Communication of the European Parliament concerning the European Citizen's Prize — CIVI EUROPAEO PRAEMIUM

(2016/C 239/01)

The Chancellery of the European Citizens' Prize held its annual meeting on 1 June 2016 with Ms Sylvie Guillaume, Vice-President of the European Parliament, in the chair.

At that meeting the following list of prize winners for 2016 was drawn up.

The prizes will be awarded at public award ceremonies in the Member States where laureates are based, and will be organised by the Information offices of the European Parliament. The laureates will also meet at the European Parliament in Brussels for a central event on 12 October 2016.

CIVI EUROPAEO PRAEMIUM

Laureates/Winners

Euro exchange rates (1)

30 June 2016

(2016/C 239/02)

1 euro =

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

Communication from the Government of the Republic of Poland concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons

(2016/C 239/03)

PUBLIC INVITATION TO BID FOR A CONCESSION FOR THE PROSPECTION AND EXPLORATION OF NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS AND THE EXTRACTION OF NATURAL GAS IN THE ‘BYTÓW’ AREA

SECTION I: LEGAL BASIS

SECTION II: ENTITY INVITING BIDS

SECTION III: SUBJECT OF THE PROCEDURE

1)   type of activities for which the concession is to be granted:

Concession for the prospection and exploration of natural gas deposits and the extraction of natural gas in the ‘Bytów’ area, concession blocks 47, 48, 67 and 68.

2)   area within which the activities are to be conducted:

The boundaries of the area covered by this bidding procedure are defined by lines joining points with the following coordinates in the PL-1992 coordinate system:

The surface area of the vertical projection of the area covered by this bidding procedure is 779,97 km2.

The area covered by the bidding procedure is located in the following districts and municipalities in Pomorskie Province:

The aim of the works to be carried out in Palaeozoic formations is to document and extract natural gas deposits in the area described above.

3)   time limit, not less than 90 days from the date of publication of the notice, and place for the submission of bids:

Bids must be submitted to the headquarters of the Ministry of the Environment no later than 16:00 CET/CEST on the last day of the 91-day period commencing on the day following the date of publication of the notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

4)   detailed bid specifications, including the bid evaluation criteria and a specification of their weighting, ensuring that the conditions referred to in Article 49k of the Geological and Mining Law Act of 9 June 2011 are fulfilled:

Bids may be submitted by entities in respect of which a decision has been issued confirming the positive outcome of a qualification procedure, as provided for in Article 49a(16)(1) and (2) of the Geological and Mining Law Act, independently, or as the operator if several entities are applying jointly for the concession.

Bids received will be evaluated by the bid evaluation committee on the basis of the following criteria:

If, following the evaluation of bids on the basis of the criteria specified above, two or more bids obtain the same score, the amount of the fee for the establishment of mining usufruct rights due during the prospection and exploration phase will be used as an additional criterion allowing a final choice to be made between the bids concerned.

5)   minimum scope of geological information:

6)   commencement date of activities:

The activities covered by the concession will commence within 14 days from the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final.

7)   conditions for granting the concession, in particular concerning the amount, scope and manner of providing the security referred to in Article 49x(1) of the Geological and Mining Law Act and, where justified, the amount, scope and manner of providing the security referred to in Article 49x(2) of that Act:

The successful bidder is required to provide a security covering non-compliance or inadequate compliance with the conditions laid down in the concession and for financing the closure of mine workings if the concession expires, is withdrawn or becomes invalid. This security is to be provided for the period from the date on which the concession is granted until the end of the prospection and exploration phase. The amount of the security is PLN 100 000. The form and date of its payment are governed by Article 49x(4) and (5) of the Geological and Mining Law Act.

8)   minimum scope of geological works, including geological operations, or mining operations:

The minimum programme of geological works proposed for the prospection and exploration phase comprises:

Stage I duration: 12 months

scope: interpreting and analysing archival geological data

Stage II duration: 12 months

scope: executing 2D seismic surveys (100 km) or drilling one borehole to a maximum depth of 5 000 m, with mandatory coring of prospective intervals

Stage III duration: 24 months

scope: drilling one borehole to a maximum depth of 5 000 m, with mandatory coring of prospective intervals

Stage IV duration: 12 months

scope: analysing the data obtained

9)   period for which the concession is to be granted:

The concession period is 10 years, including:

10)   specific conditions for carrying out the activities and for ensuring public safety, public health, environmental protection and rational management of deposits:

Implementation of the concession work programme must not infringe landowners' rights and does not remove the need to comply with other requirements laid down in legislation, in particular the Geological and Mining Law Act, and requirements regarding land use, environmental protection, agricultural land and forests, nature, waters and waste.

During the assessment of the draft decision and the geological data pack, an objection was raised by the municipality of Parchowo regarding the siting of the prospection and exploration works for the planned concession within its boundaries.

11)   model agreement on the establishment of mining usufruct rights:

The model agreement is attached as an annex hereto.

12)   information concerning the amount of the fee for establishing mining usufruct rights:

The minimum amount of the fee for establishing mining usufruct rights for the ‘Bytów’ area during the five-year base period is PLN 165 759,22 (in words: one hundred and sixty-five thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine zlotys and twenty-two grosz) per annum. The annual the fee for establishing mining usufruct rights for the purpose of the prospection and exploration of minerals is indexed to average annual consumer price indices set cumulatively for the period from the conclusion of the agreement until the year preceding the date for payment of the fee, as announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office in the Monitor Polski (Official Gazette) (Article 49h(3)(12) of the Geological and Mining Law Act).

13)   information concerning requirements to be met by bids and documents required from bidders:

14)   information concerning the manner of lodging a deposit, the amount of the deposit and the payment date:

Bidders are required to lodge a deposit of PLN 1 000 (in words: one thousand zlotys) before the expiry of the time limit for the submission of bids.

SECTION IV: ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

IV.1)   Bid evaluation committee

A bid evaluation committee is appointed by the concession authority for the purpose of conducting the bidding procedure and selecting the most advantageous bid. The composition and rules of procedure of the committee are specified in the Cabinet Regulation of 28 July 2015 on bidding procedures for concessions for the prospection and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits and the extraction of hydrocarbons, and for concessions for the extraction of hydrocarbons (Journal of Laws 2015, item 1171). The bid evaluation committee submits a report on the bidding procedure to the concession authority for approval. Together with bids and all documents related to the bidding procedure, the report is open to other entities submitting bids.

IV.2)   Additional explanations

Within seven days from the date of publication of the notice, an interested entity may request the concession authority to provide explanations concerning the detailed bid specifications. Within seven days from the receipt of the request, the concession authority will publish the explanations in the Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej (Public Information Bulletin), on the page of the administrative office subordinate to that authority.

IV.3)   Additional information

Full information about the area covered by the bidding procedure has been compiled by the Polish Geological Service in the Pakiet danych geologicznych (Geological Data Pack), which is available on the Ministry of the Environment website (www.mos.gov.pl) and from the

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7932 — Dow/DuPont)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 239/04)

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

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8106 — Jones Lang LaSalle/Integral UK Holding)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 239/05)

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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8086 — Sumitomo/WW Grainger/PT Sumisho E-Commerce Indonesia JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 239/06)

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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8082 — General Motors France/Groupe Dubreuil/CLARO)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 239/07)

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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8051 — CVC/Tipico Group)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 239/08)

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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8113 — Thoma Bravo/Qlik Technologies)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 239/09)

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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Notice concerning a request pursuant to Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU

Request made by a contracting entity — extension of deadline

(2016/C 239/10)

On 21 March 2016 the Commission received a request in accordance with Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement procedures by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (1).

This request, from the Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry (BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V.) on behalf of the contracting entities in that sector, concerns certain activities in the market for retail of electricity and gas in Germany. The relevant notice was published on page 22 of OJ C 205 on 9 June 2016. The initial deadline was 4 August 2016.

Pursuant to the fourth subparagraph of point 1 of Annex IV of Directive 2014/25/EU, the deadline may be extended by the Commission with the agreement of those having made the request for exemption concerned. Given that the need to obtain and analyse additional information, and with the agreement of the applicant, the period available to the Commission for deciding on this request is hereby extended by 29 working days. The final deadline is therefore 15 September 2016.

(1)  OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243.

Publication of an 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

(2016/C 239/11)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘HÅNNLAMB’

EU No: SE-PDO-0005-01327 — 21.4.2015

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name

2.   Member State or Third Country

Sweden

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Product type

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

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

‘Hånnlamb’ designates the carcases and cuts of lambs and sheep of the ‘gutefår’ breed that are born, reared and slaughtered within the defined geographical area of Gotland. In the Gotland dialect, ‘Hånnlamb’ means ‘horned sheep’. It is the original name of the horned sheep of Gotland that were saved from extinction in the early 20th century and then designated the ‘gutefår’ breed. The breed originates from the old Gotlandic ‘allmogefår’ sheep breed, the characteristics of which have been moulded over thousands of years by Gotland’s climate and vegetation. The sheep are raised on natural pastures offering poor fodder compared to arable land, and have adapted to making the most of the vegetation that grows there. Their meat has been marketed both on Gotland and elsewhere in Sweden.

‘Hånnlamb’ animals intended for slaughter must be of the gutefår breed and meet the racial purity requirements laid down by one of the breed societies (GutefårAkademin or Föreningen Gutefåret) and be included in their gene banks for the preservation of the breed. The animals must be reared on the natural pastures of Gotland.

Grazing in these natural areas gives the meat a special character. Grass and herbs contain, for example, high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E. Meat from lambs fed on such herbs and grass therefore contains more of these substances and has a different fatty acid profile and thus a characteristic taste. Vitamin E indirectly affects the taste by preventing fatty acids from breaking down. Breed-specific differences in taste exist which stem from differences above all in the fat cover, but also in the breed’s ability to make the most of different types of fodder. By adapting, ‘hånnlamb’ has become well accustomed to pastures with poor but species-rich fodder, which also gives rise to specific characteristics in the meat. The energy content of the meat is approximately 100-170 kcal, or 470-700 kJ per 100 g of meat, depending on how it is cut up. The fat content varies between approximately 2 % and 10 % and consists of more or less equal proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, with polyunsaturated fatty acids making up approximately 10 % of the total fatty acid content. Meat from natural pastures has higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids (especially alpha-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid), because the plants growing on them contain these fatty acids. The quantities of omega-3 fatty acids can vary by a factor of as much as 5 depending on the plants eaten. The proportions of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the meat are affected by the feed/pasturage and in turn affect the taste experience. The taste of ‘hånnlamb’ meat can be described as distinctive; it is juicy with a hint of liver and blood and has buttery characteristics (clarified butter), a woodsy taste (earth, moss and mushrooms), an acidic taste and a distinct metallic after-taste. In addition, the lamb has a naturally salty taste, with hints of herbs and chestnut and a widely perceived gamey flavour. Tasting panels have linked metallic, woodsy, buttery and meaty acidic tastes to lamb. The most intense taste was that of butter, followed by metallic and woodsy tastes. The meat is fine-grained, with a darker colour and less fat cover than meat from more commercial breeds. In daylight the meat is moderately dark red and the fat is white in colour (AMSA Meat Color Measurement Guidelines, American Meat Science Association, 2012).

One characteristic of landrace animals is that they display great variety. They look different and vary in size. Adult ‘gutefår’ sheep vary in weight, even within the same age group. The live weight of ewes averages 50 kg, but can vary between 40 and 70 kg, with a corresponding variation for rams of 60-80 kg. This means that there are also variations in the growth and weight of the lambs. The weight at slaughter of lambs from Lilla Karlsö, for example, varies between 16 and 21 kg.

There are no requirements in terms of maximum or minimum age at slaughter in order to sell the meat as ‘hånnlamb’. The assessment of whether an animal is classified as mutton or lamb is carried out by means of a visual examination of the carcase. The upper age limit for ‘hånnlamb’ lamb is 16 months, after which it is classified as mutton. On selling ‘hånnlamb’, it must be made clear whether the meat comes from a lamb or an adult sheep.

The minimum weight of carcases that may be sold as ‘hånnlamb’ is 12 kg. There is no set weight limit for individual cuts as this has not been deemed necessary.

Lambs are usually slaughtered in the early autumn once they have reached a live weight of about 30-50 kg. Older animals are slaughtered throughout the year. The quality criteria for the lamb category according to the EUROP classification grid for ‘hånnlamb’ is that the conformation class of the carcase should be O-E. The quality criterion for the fat class is that it must be at least Slight (2 –) for lamb according to the EUROP classification grid. For the slaughter category the conformation class may be a little lower (P +-E) while the fat class should be at least Slight (2 –).

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

For the entire plant production season, the ‘hånnlamb’ grazes on natural pastures and benefits from the nutrients available in the vegetation. Depending on climatic factors and growth conditions in the natural pastures, additional feed including hay/silage may be given in the spring and late autumn. The lambs follow their mothers to the natural pastures. The lambs start to graze at the age of approximately 1 month, but they continue to suckle as a means of social interaction until late in the autumn.

The nutritional content of the pasturage (per kg of dry matter) varies, but has been calculated for the typical pastures used by the ‘hånnlamb’ as follows: Convertible energy 10,2 MJ, digestible raw protein 126 g, absorbable amino acids 69 g, protein balance in the rumen 48 g, calcium 9,1 g, phosphorus 2,6 g, potassium 17,2 g, magnesium 1,8 g, ash 63 g and raw protein 168 g.

In the winter, the ewes and rams feed on hay and/or silage. The ewes may be given concentrated feed supplements from 1 month before to 1 month after lambing. Both the roughage and the concentrated feed must come from the identified geographical area.

Hay for winter fodder is produced on arable land. The composition varies according to the land conditions, but often comprises mixtures of grass species such as timothy, meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass mixed with strains of alfalfa and other herbs.

Silage is made using the same crop as used for hay.

There are no requirements concerning the choice of feed concentrates other than that feeding must be limited to approximately a month before and after lambing.

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

The animals intended for slaughter must be born and raised in natural pastures within the defined geographical area (they may be kept on other land within the defined geographical area for short periods of time during the grazing season and outside the grazing period).

The grazing period for lambs prior to slaughter must be at least 4 months. The grazing period for adult animals must be at least 7 months a year.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product to which the registered name refers

—

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

During slaughtering, the animals, carcases and cuts must be kept separate. The carcases must be stamped with the ‘Hånnlamb’ logo (Figure 1).

The logo must be affixed to the packaging of the end products to ensure traceability.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area consists of the island of Gotland and adjacent islands and islets. The geographical area corresponds to the Province of Gotland, including Gotska Sandön (Figure 2). Gotland is the Baltic Sea’s biggest island and is located at 57°29′57″N 18°30′34″E. The island is different to most of the rest of Sweden in that the bedrock is made up of limestone.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Gotland has a maritime climate. The temperature is relatively stable over the year thanks to the area’s location in the Baltic, with cool summers but mild autumns and winters. The annual average temperature is approximately + 6,5 °C. The temperature in the early and main part of summer is often high, with intensive exposure to the sun causing drought, which affects the vegetation and grazing conditions.

‘Hånnlamb’ is a hardy breed originating from the Gotlandic ‘allmogefår’ breed, the characteristics of which have been moulded by Gotland’s climate and vegetation over thousands of years. The sheep roamed all year round across the area — in coastal meadows, over alvar land and in forests. As a result of this way of life, Gotlandic sheep living in the fields were well adapted to the island’s unique natural environment. This sheep breed retains many original characteristics which are no longer present in modern sheep breeds. For example, the sheep’s gastrointestinal system is designed so as to allow the animal to make the most of the poor natural pastures on Gotland.

The county governor’s 5-year reports from the 19th century state that the island’s pastureland was well suited to sheep rearing and that sheep rearing was of great importance to Gotland. According to the reports, the Gotlandic sheep breed was hardy because the animals were outdoors all year round. Additionally, they were small in size but produced good meat that had a pronounced gamey taste. The latter quality was seen to result, among other things, from the mixture of herbs in the natural pastures. According to older sources, sheep meat — whether fresh, smoked or salted — was a significant Gotlandic export. Sheep meat has been regularly exported, for example, to Stockholm since the mid-18th century.

In 1918 an initiative was launched to save the Gotlandic sheep, the ‘hånnlamb’, from extinction. New herds were gradually formed from the ‘hånnlamb’ that were gathered together. This meant that the Gotland landrace sheep, the ‘hånnlamb’, was saved. In 1973 the term ‘gutefår’ was approved for the horned landrace from Gotland, traditionally called ‘hånnlamb’ in the Gutamål and Gotlandic dialects. Both the ewes and the rams of the ‘hånnlamb’ breed have horns.

Nowadays the rearing of the hånnlamb is based on methods very similar to those used in the past, though it complies with the rules laid down by the authorities and legislation. Breeding is strictly controlled and follows a breeding plan established by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, which prohibits targeted breeding and cross-breeding with other breeds. The ‘hånnlamb’ breed therefore retains the appearance and characteristics that it has had for thousands of years.

Archaeological finds show that sheep breeding has been carried out on the Gotland islands for more than 4 000 years. Sheep breeding became very important on Gotland from early on. The fact that the island’s free farmers used the ‘väduren’, an older ram, as a symbol on their seals as early as the 13th century provides further proof of the importance of sheep farming for Gotland. The ‘väduren’ symbolised southern Gotland’s division into three parts for a long time before featuring on the emblem for all of Gotland, and it continues to be the island’s official symbol. The ‘väduren’ ram also decorates the coat of arms of the Region, the Province and the County of Gotland (Figure 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 lime content and maritime climate have endowed the natural pastures on Gotland with a special and rich variety of herbs. This is true also for the sparse coniferous forests, where the flora is very rich in herbs and grass as a result of the lime content. Up to 20-40 plant species per m2 can grow in the natural pastures. Even today pastureland covers a large part of Gotland’s surface area, though it has decreased in size and now makes up about 40 000 hectares.

The dry Gotlandic climate together with grazing in natural areas gives the ‘hånnlamb’ breed a strong meaty taste. Scientific studies show that the taste of the meat is affected by the water content of the feed. The abundance of herbs, e.g. wild thyme, in the natural pastures of Gotland means that the meat has a distinct gamey taste, a quality mentioned in historical texts, and the meat is considered a highly sought-after delicacy.

Reference to publication of the specification

(second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

http://www.livsmedelsverket.se/globalassets/produktion-handel-kontroll/livsmedelsinformation-markning-halsopastaenden/skyddade-beteckningar/ansokan-hannlamb-med-bilagor.pdf

(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

Notice for the attention of Nasir 'Abd-Al-Karim 'Abdullah Al-Wahishi, and Qasim Mohamed Mahdi al-Rimi, whose entries were amended in the list referred to in Articles 2, 3 and 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda organisations, by virtue of Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1063

(2016/C 239/12)

(1)  OJ L 139, 29.5.2002, p. 4.

(2)  OJ L 177, 1.7.2016, p. 4.

(3)  OJ L 139, 29.5.2002, p. 9.