29.6.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 227/5

DECISION OF THE BUREAU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

of 12 June 2023

amending the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament

(2023/C 227/05)

THE BUREAU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 223(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1)

Members of the European Parliament were able to join an additional pension scheme on a voluntary basis from 1989 until the end of the sixth parliamentary term (2004 to 2009) (the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme - ‘the Scheme’). The rights and obligations under that Scheme are listed in Annex VII to the Rules Governing the Payment of Expenses and Allowances to Members of the European Parliament (PEAM rules), as referred to in Article 76 of the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (2) (‘the Implementing Measures’). That Scheme is financed by the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Fund (‘the Fund’) which is now in an extremely difficult financial situation. According to the actuarial report of the Fund of 17 February 2023, as of 31 December 2022, under the rules currently governing the Scheme, the yearly pension payments are expected to amount to an average of EUR 22 to 23 million per year until 2030, and annual pension payments are estimated to remain above EUR 10 million until 2047, and above EUR 100 000 until 2073 included. The residual assets of the Fund, amounting to EUR 52,8 million in its draft annual accounts as of 31 December 2022, were estimated at EUR 43 to 44 million by the end of May 2023 and continue to dwindle rapidly, since, in 2023, approximately EUR 1,9 million per month will be required to service monthly pension payments. The residual assets of the Fund, which are intended to finance the Scheme, could already be exhausted in 2024, depending on the financial markets, and will be exhausted in 2025 at the latest, leaving an expected unfinanced actuarial deficit totalling approximatively EUR 310 million.

(2)

At its meetings of 17 April and 22 May 2023, the Bureau discussed the Fund’s financial situation along with various options and measures aimed at addressing the Fund’s extremely serious liquidity problem and reducing its actuarial deficit, with a view to safeguarding the Fund in the short term, in the interest of all current and future beneficiaries of the Scheme and avoiding or, at least, reducing negative consequences for the European taxpayer. It concluded that, in view of those aims, a number of economically inevitable measures should be taken.

(3)

Firstly, additional pensions which have not yet become payable should be subject to further conditions and derogations. In particular, the retirement age should be increased from the current age of 65 years to 67 years. According to an actuarial simulation requested by Parliament’s services, this measure is expected to lead to total savings of EUR 2 million.

(4)

Secondly, since, by itself, the raising of the age will not be sufficient to address the Fund’s extremely serious liquidity problem and to reduce its actuarial deficit, the amount of pensions under the Scheme should be reduced by 50 % and those pensions should no longer be updated. Given the extreme extent of the Fund’s liquidity problem compared to its long term obligations, and its actuarial deficit, those measures should apply not only to future beneficiaries holding pension rights in the process of being acquired but also to current beneficiaries already holding acquired pension rights. According to an actuarial simulation requested by Parliament’s services, the reduction of pensions is expected to lead to savings of EUR 181,4 million and the discontinuance of the updating of pensions to savings of EUR 40,4 million.

(5)

The combined measures of raising the retirement age, reducing the amount of pensions under the Scheme by 50 % and discontinuing the updating of pensions are expected to lead to an estimated reduction of the future pension obligations from EUR 362,7 million to EUR 139 million (as of 31 December 2022), resulting in an extension of the expected lifespan of the Fund by two or three years, to 2027, and to a reduction of the actuarial deficit of the Fund from approximately EUR 310 million to approximately EUR 86 million.

(6)

Those combined measures are necessary in view of the need to achieve the objectives of safeguarding the Fund in the short term and of avoiding or, at least, reducing negative consequences for the European taxpayer, and are proportionate. In reaching that conclusion, account was taken, in particular, of the deterioration of the financial sustainability of the Fund due, inter alia, to the repercussions on the financial markets of the 2007-2008 financial crisis and of the war in Ukraine, of the extent of the liquidity problem and of the actuarial deficit of the Fund and of the interests of the current and future beneficiaries of the Scheme. Other less intrusive measures were duly taken into account by the Bureau which rejected them as insufficient. With regard to the current beneficiaries of the Scheme who hold acquired rights, the Bureau also took into account the ratio of the total amount of the pension payments received individually by them under the Scheme compared to their total individual contributions, which is, on average, 4,7:1, and goes up to 14,3:1 for 16 % of the current pensioners. Individual cases of hardship, in which the ability of a former Member or other beneficiary to meet his or her needs is seriously affected, should be covered by a hardship clause.

(7)

In the light of the changes to the conditions of the Scheme and the uncertainties related to the future of both the Fund and the Scheme, Members and former Members should have the possibility to apply, on a voluntary basis and for a limited period, for the payment of the additional pension in the form of a one-off final lump sum. Incentives should be provided to encourage such applications, since it is to be expected that they will reduce the overall future payment obligations and the actuarial deficit. At the same time, payments already received under the Scheme should be taken into account.

(8)

In the light of the extremely serious nature of the liquidity problem and of the actuarial deficit of the Fund, the new conditions and derogations should apply from 1 July 2023, without any transitional regime applying, since it would seriously jeopardise the envisaged financial effects of the adopted measures,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Article 76 of the Implementing Measures is amended as follows:

(1)

paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. An additional pension which becomes payable from 1 July 2023 to former Members or other beneficiaries pursuant to Articles 1, 3 and 4 of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules shall be paid subject to the following conditions and derogations:

(a)	the amount of the pension pursuant to Article 2(1) of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules and the amounts of the maximum and minimum pensions in accordance with Article 2(2) of that Annex shall be reduced by 50 %;

(b)	the basic salary of a Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union within the sense of Article 2(1) and (2) of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules shall be the basic salary on 30 June 2023 and shall not be updated after that date;

(c)	the pension pursuant to Article 1 of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules shall be payable from the first day of the calendar month following the date when the Member reaches the age of 67;

(d)

where a Member is under 67 years of age at the time of death, entitlement to the survivor’s and orphan’s pensions pursuant to Article 4(1) of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules shall be deferred until the first day of the calendar month following that in which the deceased Member would have reached the age of 67.’

;

(2)

the following paragraphs are inserted:

‘1a. For the pensions which became payable to former Members or other beneficiaries pursuant to Articles 1, 3 and 4 of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules before 1 July 2023, the amounts due from that day on shall be reduced and adjusted as follows:

(a)	the amount of the pension pursuant to Article 2(1) of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules and the amounts of the maximum and minimum pensions in accordance with Article 2(2) of that Annex shall be reduced by 50 %;

(b)	the basic salary of a Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union within the sense of Article 2(1) and (2) of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules shall be the basic salary on 30 June 2023 and shall not be updated after that date;

1b. If, due to the application of paragraph 1, points (a) and/or (b), or paragraph 1a, points (a) and/or (b), the former Member or other beneficiary would have to live below or further below the last available at-risk-of-poverty threshold for the State of his or her permanent residence he or she may submit an application for an increase of pension to the Quaestors. That threshold shall be the one determined by Eurostat, if applicable. That application shall be accompanied by all relevant information and supporting documents to allow Parliament to assess the former Member’s or other beneficiary’s other revenues and his or her financial situation, such as a certificate issued by a competent national authority attesting to his or her other revenues and financial situation.

Taking into account the other revenues and financial situation of the former Member or other beneficiary, the Quaestors may grant an increase in the pension so that it reaches the at-risk-of poverty threshold. However, the amount of the pension after such increase shall not be higher than the pension that would have been provided pursuant to Articles 1 to 4 of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules, as applicable on 30 June 2023.

When the Quaestors have granted an increase in the pension, the former Member or other beneficiary concerned shall submit, on a yearly basis, an update of the supporting documents referred to in the first subparagraph to the competent service of the European Parliament, for the purpose of assessing compliance over time with the conditions for granting the increase. Where the yearly assessment by the competent service of the European Parliament results in a need to repeal the initial decision or to increase the pension as compared to the one that was initially granted, the competent service of the European Parliament shall submit a proposal to that end to the Quaestors for their decision. All other adjustments to the increase that was initially granted shall be decided by the competent service of the European Parliament.

If the former Member or other beneficiary does not agree with a decision adopted by the Quaestors under the second or third subparagraph of this paragraph, he or she may, within two months after notification of that decision, request that the matter be referred to the Bureau, in accordance with Article 72(3).’

;

(3)

paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. Any additional pension pursuant to Articles 1 and 2 of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules, which has not yet become payable on 1 January 2019, shall be subject to a special levy amounting to 5 % of the nominal amount of the pension. The levy shall be directly payable to the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Fund.’

;

(4)

the following paragraph is added:

‘5. Without prejudice to Article 1(6) of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules, during a period of six months from 1 July 2023, a Member or former Member, who has joined the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme within the meaning of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules may lodge an application to withdraw from the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme and to receive the additional pension in the form of a one-off lump sum final payment. That application shall be signed by the Member or former Member and submitted by him or her to the Secretary General of the European Parliament. An application countersigned by the Secretary General shall become binding and irrevocable. The Secretary General may delegate the power to countersign to a representative of the competent service of the European Parliament.

The amount of the one-off final payment by a lump sum shall be established by the competent service of the European Parliament as of the end of the month of reception of the application referred to under the first subparagraph. It shall be calculated as the sum of two amounts. The first amount shall correspond to the total of the contributions in nominal value brought by the Member or former Member concerned to the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme, after the deduction of the pension payments already received by him or her, in nominal value. That deduction shall not exceed the total amount of the contributions brought by him or her to the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme. The second amount shall correspond to 20 % of the total of the contributions in nominal value brought by the Member or former Member concerned to the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme. All amounts shall be paid in euros.

All acquired rights and/or future entitlements in the pension scheme of the Member, former Member or future other beneficiary concerned shall be settled definitively by the end of the month of reception of the application referred to in the first subparagraph. In particular, the entitlements laid down in Articles 1, 3 and 4 of Annex VII to the PEAM Rules shall no longer apply, and paragraph 1b of this Article shall not apply to the Member, former Member or future other beneficiary concerned.

The one-off final payment by a lump sum shall be paid at the latest three months after the application referred to under the first subparagraph was received by Parliament.’

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 1 of this Decision shall apply from 1 July 2023.

For the period from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2023, Article 76 of the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, as amended by the Decision of the Bureau of 10 December 2018 (3), shall remain applicable.

(1) Decision 2005/684/EC, Euratom of the European Parliament of 28 September 2005 adopting the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (OJ L 262, 7.10.2005, p. 1).

(2) Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 19 May and 9 July 2008 concerning implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (OJ C 159, 13.7.2009, p. 1).

(3) Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 10 December 2018 amending the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (OJ C 466, 28.12.2018, p. 8).

29.6.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 227/14

Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

(2023/C 227/11)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Languedoc’

PDO-FR-A0922-AM08

Date of communication: 31.3.2023

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Areas and places in which the various operations are conducted

In Chapter I of the specification, section IV ‘Areas and places in which the various operations are conducted’ has been amended to update the list of municipalities which make up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity:

—	In point 1 ‘Geographical area’, the list of municipalities is brought into line, without changes, with the Official Geographic Code of January 2022.

—	In point 3 ‘Area in immediate proximity’, the list of municipalities is brought into line, without changes, with the Official Geographic Code of January 2022.

This editorial amendment allows the geographical area to be identified with reference to the 2022 version of the Official Geographical Code, which is updated by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), and gives the definition of the geographical area legal certainty. The same reference has been inserted in the single document under the headings ‘Geographical area’ and ‘Area in immediate proximity’.

In Section VI ‘Vineyard management’, in point 1(b) ‘Pruning rules’, the list of municipalities is also updated to bring it into line with the Official Geographic Code of 2022: the list of municipalities in which vineyards with a supplementary geographical designation are located is updated, without changes, in accordance with the Official Geographic Code.

This update does not affect the single document.

2. Demarcated parcel area of the supplementary geographical designation ‘Saint Drézery’

Chapter I of the specification, Section IV ‘Areas and places in which the various operations are conducted’, point 2 ‘Demarcated parcel area’ is supplemented to include the municipalities making up the specific parcel demarcation of the supplementary geographical designation ‘Saint-Drézéry’ and approved by the competent authority in June 2022. Wines bearing the supplementary designation ‘Saint Drézéry’ originate from grapes from parcels located in the parcel area designated for production. This amendment does not affect the single document.

3. Vineyard management

In Chapter I of the specification, ‘Section VI ‘Vineyard management’, point 2 ‘Other cultivation methods’, the general rules are supplemented with the following agri-environmental provisions:

‘At the time of harvesting, unharvested bunches are not in contact with any plant other than the vine.

—	Plastic mulching is prohibited.

—

To preserve the characteristics of the physical and biological environment, which is a fundamental part of the terroir:

—	chemical weed control of headlands is prohibited.

—	vegetation, whether it is sown or self-seeded, is managed by mechanical or physical means between rows, except for vines with a distance between rows of no greater than 1,8 m.’.

These new provisions have been carried over to the ‘Winemaking practices’ section of the single document.

4. Transitional measure regarding the parcel demarcation of the supplementary designation ‘Saint Drézéry’

In Chapter I of the specification, Section XI ‘Transitional measures’ is supplemented following work on the specific parcel demarcation of the supplementary designation of the controlled designation of origin ‘Languedoc’ - Saint-Drézéry. The protection and management body of the controlled designation of origin ‘Languedoc’ has asked for a transitional measure to be included in the specification to allow the use of the supplementary designation ‘Saint-Drézéry’ until the 2030 harvest for wines from grapes harvested in parcels belonging to the ‘Languedoc’ demarcated area in the municipality of Saint-Drézéry but not included in the parcel demarcation of the controlled designation of origin ‘Languedoc’ - Saint-Drézéry recognised in June 2021.

This amendment does not affect the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Languedoc

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Category of grapevine products

Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

1. Analytical characteristics

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

PDO ‘Languedoc’ wines are still, dry wines that are either red, rosé or white. - The minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of the wines is 11,5 %. - Except for wines eligible for the terms ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new), the red wines have a malic acid content less than or equal to 0,4 g/l when ready to be marketed in bulk or packaged. - The wines have the following fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) when ready to be marketed in bulk or packaged: Maximum fermentable sugar content: - White, rosé and red wines with a natural alcoholic strength by volume greater than 14 %: 4 g/l - Red wines with a natural alcoholic strength by volume less than or equal to 14 %: 3 g/l - Wines designated as ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’: 2 g/l - Unpackaged wines designated as ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’ have a volatile acidity less than or equal to 10,2 meq/l. - The total acidity and volatile acidity of wines not designated as ‘primeur’ and the total sulphur dioxide content are as laid down by EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)	13
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum total acidity
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

2. Organoleptic characteristics

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

—

The red wines, which are always a blend of several varieties, have a moderately to deeply intense colour, a palette of aromas ranging from red and black fruit to spicy and roasted notes, and a solid structure with ripe tannins. They can be kept for between 2 and 5 years on average, except for ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’ wines, which should be consumed in the months following production.

—	The rosé wines are a blend of at least two varieties, the principal varieties being Syrah N, Cinsaut N and Grenache N. The wines are made by direct pressing, short maceration or the saignée method and have a naturally bright colour. They have complex aromas and are fresh and round on the palate.

—

The white wines are also dry. They are produced by blending. They are usually pale in colour and have a typical Languedoc roundness and aromas reminiscent of tropical fruit, citrus, white flowers or dried fruit.

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum total acidity
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Winemaking practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Specific oenological practice

—

When making rosé wines, winemakers may use oenological charcoal, either alone or mixed in preparations, exclusively for press-musts and wines still in fermentation, in a proportion not exceeding 20 % of the volume of rosé wine produced by the winemaker concerned for a given harvest and at a dose of no more than 30 g/hl of the volume treated.

—	In addition to the above provision, all winemaking practices followed must comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural Code.

2. Management method

Cultivation method

The minimum planting density of the vines is 4 000 plants per hectare. The distance between the rows must not exceed 2,50 m.

The area available for each vine must not exceed 2,50 m2. This area is calculated by multiplying the distance between rows by the distance between vines in the same row.

Pruning is carried out before stage E – three leaves spread over the first two count buds. The vines are spur-pruned, with a maximum of 12 buds per vine. Each spur has a maximum of two buds.

—	Single Guyot pruning may be used for the Syrah N variety, with a maximum of 10 count buds per vine, of which no more than six on the cane, and one or two replacement spurs with a maximum of one or two count buds each;

—	For the Grenache N variety, vines suffering from shatter may be pruned to a cane with a maximum of five count buds.

Irrigation may be authorised in accordance with Article D. 645-5 of the Rural and Maritime Fisheries Code.

3. Management method

Cultivation method

At the time of harvesting, unharvested bunches are not in contact with any plant other than the vine.

—	Plastic mulching is prohibited.

—

To preserve the characteristics of the physical and biological environment, which is a fundamental part of the terroir:

—	chemical weed control of headlands is prohibited.

—	vegetation, whether it is sown or self-seeded, is managed by mechanical or physical means between rows, except for vines with a distance between rows of no greater than 1,8 m.

5.2. Maximum yields

1.	Red and rosé wine yield 60 hectolitres per hectare

2.	White wine yield 70 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the red and rosé wines are produced and developed in the following municipalities on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 1 January 2022:

—

Department of Aude:

Aigues-Vives, Ajac, Albas, Alet-les-Bains, Alzonne, Antugnac, Aragon, Argeliers, Argens-Minervois, Armissan, Arquettes-en-Val, Azille, Badens, Bages, Bagnoles, Barbaira, Bizanet, Bize-Minervois, Blomac, Bouilhonnac, Bouriège, Boutenac, Cabrespine, Campagne-sur-Aude, Camplong-d’Aude, Canet, Capendu, Cascastel-des-Corbières, Cassaignes, Castelnau-d’Aude, Castelreng, Caunes-Minervois, Caunettes-en-Val, Caves, Cépie, Comigne, Conilhac-Corbières, Conques-sur-Orbiel, Couiza, Cournanel, Coustaussa, Coustouge, Cruscades, Cucugnan, Davejean, Dernacueillette, La Digne-d’Amont, La Digne-d’Aval, Douzens, Duilhac-sous-Pyerepertuse, Durban-Corbières, Embres-et-Castelmaure, Escales, Espéraza, Fabrezan, Felines-Termenès, Ferrals-les-Corbières, Festes-et-Saint-André, Feuilla, Fitou, Fleury, Floure, Fontcouverte, Fontiès-d’Aude, Fontjoncouse, Fournes-Cabardès, Fraisse-Cabardès, Fraissé-des-Corbières, Gaja-et-Villedieu, Gardie, Ginestas, Gruissan, Homps, Les Ilhes, Jonquières, Labastide-en-Val, Ladern-sur-Lauquet, Lagrasse, Laroque-de-Fa, Lastours, Laure-Minervois, Leucate, Lézignan-Corbières, Limousis, Limoux, Loupia, Luc-sur-Aude, Luc-sur-Orbieu, Magrie, Mailhac, Maisons, Malras, Malves-en-Minervois, Marseillette, Mayronnes, Mirepeisset, Montazels, Montbrun-des-Corbières, Montgaillard, Montirat, Montlaur, Montolieu, Montredon-des-Corbières, Montséret, Monze, Moussoulens, Moux, Narbonne, Névian, Port-la-Nouvelle, Ornaisons, Padern, Palairac, La Palme, Paraza, Pauligne, Paziols, Pennautier, Pépieux, Peyriac-de-Mer, Peyriac-Minervois, Peyrolles, Pezens, Pieusse, Pomas, Portel-des-Corbières, Pouzols-Minervois, Puichéric, Quintillan, La Redorte, Ribaute, Rieux-en-Val, Rieux-Minervois, Roquecourbe-Minervois, Roquefort-des-Corbières, Roquetaillade-et-Conilhac, Roubia, Rouffiac-d’Aude, Rouffiac-des-Corbières, Rustiques, Saint-André-de-Roquelongue, Saint-Couat-d’Aude, Saint-Couat-du-Razès, Sainte-Eulalie, Saint-Frichoux, Saint-Hilaire, Saint-Jean-de-Barrou, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, Saint-Nazaire-d’Aude, Saint-Pierre-des-Champs, Saint-Polycarpe, Sainte-Valière, Sallèles-Cabardès, Salles-d’Aude, Salsigne, La Serpent, Serres, Serviès-en-Val, Sigean, Talairan, Taurize, Termes, Thézan-des-Corbières, Tournissan, Tourouzelle, Tourreilles, Trassanel, Trausse, Trèbes, Treilles, Tuchan, Val-de-Dagne, Val-du-Faby (for the part corresponding to the territory of the delegated municipality of Fa), Ventenac-Cabardès, Ventenac-en-Minervois, Vignevieille, Villalier, Villanière, Villardonnel, Villar-en-Val, Villar-Saint-Anselme, Villarzel-Cabardès, Villebazy, Villedubert, Villegailhenc, Villegly, Villelongue-d’Aude, Villemoustaussou, Villeneuve-les-Corbières, Villeneuve-Minervois, Villerouge-Termenès, Villesèque-des-Corbières, Villetritouls, Vinassan.

—

Department of Gard:

Aspères, Aujargues, Brouzet-lès-Quissac, La Cadière-et-Cambo, Calvisson, Cannes-et-Clairan, Carnas, Combas, Conqueyrac, Corconne, Crespian, Fontanès, Gailhan, Junas, Langlade, Lecques, Liouc, Montmirat, Montpezat, Moulézan, Nages-et-Solorgues, Nîmes, Orthoux-Sérignac-Quilhan, Saint-Clément, Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, Saint-Mamert-du-Gard, Salinelles, Sardan, Sommières, Souvignargues, Vic-le-Fesq, Villevieille.

—

Department of Hérault:

Adissan, Agel, Aigne, Aigues-Vives, Alignan-duVent, Aniane, Arboras, Argelliers, Aspiran, Assas, Assignan, Aumelas, Autignac, Azillanet, Babeau-Bouldoux, Bassan, Beaufort, Beaulieu, Berlou, Béziers, Boisseron, Le Bosc, Boujan-sur-Libron, Brignac, Brissac, Cabrerolles, Cabrières, Campagne, Canet, Cassagnoles, Castelnau-le-Lez, Castries, La Caunette, Causse-de-la-Selle, Causses-et-Veyran, Caussiniojouls, Caux, Cazedarnes, Cazevieille, Cazouls-lès-Béziers, Cébazan, Cessenon-sur-Orb, Cesseras, Ceyras, Claret, Clermont-l’Hérault, Combaillaux, Corneilhan, Cournonsec, Cournonterral, Creissan, Cruzy, Entre-Vignes, Faugères, Félines-Minervois, Ferrières-Poussarou, Fontanès, Fontès, Fos, Fouzilhon, Fozières, Gabian, Garrigues, Gignac, Guzargues, Jonquières, Juvignac, Lacoste, Lagamas, Laurens, Lauret, Lauroux, Lavalette, Lavérune, Liausson, Lieuran-Cabrières, La Livinière, Lodève, Lunel, Lunel-Viel, Magalas, Margon, Les Matelles, Mauguio, Mérifons, Minerve, Montagnac, Montarnaud, Montbazin, Montblanc, Montesquieu, Montouliers, Montoulieu, Montpellier, Montpeyroux, Moulès-et-Baucels, Mourèze, Murles, Murviel-lès-Béziers, Murviel-lès-Montpellier, Nébian, Neffiès, Nézignan-l’Évêque, Nissan-lez-Enserune, Nizas, Octon, Olmet-et-Villecun, Olonzac, Oupia, Paulhan, Pégairolles-de-Buèges, Pégairolles-de-l’Escalette, Péret, Pézenas, Pierrerue, Pignan, Plaissan, Poujols, Poussan, Pouzolles, Prades-le-Lez, Prades-sur-Vernazobre, Le Puech, Puéchabon, Puisserguier, Quarante, Restinclières, Roquebrun, Roquessels, Roujan, Saint-André-de-Buèges, Saint-André-de-Sangonis, Saint-Aunès, Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve, Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel, Saint-Chinian, Saint-Clément-de-Rivière, Sainte-Croix-de-Quintillargues, Saint-Drézéry, Saint-Félix-de-Lodez, Saint-Gély-du-Fesc, Saint-Geniès-des-Mourgues, Saint-Georges-d’Orques, Saint-Guiraud, Saint-Jean-de-Cuculles, Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière, Saint-Jean-de-Buèges, Saint-Jean-de-Fos, Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers, Saint-Nazaire-de-Ladarez, Saint-Pargoire, Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens, Saint-Privat, Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian, Saint-Sériès, Saint-Thibéry, Saint-Vincent-de-Barbeyrargues, Saturargues, Sauteyrargues, Sauvian, Sérignan, Servian, Siran, Soubès, Soumont, Sussargues, Le Triadou, Usclas-du-Bosc, Vacquières, Vailhan, Vailhauquès, Valflaunès, Valmascle, Vendémian, Vendres, Vieussan, Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, Villeneuvette, Villespassans, Villeveyrac.

—

Department of Pyrénées-Orientales:

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, Ansignan, Arboussols, Argelès-sur-Mer, Bages, Baho, Baixas, Banyuls-dels-Aspres, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Bélesta, Bouleternère, Le Boulou, Brouilla, Cabestany, Caixas, Calce, Camélas, Canet-en-Roussillon, Canohès, Caramany, Cases-de-Pène, Cassagnes, Castelnou, Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, Cerbère, Céret, Claira, Les Cluses, Collioure, Corbère, Corbère-les-Cabanes, Corneilla-la-Rivière, Corneilla-del-Vercol, Elne, Espira-de-l’Agly, Espira-de-Conflent, Estagel, Estoher, Feilluns, Finestret, Fosse, Fourques, Ille-sur-Têt, Joch, Lansac, Laroque-des-Albères, Latour-Bas-Elne, Latour-de-France, Lesquerde, Llauro, Llupia, Marquixanes, Maureillas-las-Illas, Maury, Millas, Montalba-le-Château, Montauriol, Montescot, Montesquieu-des-Albères, Montner, Néfiach, Oms, Opoul-Périllos, Ortaffa, Palau-del-Vidre, Passa, Perpignan, Peyrestortes, Pézilla-de-Conflent, Pézilla-la-Rivière, Pia, Planèzes, Pollestres, Ponteilla, Port-Vendres, Prats-de-Sournia, Prugnanes, Rasiguères, Reynès, Rigarda, Rivesaltes, Rodès, Saint-André, Saint-Arnac, Sainte-Colombe-de-la-Commanderie, Saint-Cyprien, Saint-Estève, Saint-Féliu-d’Amont, Saint-Féliu-d’Avall, Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Jean-Lasseille, Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts, Saint-Martin-de-Fenouillet, Saint-Michel-de-Llotes, Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, Saleilles, Salses-le-Château, Le Soler, Sorède, Sournia, Taillet, Tarerach, Tautavel, Terrats, Thuir, Tordères, Toulouges, Tresserre, Trévillach, Trilla, Trouillas, Villelongue-dels-Monts, Villemolaque, Villeneuve-de-la-Raho, Villeneuve-la-Rivière, Vinça, Vingrau, Vivès, Le Vivier.

b)	For white wines, the grapes are harvested and the wines made and developed in the municipalities listed for red and rosé wines, plus the following municipalities in the department of Hérault: Castelnau-de-Guers, Florensac, Mèze, Pinet, Pomerols.

7. Wine grape variety(-ies)

Bourboulenc B - Doucillon blanc

Clairette B

Grenache N

Grenache blanc B

Lledoner pelut N

Marsanne B

Mourvèdre N - Monastrell

Piquepoul blanc B

Roussanne B

Syrah N - Shiraz

Tourbat B

Vermentino B - Rolle

8. Description of the link(s)

Since the beginning of winegrowing in the Languedoc region, vines have always been grown on the dry, stony hillsides.

Since Roman times, the vagaries of history, the influence of monasteries and abbeys, the economic constraints of hillside vineyards and the changes in population groups have all contributed to the diversity and development of the products, leading, over time, to the production of sweet wines, fortified wines, red and white dry wines and table grapes, all of which require the grapes to be fully ripe.

Thus, over the generations, a whole range of specific locations have emerged that are recognised for the quality and originality of their wines.

Vines have been grown on the sunny hillsides between Collioure and the gates of Nîmes for over 2 000 years, and there are numerous accounts attesting to the quality and character of the wines produced.

Over the course of their history, the wines coming from these hillsides have enjoyed a reputation that was often built on that of the abbeys (Caunes-Minervois, Valmagne, Lagrasse, Fontfroide, etc.). Thus, Saint-Saturnin and Cabrières owe their origins to a companion of Saint Benedict of Aniane. Montpeyroux was a residence owned by the bishops of Montpellier from the 14th century onwards, and provided them with highly esteemed wines. The same is true of Saint-Aignan (Saint-Chinian), as Jean Clavel wrote in his book Histoire et avenir des vins en Languedoc [The history and future of wine in the Languedoc] (Edition Privat, 1985).

In a report to the King in 1788, the intendant, Baron de Ballainvilliers, wrote as follows: ‘These are all wines with a designation, which, under the generic name vins de Narbonne, were quite rightly held in high regard outside the province and outside France, in particular the wines of Lapalme, Leucate, Fitou ...’

In 1816, in Topographie de tous les vignobles connus [Topography of all the known vineyards], André Jullien highlighted the specific quality that the wines have on account of their place of origin and mentioned the vineyards located to the north of the river Têt, as far as Espira-de-l’Agly and Rivesaltes, and the wines of ‘Saint-Christol’, ‘Saint-Georges d’Orques’ and ‘Saint-Drézéry’: ‘The wines have a pleasant, clean taste, are full-bodied and spirituous, and are very distinguished after five or six years of ageing’.

That specific quality attributable to the wines’ place of origin is achieved because the demarcated parcel area for harvesting the grapes comprises parcels with soils that do not restrict root growth and are capable of providing the plants with a moderate and regular water supply so that they can withstand the hot, dry summers. The area consists of parcels with good exposure, stretching from the sea to an altitude of 400 m.

Most of the parcels are located on hillsides close to the sea or on the steeper slopes of the submontane zone, sometimes arranged in terraces.

The surface area of this precisely demarcated area accounts for less than a third of the total area of the region’s vineyards, and the wine that is produced there accounts for less than 15 % of the volume produced in the region.

The choice of vine varieties and planting location has been determined by the climate and the type of soil. The varieties have a fairly long growth cycle and sufficient resistance to drought and heat and thrive in high cumulative temperatures. Yield management, resulting in moderate yields, ensures that the harvest is fully ripe before the autumn rains come, and the wind helps to keep the grapes healthy.

The specific hot, dry Mediterranean climate allows ripe tannins to develop in the red wines and brings out the characteristic roundness of the rosé and white wines.

After the Second World War, many of the hillside vineyards had to be replanted, which strengthened the hold of the traditional varieties. The replanting of the vineyards signalled the start of a collective move towards recreating the region’s historic viticulture, bringing together the wine cooperatives and associations of independent estates.

The introduction of mechanisation and the more widespread cultivation of long-branched varieties, such as Syrah N, which must be trellised, have led to a change in cultivation methods. Vineyard parcels which used to be planted in squares without trellising have largely been replaced by parcels where the distance between rows does not exceed 2,50 m and the minimum planting density is 4 000 vines per hectare. However, the pruning method has remained the same: principally short, and always with a limited number of count buds per vine.

9. Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

—	The registered designation of origin ‘Languedoc’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’, which must be accompanied by the year of vintage.

—

Wines covered by the ‘Languedoc’ registered designation of origin and presented with that designation, whether or not it is accompanied by the supplementary geographical names ‘Cabrières’, ‘Grés de Montpellier’, ‘La Méjanelle’, ‘Montpeyroux’, ‘Pézenas’, ‘Quatourze’, ‘Saint-Christol’, ‘Saint-Drézéry’, ‘Saint-Georges-d’Orques’, ‘Saint-Saturnin’ or ‘Sommières’, cannot be declared after harvest, offered to the public, dispatched, marketed or sold unless the registered designation of origin, accompanied where necessary by any supplementary geographical names, appears in the accompanying documents, in the stock declaration, in advertisements, in catalogues and on any labels, invoices or containers.

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

The area in immediate proximity, defined by derogation for making and processing the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2022:

—

Department of Aude: Alaigne, Arques, Arzens, Auriac, Belcastel-et-Buc, Berriac, La Bezole, Bourigeole, Bram, Brousses-et-Villaret, Brugairolles, Bugarach, Camps-sur-l'Agly, Carcassonne, Castans, Caudebronde, Caunette-sur-Lauquet, Caux-et-Sauzens, Citou, Clermont-sur-Lauquet, Couffoulens, Coursan, Courtauly, Cubières-sur-Cinoble, Cuxac-Cabardès, Cuxac-d'Aude, Donazac, Fajac-en-Val, Fontiers-Cabardès, Granès, Greffeil, Labastide-Esparbairenque, Lairière, Lauraguel, Lespinassière, Leuc, Malviès, Marcorignan, Mas-Cabardès, Mas-des-Cours, Massac, Miraval-Cabardès, Missègre, Montclar, Monthaut, Montjardin, Montjoi, Montréal, Moussan, Mouthoumet, Ouveillan, Palaja, Pomy, Pradelles-Cabardès, Preixan, Puilaurens, Puivert, Quillan, Raissac-d'Aude, Raissac-sur-Lampy, Rennes-le-Château, Rennes-les-Bains, Roquefère, Routier, Saint-Benoît, Saint-Denis, Saint-Ferriol, Saint-Jean-de-Paracol, Saint-Louis-et-Parahou, Saint-Marcel-sur-Aude, Saint-Martin-des-Puits, Saint-Martin-de-Villereglan, Saint-Martin-le-Vieil, Saissac, Sallèles-d'Aude, Salza, Soulatgé, Terroles, Val du Faby (for the part corresponding to the territory of the delegated municipality of Rouvenac), Valmigère, Véraza, Verzeille, Villarzel-du-Razès, Villedaigne, Villefloure, Villefort, Villesèquelande.

—

Department of Gard: Aigremont, Aigues-Mortes, Aigues-Vives, Aimargues, Aubais, Bernis, Boissières, Bouillargues, Bragassargues, Caissargues, La Calmette, Caveirac, Clarensac, Congénies, Cros, Dions, Domessargues, Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac, Fons, Gajan, Gallargues-le-Montueux, Générac, Marguerittes, Milhaud, Monoblet, Montagnac, Mus, Parignargues, Pompignan, Poulx, Puechredon, Quissac, Rodilhan, Rogues, La Rouvière, Sainte-Anastasie, Saint-Côme-et-Maruéjols, Saint-Dionisy, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Roman-de-Codières, Saint-Théodorit, Sauve, Sumène, Uchaud, Vergèze.

Area in immediate proximity (cont.)

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

—

Department of Hérault: Abeilhan, Agde, Agonès, Les Aires, Aumes, Baillargues, Balaruc-le-Vieux, Bédarieux, Bélarga, Bessan, Boisset, La Boissière, Bouzigues, Brenas, Buzignargues, Campagnan, Candillargues, Capestang, Cazilhac, Cazouls-d'Hérault, Celles, Cers, Clapiers, Colombiers, Coulobres, Le Crès, Le Cros, Dio-et-Valquières, Espondeilhan, Fabrègues, Ferrals-les-Montagnes, Ferrières-les-Verreries, Frontignan, Galargues, Ganges, Gigean, Gorniès, Grabels, La Grande-Motte, Hérépian, Jacou, Lansargues, Laroque, Lattes, Lespignan, Lézignan-la-Cèbe, Lieuran-lès-Béziers, Lignan-sur-Orb, Loupian, Lunas, Maraussan, Marseillan, Marsillargues, Mas-de-Londres, Maureilhan, Mireval, Mons, Montady, Montaud, Montels, Montferrier-sur-Lez, Mudaison, Notre-Dame-de-Londres, Olargues, Pailhès, Palavas-les-Flots,

Area in immediate proximity (cont.)

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

—

Department of Hérault (continued): Pardailhan, Pérols, Pézènes-les-Mines, Les Plans, Poilhes, Popian, Portiragnes, Le Pouget, Pouzols, Puilacher, Puimisson, Puissalicon, Rieussec, Riols, Les Rives, Romiguières, Roqueredonde, Rouet, Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois, Saint-Brès, Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan, Saint-Étienne-de-Gourgas, Saint-Félix-de-l'Héras, Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Saint-Hilaire-de-Beauvoir, Saint-Jean-de-Cornies, Saint-Jean-de-Védas, Saint-Just, Saint-Martin-de-Londres, Saint-Maurice-Navacelles, Saint-Michel, Saint-Nazaire-de-Pézan, Saint-Paul-et-Valmalle, Saint-Pierre-de-la-Fage, Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, Salasc, Saussan, Saussines, Sète, Teyran, Thézan-lès-Béziers, Tourbes, Tressan, Usclas-d'Hérault, La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries, Valergues, Valras-Plage, Valros, Vélieux, Vendargues, Vias, Vic-la-Gardiole, Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, Villetelle, Viols-en-Laval, Viols-le-Fort.

—

Department of Pyrénées-Orientales: L'Albère, Alénya, Arles-sur-Tech, Baillestavy, Le Barcarès, Bompas, Boule-d'Amont, Calmeilles, Campoussy, Casefabre, Eus, Fenouillet, Glorianes, Los Masos, Molitg-les-Bains, Montbolo, Mosset, Le Perthus, Prunet-et-Belpuig, Rabouillet, Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque, Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, Saint-Marsal, Taurinya, Théza, Torreilles, Valmanya, Villelongue-de-la-Salanque, Vira.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-8ef49dd4-fc13-4e4b-bec0-611b3003b9c1

(1) OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.

29.6.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 227/24

Publication of an application for registration of a name 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

(2023/C 227/12)

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) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

’Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara'

EU No: PDO -ES-02828 — 3.2.2022

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

’Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara'

2. Member State or Third Country

Spain

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.5. Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oil, etc.)

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

The product covered by this PDO is extra virgin olive oil obtained from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) by mechanical or other physical means which do not alter the oil and which preserve the taste, aroma and characteristics of the fruit from which it is produced.

‘Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’ oil can be monovarietal or multivarietal, obtained solely or mostly (≥75,00 %) from the main olive varieties in the district, i.e. Cornicabra, Manzanilla Cacereña and/or Picual.

To be eligible for certification, at least 75 % (≥75,00 %) of the composition of the oils must be from the main varieties (Cornicabra, Manzanilla Cacereña and/or Picual). Less than 25 % (<25,00 %) can be obtained from other varieties (Verdial de Badajoz, Arbequina and/or Morisca) grown in the areas included in the PDO.

Maximum parameters allowed for extra virgin olive oils with the ‘Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’ designation of origin:

Acidity ( %)	Not exceeding 0,6 %
Peroxide value (meq O2/kg)	Not exceeding 16 meq O2/kg
K232	Maximum 2,20
K270	Not exceeding 0,20
Sensory evaluation
Median score for defects	Md=0
Median score for fruitiness	Mf≥2,0

Organoleptic tests on the product ‘Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’ reveal a sensory profile featuring at least three descriptors, including both direct and indirect (retronasal) olfactory aromas, with the highlights being aromas of olives, herbs, olive leaves, apple and tomato. Its fruitiness intensity score is Mf ≥ 2,0. The median for bitterness and pungency are above 1,5 and below 4,5.

Monounsaturated fatty acid values are 75 % or higher, while polyunsaturated fatty acids are below 11 %.

Values not provided are necessarily within the legal limits, in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

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

The olives must be produced in the area described in point 4.

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

All steps in production must take place in the geographical area described in point 4.

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

In order to preserve the typical characteristics of the product at all stages and ensure the quality of the oils covered by the designation, the packaging process must be carried out within the demarcated geographical area set out in point 4. In this way, the inspection bodies can have total control of the production and the final handling of the product remains in the hands of the area's producers. These are the people who know best how the oils produced in the district are affected by the various packaging processes, such as the typical decanting time and methods, the reaction to the cold typical of the district, and their optimal storage conditions. The goal is to remove possible suspended solids and moisture in a bid to shorten the decanting time and the loss of aromas due to intensive filtration. This method of ensuring that the oils are clear helps to reduce the loss in intensity of the positive attributes (bitterness and pungency), while also mitigating loss of quality risks. Failing to do so would mean sediments would form, leading to anaerobic fermentation and diminished sensory and nutritional qualities.

The oil may be packaged in all containers permitted by the applicable legislation with a capacity of 5 litres or less: glass containers, food-grade coated metal, PE, PET, vitrified ceramic, Tetra Brik, aluminium bags, etc.

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

Besides the trade name, the labels on the oil containers must include the logo of the protected designation with the words ‘Denominación de Origen Protegida (or D.O.P.) Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’ [Protected designation of origin (or PDO) ‘Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’] and the conformity mark issued by the product certification body that belongs to the inspection body.

The product must also carry a conformity mark known as a secondary label, identified by an alphanumeric code, to be affixed by the packing plant in such a way that it cannot be reused and permitting traceability to be guaranteed.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The district of Villuercas Ibores Jara is located in the southeast of the province of Cáceres. It borders the province of Toledo to the west, the district of Campo Arañuelo to the north, Vegas Altas del Guadiana and La Siberia to the south, and Miajadas-Trujillo to the west. The district consists of three territories, Jara to the northeast, Los Ibores to the north-west and Villuercas. These three sub-units make up a distinct and physically homogeneous geographical unit as they form a perfectly defined mountainous range located between the Tagus and Guadiana rivers.

List of municipalities:

Aldeacentenera

Alía (comprising Guadisa, Puerto del Rey, Pantano de Cíjara and La Calera)

Berzocana

Cabañas del Castillo (comprising Solana, Retamosa and Roturas)

Campillo de Deleitosa

Cañamero

Carrascalejo

Castañar de Ibor

Deleitosa

Fresnedoso de Ibor

Garvín

Guadalupe

Logrosán

Navalvillar de Ibor

Navezuelas

Peraleda de San Román

Robledollano

Valdelacasa de Tajo

Villar del Pedroso (with Navatrasierra as a local authority of a lower level than a municipality)

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

Natural factors

Throughout its history, the district has endured isolation on account of its mountainous relief and its location outside the main communication routes, far removed from the main cities. Its natural and cultural heritage is therefore very well preserved. This is proven by the fact that genetic tests conducted on the main varieties of olive trees grown in Extremadura show that the Manzanilla Cacereña and Cornicabra varieties grown in Villuercas Ibores Jara are distinct from those grown in other olive-growing areas featuring the same varieties.

The agricultural land in the district is divided into smallholdings, with an average parcel size of less than 1,06 ha and olive trees over 50 years of age planted a foot apart in a wide layout (9x10). The olive growers’ skill in handling the crop is handed down from one generation to the next. The Manzanilla Cacereña and Cornicabra varieties have co-existed since ancient times, often within the same parcel, for the purpose of staggering the harvest and enabling different culinary purposes.

Ownership of the land is widely spread. This makes olive growing eminently social, with families doing all the farm work, particularly the harvest. The inhabitants of the district have also been consuming their own local olive oil for over 300 years. In the last century, as olive growing expanded into land previously used for vineyards and grain crops, the higher yields and population emigration led to more olive oil from Villuercas Ibores Jara being placed on the market.

In terms of relief, the area is made up of Appalachian-like folded landforms, unique in Spain, consisting of a succession of NW-SE oriented mountain ranges and valleys in parallel. This very ancient residual relief emerged and folded during the Palaeozoic Era and was eroded in subsequent periods, taking on its current appearance of imposingly high quartzite crests interspersed with deep slaty tilled valleys. The rich geology in the area caused the district to be declared a UNESCO Global Geopark on 17 September 2011.

The unique geology of the Villuercas Ibores Jara area has a major impact on how the landscape units are configured, as a result of the effects of the geomorphological processes on the geological substrate throughout its geological history.

The monthly change in temperatures in the district of Villuercas Ibores Jara varies depending on the locality, but normally ranges between 8,2 °C and 24,1 °C. Temperatures in the district are generally affected by its significant solar irradiation, with hot summers and mild winters. There are about 3 000 hours of sunshine per year. The mean temperature in the district ranges from a minimum of 6,3 oC in January to 25,7 oC in July.

The district is located in the area known as ‘humid Extremadura’, where precipitation is about 600-700 mm/year in the areas with lower slopes, rising to 700-850 mm/year in the Sierra de las Villuercas massif. It is important to note the difference between the various areas of the district, as the highest precipitation is recorded in the north-west and the lowest (400-600 mm) in the east.

Historical and human factors

Olive trees have featured in the landscape of the Villuercas Ibores Jara district for over six hundred years, as a staple crop grown both for table olives and for olive oil production. Olive plantations are at an all-time high in the district, covering 12 416 hectares, as land used in previous years for vines or grain is now being used for this more competitive crop.

These plantations have adapted since ancient times to the terrain in Villuercas Ibores Jara, in terms of parcel size, varieties cultivated and the mechanisation of cultivation practices. The ‘Libro de los Oficios del Monasterio de Guadalupe’ [Book of Occupations of the Monastery of Guadalupe], which describes the main types of work carried out in connection with the monastery’s activities at the turn of the 16th century, included recommendations on how to grow and process olives. These practices have continued up to modern times. The same can be said of the harvesting dates recommended for each variety, which take account of the fact that the olives ripen more slowly than in other olive-growing areas.

Similarly, the growing practices employed in the olive groves since ancient times have sought to adapt their growth to the soil, climate and terrain, while preventing pests and disease, easing the harvest process and ensuring that the olives ripen evenly. The olive trees usually have three or four main branches between 1.0 and 1.5 metres above the ground and at equal heights, followed by a few thick secondary branches. Foliage is scarce and not very dense, with a low crown volume. This is in order to ensure exposure to the sun’s rays, which facilities harvesting by hand, allowing for olives with a higher fat content and reducing the need for phytosanitary products.

5.2. Specificity of the product

The olive oils produced in Villuercas Ibores Jara are essentially obtained from the Manzanilla Cacereña, Cornicabra and Picual varieties, which make up at least 75,00 % of the oil on an individual or blended basis. The Arbequina variety shall account for a maximum of 25,00 %, like other minority varieties (Morisca and Verdial de Badajoz) traditionally used in some localities in the district.

The link that is evident in the characteristics of olive oil from Villuercas Ibores Jara can also be perceived in its sensory properties. ‘Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’ has a complex organoleptic profile, with at least three discernible descriptors in terms of fruitiness (usually fruity to green leaf olive, apple and tomato). Its fruitiness intensity score is Mf ≥ 2,0. The median for bitterness and pungency are above 1,5 and below 4,5.

The soil and climate conditions, which have also resulted in genetic differentiation from other areas, cause a physiological response in the olive trees, increasing the intensity of the sensory descriptors and the phenol and fatty acid composition as reported in the supporting study.

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 interplay between the natural factors (soil and climate), the unique genetic profiles of the varieties nurtured by the selection of genetic material and vegetative propagation by our olive growers over the centuries and the olive grove management result in a distinctive product with distinguishable physical and chemical properties.

The thermal conditions also help to avoid plant health problems, at least to the same extent as in neighbouring districts, encouraging a slow ripening process that helps to ensure the good quality of the harvested olives. This allows for a very long harvest season between October and January, which means that olive growers and oil producers can plan the olive harvesting season.

The high oleic acid content reported in the supporting study shows that monovarietal oils made from the Manzanilla Cacereña and Cornicabra varieties in the Villuercas Ibores Jara district have a higher monounsaturated fatty acid content, specifically as regards the oleic / (palmitic + linoleic) ratio, than oils obtained from samples of olives of the same varieties taken in other localities where these varieties are typically grown.

In addition to this result, mention is also made of two independent R&D projects which analysed the composition of oils produced by the mills in the district in 2014-15 and the fatty acid composition of different oil mills in Villuercas Ibores Jara. These studies indicate that samples taken from the olive mills prove that the soil and climate conditions in the district result in a composition that differs from that of oils made from the same varieties in other nearby regions.

As regards the phenolic compounds, the shallow, acidic, poor soils with low water retention capacity in the area are conducive to the accumulation of phenols and volatile compounds in the olives. Another factor is the typical pruning method used, whereby leaves are thinned to give the fruit more exposure to sunlight, thus causing phenols to build up and resulting in a higher oleic acid content in the fruit. All of these factors combine to produce olive oil with a distinctive composition and sensory profile.

The ripeness of the olives when harvested, altitude, climate conditions, unique geology, olive grove management and optimal processing are the factors that affect the fatty acid composition of ‘Aceite Villuercas Ibores Jara’, determining a high proportion of oleic acid (in excess of 75.00 %) and a distinctive sensory profile (in terms of aroma, taste and tactile perception). All of these factors are inextricably linked to the expertise of the olive mills, as extracting the oil at low temperatures, keeping the percentage of water used in the process low and preserving the oils in suitable containers that are entirely inert, ensures that the organoleptic characteristics of the oils are protected and maintained.

Reference to publication of the specification

https://www.juntaex.es/documents/77055/621148/Pliego+condiciones+DOP+Aceite+Villuercas+Ibores+Jara.pdf

(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

		ISSN 1977-091X
Official Journal of the European Union		C 227

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 66 29 June 2023

Contents		page
	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2023/C 227/01	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10659 – VITERRA / GAVILON AGRICULTURE INVESTMENT) ( 1 )	1
2023/C 227/02	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10917 – SCHÜCO / METALLINVEST / RSFB / AWB) ( 1 )	2
2023/C 227/03	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.11102 – SILVER FAWN / MHI / AYOSA HOTELES / EVERTMEL / JAMAICA DEVCO) ( 1 )	3
2023/C 227/04	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.11129 – BAIN CAPITAL / APFARGE / WHI) ( 1 )	4

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Parliament
2023/C 227/05	Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 12 June 2023 amending the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament	5
	European Commission
2023/C 227/06	Euro exchange rates – 28 June 2023	9
2023/C 227/07	Commission Decision of 15 May 2023 correcting Decision C(2023) 2678 final on instructing the Central Administrator of the European Union Transaction Log to enter changes to the national aviation allocation table of Italy for 2022 and 2023 into the European Union Transaction Log	10
2023/C 227/08	Commission statement on the occasion of the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of the European Parliament and of the Council	11
	Court of Auditors
2023/C 227/09	Special report 18/2023: EU climate and energy targets – 2020 targets achieved, but little indication that actions to reach the 2030 targets will be sufficient	12
	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2023/C 227/10	Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries	13

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,0938
JPY	Japanese yen	157,82
DKK	Danish krone	7,4469
GBP	Pound sterling	0,86420
SEK	Swedish krona	11,7950
CHF	Swiss franc	0,9822
ISK	Iceland króna	148,50
NOK	Norwegian krone	11,8395
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	23,683
HUF	Hungarian forint	371,73
PLN	Polish zloty	4,4763
RON	Romanian leu	4,9604
TRY	Turkish lira	28,5166
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6525
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4491
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	8,5667
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7992
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,4799
KRW	South Korean won	1 434,33
ZAR	South African rand	20,4828
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	7,9262
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	16 398,98
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	5,1097
PHP	Philippine peso	60,400
RUB	Russian rouble
THB	Thai baht	38,950
BRL	Brazilian real	5,2940
MXN	Mexican peso	18,6835
INR	Indian rupee	89,7465

Date and time of closure	30.5.2023
Duration	30.5.2023 - 31.12.2023
Member State	Portugal
Stock or Group of stocks	BET/ATLANT (including BET/ATLLL and BET/ATLPS)
Species	Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)
Zone	Atlantic Ocean
Type(s) of fishing vessels	—
Reference number	02/TQ194

	V Announcements
	OTHER ACTS
	European Commission
2023/C 227/11	Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33	14
2023/C 227/12	Publication of an application for registration of a name 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	24


	(1) Text with EEA relevance.