in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ than in bananas grown elsewhere. Likewise, ‘Plátano de Canarias’ contains other compounds that are linked with the typical banana flavour, such as hexyl butanoate. However this compound is imperceptible in bananas from elsewhere.

—	Typical dark flecks on the banana skin owing to high levels of activity of the enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, which act as catalysts in oxidation reactions that cause browning.

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:

‘Plátano de Canarias’ must be grown within the defined geographical area.

However, bananas covered by the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI may be ripened and packaged outside the defined geographical area.

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

There are no specific rules for ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:

The ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI name and logo must be clearly printed on the packaging, together with the European Union logo, and any other information generally required under the legislation in force.

The ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI logo is as follows:

—	Pantone 295 (blue), for the background.

—	Pantone 347 (green) for the banana leaves and the outline of the banana.

—	Pantone 109 (yellow) for the banana.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area:

The geographical area of production of the bananas covered by ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI is the archipelago of the Canary Islands and it comprises all agricultural land situated below 500 metres above sea level.

5. Link with the geographical area:

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:

The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27° 37′ and 29° 25′ north. This location combined with the trade winds and the cool Canary current result in a climate classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.

The average temperatures are fairly uniform throughout the year. On the coast, the average is around 20 °C, but at higher altitudes temperatures drop significantly and the daily fluctuation increases.

The mild temperatures and wet winds that blow over the islands are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant and longer ripening time, and have a considerable impact on the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

5.2. Specificity of the product:

‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI bananas are oblong in shape, with a pronounced curve, a minimum length of 14 cm, a minimum thickness of 27 mm, an intense, sweet taste and brown flecks on the skin.

These flecks are the identifying feature and main characteristic whereby consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

Technically, the flecks on the skin are caused by the activity of certain specific enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase.

In the supporting study that accompanies the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI application, the data for these parameters for ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is compared to that for bananas grown elsewhere, and it is clear that the values for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are much higher than in bananas grown elsewhere and this is why ‘Plátano de Canarias’ have many more flecks than other bananas, to the extent that they have become a distinguishing feature.

The same study examines the specificity of the product from a nutritional point of view, and comprehensive analysis of nutrients in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ and bananas grown in other parts of the world have revealed significant differences: ‘Plátano de Canarias’ contains less starch and more soluble sugars, which increases its sweetness. It also has more potassium and phosphorus and less sodium and calcium than bananas grown elsewhere. These important differences confirm the fact that ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is a different product compared to bananas grown in other parts of the world. (Forster et al. 2002)

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 grounds for applying for registration of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ as a Protected Geographical Indication are the quality, reputation and renown of the name. Nevertheless, the typical ‘Plátano de Canarias’ came about through a combination of historical, natural and human factors.

The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, at a latitude of between 27° 37′ and 29° 25′ north. The location has a decisive effect on the characteristics of the climate, which is classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.

The situation of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, in the centre of the subtropical band and to the west of the African continent, gives them specific climatic characteristics. The climate of the area where the archipelago is located results from the interaction of two sets of factors operating independently of one another. On the one hand, subtropical atmospheric dynamics, and on the other the fact that most of the islands have a sharp relief, are bathed in a cool ocean current and situated near a continental land mass.

The Canary Islands are on the geographical limit for banana growing and at the climatological limit, as the plant needs a warm temperature of 25-27 °C. At 16 °C the plant is affected and below 14 °C it stops growing.

The banana tree cycle is defined by the accumulation of degree-days above 14 °C, and this is why the mild temperatures of the Canary Islands and the wet winds that blow over the archipelago are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant in comparison with banana crops in the tropics.

The longer growing time and longer ripening period (up to three more months on the plant) determine the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, low starch and high sugar content, with a predominance of sucrose.

These conditions also determine the enzyme activity, with high levels of catalytic activity that causes the fruit to brown. Brown flecks appear on the skin, which are the distinguishing sign of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, ‘famous for its flecks’.

The characteristics of the fruit are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as light, temperature, water, soil, relative humidity, wind, etc. All these variables affect the physiological development of the plant, giving it the specific characteristics described above.

The geographical location of the Canary Islands in relation to the mainland market means that transportation time is very short, compared to that for bananas from other parts of the world, which means that the fruit can be cut or harvested at a more advanced stage of ripeness and therefore with better organoleptic characteristics and that a better quality product reaches the consumer.

The reputation and renown of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ has been vouched for by many historical references in the press, literature, etc.. Some examples from the press are set out below:

La Vanguardia newspaper, Tuesday 25 May 1921, page 11

‘… asks the Government to bring its influence to bear on the German authorities, so that they will authorise imports of Plátano de Canarias into Germany, which were prohibited months ago …’.

La Vanguardia newspaper, Tuesday 24 June 1930, page 32

‘Mr Matos, who understands how important banana production is to the Canary Islands, promised to ensure that his Ministry would do all it could to support this endeavour’.

La Vanguardia newspaper, Saturday 21 November 1970, page 8

‘The Plátano de Canarias promotion campaigns are starting again’.

Another example of the reputation and renown of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are the conclusions drawn from the ‘Estudio del Mercado del Plátano en España y Portugal’ (study of the banana market in Spain and Portugal) carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 2002, where it was concluded that it can be categorically stated that an absolute majority of consumers, regardless of sex, age, social class and place of residence, like bananas, which they spontaneously and immediately associate with the Canary Islands.

Publication reference of the specification:

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

http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/2011/025/005.html

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

		ISSN 1977-091X doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.372.eng
Official Journal of the European Union		C 372

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 55 1 December 2012

Notice No	Contents	page
	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2012/C 372/01	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6694 — Helvetia/Certain Parts of Gan Eurocourtage's Marine Insurance Portfolio) ( 1 )	1

2012/C 372/02	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6762 — Advent International Corporation/Mediq) ( 1 )	1

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2012/C 372/03	Euro exchange rates	2

	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2012/C 372/04	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	3

2012/C 372/05	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	3

2012/C 372/06	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	4

2012/C 372/07	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	4

2012/C 372/08	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	5

2012/C 372/09	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	5

2012/C 372/10	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	6

	V Announcements
	ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
	European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)
2012/C 372/11	Vacancy notice for a Director (Grade AD 14) — Cedefop/2012/08/AD	7

	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
	European Commission
2012/C 372/12	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6785 — General Motors France/SSPF/Auto Distribution Provence) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	8

	OTHER ACTS
	European Commission
2012/C 372/13	Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs	9