ISSN 1977-091X
doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2013.272.eng
Official Journal
of the European Union
C 272
English edition
Information and Notices
Volume 56
20 September 2013
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ISSN 1977-091X doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2013.272.eng |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272 |
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English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 56 |
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Notice No |
Contents |
page |
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II Information |
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INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 272/01 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 1 ) |
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2013/C 272/02 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6960 — SNCF/COMSA-EMTE/CRT) ( 1 ) |
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2013/C 272/03 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6950 — UPC/GPT/JV) ( 1 ) |
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IV Notices |
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NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 272/04 |
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2013/C 272/05 |
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2013/C 272/06 |
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2013/C 272/07 |
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Court of Auditors |
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2013/C 272/08 |
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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
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2013/C 272/09 |
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2013/C 272/10 |
Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries |
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V Announcements |
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OTHER ACTS |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 272/11 |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance |
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EN |
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II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/1 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU
Cases where the Commission raises no objections
(Text with EEA relevance)
2013/C 272/01
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Date of adoption of the decision |
23.8.2013 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.36888 (13/N) |
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Member State |
Poland |
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Region |
Miasto Kraków |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
PerkinElmer Shared Services Sp. z o.o. |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Individual aid |
PerkinElmer Shared Services Sp. z o.o. |
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Objective |
Regional development, Employment |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
Overall budget: PLN 1,23 million |
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Intensity |
2,66 % |
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Duration (period) |
Until 31.12.2017 |
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Economic sectors |
Business and other management consultancy activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
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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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Date of adoption of the decision |
18.7.2013 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.36944 (13/N) |
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Member State |
Ireland |
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Region |
— |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Extension of the Credit Union Resolution Scheme H2 2013 |
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Legal basis |
Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolutions) Act 2011 |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Remedy for a serious disturbance in the economy |
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Form of aid |
Guarantee, Direct grant |
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Budget |
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Intensity |
— |
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Duration (period) |
1.7.2013-31.12.2013 |
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Economic sectors |
Financial and insurance activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
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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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Date of adoption of the decision |
19.8.2013 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.37024 (13/N) |
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Member State |
Spain |
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Region |
— |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
State aid to dance, music and poetry |
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Legal basis |
Resolución de la Dirección General del INAEM por la que se convocan ayudas a la danza, la lírica y la música correspondientes al año 2014 |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Culture |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
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Intensity |
65 % |
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Duration (period) |
1.1.2014-31.12.2016 |
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Economic sectors |
Arts, entertainment and recreation |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
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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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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/4 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case COMP/M.6960 — SNCF/COMSA-EMTE/CRT)
(Text with EEA relevance)
2013/C 272/02
On 16 September 2013, 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:
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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, |
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in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32013M6960. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law. |
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/4 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case COMP/M.6950 — UPC/GPT/JV)
(Text with EEA relevance)
2013/C 272/03
On 16 September 2013, 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:
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— |
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, |
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in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32013M6950. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law. |
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/5 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
19 September 2013
2013/C 272/04
1 euro =
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Currency |
Exchange rate |
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USD |
US dollar |
1,3545 |
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JPY |
Japanese yen |
134,09 |
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DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4577 |
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GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,84200 |
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SEK |
Swedish krona |
8,5702 |
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CHF |
Swiss franc |
1,2333 |
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ISK |
Iceland króna |
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NOK |
Norwegian krone |
7,8420 |
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BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
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CZK |
Czech koruna |
25,735 |
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HUF |
Hungarian forint |
295,72 |
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LTL |
Lithuanian litas |
3,4528 |
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LVL |
Latvian lats |
0,7025 |
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PLN |
Polish zloty |
4,1828 |
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RON |
Romanian leu |
4,4503 |
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TRY |
Turkish lira |
2,6491 |
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AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,4261 |
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CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,3829 |
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HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
10,5023 |
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NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
1,6137 |
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SGD |
Singapore dollar |
1,6857 |
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KRW |
South Korean won |
1 453,69 |
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ZAR |
South African rand |
13,0449 |
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CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
8,2887 |
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HRK |
Croatian kuna |
7,6085 |
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IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
14 707,55 |
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MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
4,2714 |
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PHP |
Philippine peso |
58,179 |
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RUB |
Russian rouble |
42,8400 |
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THB |
Thai baht |
41,935 |
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BRL |
Brazilian real |
2,9605 |
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MXN |
Mexican peso |
17,0857 |
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INR |
Indian rupee |
83,8450 |
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/6 |
New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
2013/C 272/05
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by the Hellenic Republic
Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.
Issuing country: The Hellenic Republic
Subject of commemoration: 2 400th Anniversary of the founding of Plato’s Academy
Description of the design: Portrait of Plato (in profile). On the left: the words ‘2 400 years since the founding of Plato’s Academy’ and ‘Hellenic Republic’ in ancient Greek lettering. On the right: ‘2013’ and the monogram of the Greek Mint. In exergue, ‘ΣΤΑΜ’ (monogram of the author G. Stamatopoulos).
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: up to 750 000
Date of issue: Autumn 2013
(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1, for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.
(2) See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/7 |
New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
2013/C 272/06
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by the Hellenic Republic
Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.
Issuing country: The Hellenic Republic
Subject of commemoration: 100th anniversary of the union of Crete with Greece
Description of the design: The inner part of the coin depicts Cretan rebels raising the Greek flag, a symbolic representation of Crete’s struggle for Union with Greece. On the upper side, in circular sense and with capital letters the name of the issuing country ‘Hellenic Republic’ in Greek. Underneath the words: ‘100 years of the union of Crete with Greece’ in Greek. On the right: ‘1913-2013’ and the monogram of the Greek Mint. In exergue, ‘ΣΤΑΜ’ (monogram of the author G. Stamatopoulos).
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: up to 750 000
Date of issue: Autumn 2013
(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1, for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.
(2) See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/8 |
Commission notice on current State aid recovery interest rates and reference/discount rates for 28 Member States applicable as from 1 October 2013
(Published in accordance with Article 10 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 (OJ L 140, 30.4.2004, p. 1))
2013/C 272/07
Base rates calculated in accordance with the Communication from the Commission on the revision of the method for setting the reference and discount rates (OJ C 14, 19.1.2008, p. 6). Depending on the use of the reference rate, the appropriate margins have still to be added as defined in this Communication. For the discount rate this means that a margin of 100 basis points has to be added. The Commission Regulation (EC) No 271/2008 of 30 January 2008 amending the Implementing Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 foresees that, unless otherwise provided for in a specific decision, the recovery rate will also be calculated by adding 100 basis points to the base rate.
Modified rates are indicated in bold.
Previous table published in OJ C 210, 24.7.2013, p. 6.
|
From |
To |
AT |
BE |
BG |
CY |
CZ |
DE |
DK |
EE |
EL |
ES |
FI |
FR |
HR |
HU |
IE |
IT |
LT |
LU |
LV |
MT |
NL |
PL |
PT |
RO |
SE |
SI |
SK |
UK |
|
1.10.2013 |
… |
0,56 |
0,56 |
1,30 |
0,56 |
0,75 |
0,56 |
0,85 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
2,49 |
4,62 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,99 |
0,56 |
0,91 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
3,18 |
0,56 |
5,20 |
1,60 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,99 |
|
1.8.2013 |
30.9.2013 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
1,30 |
0,56 |
0,88 |
0,56 |
0,85 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
2,49 |
4,62 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
1,25 |
0,56 |
0,91 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
3,18 |
0,56 |
5,20 |
1,60 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,99 |
|
1.7.2013 |
31.7.2013 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
1,30 |
0,56 |
0,88 |
0,56 |
0,85 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
2,49 |
4,62 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
1,08 |
0,56 |
1,10 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
3,18 |
0,56 |
5,20 |
1,60 |
0,56 |
0,56 |
0,99 |
Court of Auditors
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/9 |
Special Report No 8/2013 ‘Support for the improvement of the economic value of forests from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development’
2013/C 272/08
The European Court of Auditors hereby informs you that Special Report No 8/2013 ‘Support for the improvement of the economic value of forests from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development’ has just been published.
The report can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the European Court of Auditors' website: http://eca.europa.eu
A hard copy version of the report may be obtained free of charge on request to the Court of Auditors:
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European Court of Auditors |
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Unit ‘Audit: Production of Reports’ |
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12, rue Alcide de Gasperi |
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1615 Luxembourg |
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LUXEMBOURG |
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Tel. +352 4398-1 |
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E-mail: eca-info@eca.europa.eu |
or by filling in an electronic order form on EU-Bookshop.
NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/10 |
Notifications under Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)
The possibility for a Member State to provide by law for an obligation to hold or carry papers and documents pursuant to Article 21(c)
2013/C 272/09
CROATIA
The obligation to carry ID documents and other documents for State border crossing for third-country nationals is laid down in Article 139(2) and (3) of the Aliens Act (Official Journal 130/2011, 74/2013). It is applied to all foreigners present on Croatian territory.
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/10 |
Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries
2013/C 272/10
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:
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Date and time of closure |
21.8.2013 |
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Duration |
21.8.2013-31.12.2013 |
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Member State |
Ireland |
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Stock or group of stocks |
PLE/7HJK. |
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Species |
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) |
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Zone |
VIIh, VIIj and VIIk |
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Type(s) of fishing vessels |
— |
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Reference number |
44/TQ39 |
(1) OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.
V Announcements
OTHER ACTS
European Commission
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20.9.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 272/11 |
Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
2013/C 272/11
This publication confers the right to oppose the amendment application, pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).
AMENDMENT APPLICATION
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006
on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2)
AMENDMENT APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9
‘CAROTA DELL'ALTOPIANO DEL FUCINO’
EC No: IT-PGI-0105-0988-17.04.2012
PGI ( X ) PDO ( )
1. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment
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— |
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Name of product |
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— |
☒ |
Product description |
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— |
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Geographical area |
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— |
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Proof of origin |
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— |
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Method of production |
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— |
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Link |
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— |
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Labelling |
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— |
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National requirements |
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— |
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Other |
2. Type of change
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— |
☒ |
Amendment to single document or summary sheet |
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— |
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Amendment to specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the single document nor the summary has been published |
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— |
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Amendment to specification that requires no amendment to the published single document (Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006) |
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— |
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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
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— |
The product specification states that the carrots eligible to become ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI must belong to the cultivars of Daucus carota L. derived from the varieties Maestro, Presto e Concerto (Vilmorin), Napoli (Bejo), Nandor (Clause) and Dordogne (SG). This provision excludes the use of other cultivars or hybrids available on the market which have demonstrated in the area of production that they not only have the same marketing and quality characteristics as those in the product specification for ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ but that in some cases they are better in terms of some agronomic aspects (greater resistance to disease) and of shelf-life. In the light of the above, therefore, the product specification should be amended to include the use of other cultivars and hybrids, provided that documented tests have proved that they conform to the quality parameters listed in the product specification for ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’. |
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— |
The ß-carotene values should be updated in view of the tests carried out on the ground. These tests have shown that the level of ß-carotene is influenced by the quality of the fertilisers used and in particular by the application technique. Higher ß-carotene levels result from the application of large amounts of nitrogen-based fertiliser, above all using the ‘fertirrigation’ method, shortly before harvesting. These practices, apart from being costly and not adding anything to the final product yield, often make the carrots more susceptible to disease, leading to a shorter shelf-life, and are not in keeping with the aim of reducing nitrogen inputs and of using agricultural water resources more responsibly. The ß-carotene level now proposed for ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ is more than 60 mg/kg. This level guarantees the specific nature of the product in the area where ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ is grown in that it is above the average value for carrots listed in the relevant literature. |
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— |
The carrots' protein content should be reduced from 1,2 % to 0,5 %. This lower protein level has no impact on quality, as the consumer does not consider carrots to be a major source of protein. The proposed level also has no impact on the product's marketing characteristics, its saleability or upon its consumer recognition. |
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— |
References to the ‘Extra’ and ‘Prima’ categories have been deleted due to the abrogation of Regulation (EC) No 730/1999 laying down the marketing standard for carrots. |
SINGLE DOCUMENT
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006
on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (3)
‘CAROTA DELL'ALTOPIANO DEL FUCINO’
EC No: IT-PGI-0105-0988-17.04.2012
PGI ( X ) PDO ( )
1. Name
‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’
2. Member State or Third Country
Italy
3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff
3.1. Product type
|
Class 1.6. |
Fruit, vegetables, cereals, fresh or processed |
3.2. Description of the product to which the name in point 1 applies
The PGI ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ refers to carrots from cultivars of the species Daucus carota L., derived from the following varieties: Maestro (Vilmorin); Presto (Vílmorin); Concerto (Vilmorin); Napoli (Bejo); Nandor (Clause) and Dordogne (SG).
Other cultivars belonging to the Nantese varietal group and related hybrids may also be used, provided the producers have demonstrated, through documented tests, conformity with the quality parameters of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI. The use of the Nantese varietal group and related hybrids to produce ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ is permitted subject to approval of the tests by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, which may require for that purpose the technical opinion of the inspection body or another body.
The product must have the following characteristics:
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— |
shape: cylindrical with a rounded tip, no root-hairs, |
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— |
colour: deep orange, including the neck, |
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— |
content of:
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|
— |
physical properties: crunchy, breaks cleanly. |
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 growing of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ must take place in the geographical production area defined under point 4.
3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.
The carrots must be transported within four hours of harvesting to the packaging centres where, before washing and packaging, they are chilled so as to maintain their crunchiness, colour and flavour.
3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling
The product must be sold in new packaging made of wood, cardboard or plastic, with a clearly visible label containing the following indications:
|
— |
the name ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’, followed by the abbreviation ‘IGP’ and the words ‘Indicazione geografica protetta’ in lettering at least twice as large as that of any other information on the label, |
|
— |
all details of the name, business name and address of the producing/packaging company and anything else required by the relevant legislation, |
|
— |
no other information is permitted. |
Products prepared using ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ with the PGI abbreviation as a raw material, even if it is prepared and processed, may be marketed in packaging bearing a reference to this designation without the Community logo, provided that:
|
— |
‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI, certified as such, is the sole component of the class of goods to which it belongs, |
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the users of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI are listed in an ad hoc register established, maintained and updated by the body authorised by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies and that they are monitored by the Ministry exclusively as regards the protected denomination. |
The non-exclusive use of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI permits only a reference to it, in accordance with the rules in force, as one of the ingredients of the product which contains it or into which it has been processed or manufactured.
Logo
The upper part of the logo consists of the words ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’ in green Pantone P.C.S. (S 274-1 CVS), outlined in black, in the font Cooper Blk Hd BT, with an obvious variation in height to represent high ground in the middle of the phrase (Altopiano) and lower ground at the end (Fucino). Below are the words ‘Indicazione geografica protetta’ in Arial Rounded MT Bold, in white surrounded by Pantone reflex blue. The EU symbol is to the left of the wording.
4. Concise definition of the geographical area
The production area of ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’ is the whole of the Altopiano del Fucino.
Its outer limit is defined by the Strada Provinciale Circonfucense and includes areas of land, subdivided by farm tracks and numbered plots, which are part of the following municipalities within the province of L'Aquila: Avezzano and surrounding villages; Celano and surrounding villages; Cerchio; Aielli; Collarmele; Pescina and surrounding villages; San Benedetto dei Marsi; Gioia nei Marsi and surrounding villages; Lecce dei Marsi; Ortucchio; Trasacco; Luco dei Marsi.
5. Link with the geographical area
5.1. Specificity of the geographical area
The Altopiano del Fucino, an area particularly well-known for vegetable production, is in south-central Italy, in the area known as the ‘Regione dei Parchi’ (region of the parks), Abruzzo.
The area is entirely flat, at a height of 700 m above sea level, 16 000 hectares in area, and surrounded by mountains of particular environmental interest such as those in the Abruzzo National Park, the Velino-Sirente Park and the Ernici and Simbruini parks.
Its agricultural origins go back to the end of the 19th century when Prince Alessandro Torlonia completed drainage of what was considered the third main lake of Italy: Il Lago del Fucino (the Lake of Fucino).
The soil is sandy-loam with a high level of active lime; the pH is between subalkaline and alkaline, with high levels of organic matter that can be attributed to the abundant manuring carried out by Fucino farmers every other year.
The climate is influenced by the presence of the surrounding mountain chains, the altitude and the relative humidity produced by the dense network of canals which ensure both that water needs are met during the growing season and that excess water is collected in winter. Essentially, winters are harsh and rainy while in the summer the whole area is affected by the heat, principally in July and the first half of August; and, as a result of the altitude, the temperature in the area varies considerably between night and day.
5.2. Specificity of the product
The ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’ is characterised by the shape of the root, which is mainly cylindrical with a rounded tip, free of root hairs and with no deep scarring where the leaves emerge, with a smooth skin and the whole root has an intense orange colour. Further characteristics can be found in terms of nutrients: carrots from the Altopiano del Fucino have high, well-balanced ascorbic acid (5 mg/kg) and total sugar contents.
The vitamins in the ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’ are another typical element which makes the product readily distinguishable: it contains high levels of thiamine, riboflavin and especially carotene.
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)
In the ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’, Fucino has found its primary crop, thanks in part to the unique qualities that the land itself gives the product.
Thanks to the climate and to the nature and typology of the soils, which are very loose and unstructured, the growing area gives ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’ the special organoleptic and nutritional qualities described above, qualities which are enjoyed and recognised by European consumers.
The wide availability of the product within the area in question has encouraged related activities of preparation and packaging of the product as well as the establishment of processing plants to make the carrots into cubes or juices. All of this has contributed to creating a system which combines the excellent soil and climatic conditions of the area with the high level of specialisation of workers within the sector, whether as farmers or sellers, and the wealth of processing facilities, all of which ensures that the area is renowned for its carrots.
Reference to the publication of the specification
(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (4))
The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposed amendments to the specifications for the ‘Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 51 of 1 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 alternatively:
by going directly 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’.
(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12. Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.
(3) Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.
(4) See footnote 3.