15.2.2011

Official Journal of the European Union

C 47/1

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 47/01

Date of adoption of the decision

17.11.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 144/10

Member State

Netherlands

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

O&O-steun aan Rekkof

Legal basis

Kaderwet EZ-subsidies; O&O-programma Civiele Vliegtuigontwikkeling

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Research and development, Sectoral development

Form of aid

Reimbursable grant

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 19,72 million

Intensity

33 %

Duration (period)

Until 31.12.2012

Economic sectors

Manufacturing industry

Name and address of the granting authority

Ministerie van Economische Zaken

Postbus 20101

2500 EC Den Haag

NEDERLAND

Other information

—

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

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

Date of adoption of the decision

10.12.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 336/10

Member State

Austria

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Breitband Austria Zwanzigdreizehn

Legal basis

Sonderrichtlinie Breitband Austria Zwanzigdreizehn

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Sectoral development

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 10 million

Overall budget: EUR 26 million

Intensity

75 %

Duration (period)

1.1.2011-31.12.2013

Economic sectors

Post and telecommunications

Name and address of the granting authority

Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie

Ghegastrabe 1

1030 Wien

ÖSTERREICH

Other information

—

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

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

15.2.2011

Official Journal of the European Union

C 47/3

Euro exchange rates (1)

14 February 2011

2011/C 47/02

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,3440
JPY	Japanese yen	112,15
DKK	Danish krone	7,4568
GBP	Pound sterling	0,84000
SEK	Swedish krona	8,7562
CHF	Swiss franc	1,3065
ISK	Iceland króna
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,8770
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	24,235
HUF	Hungarian forint	272,35
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7058
PLN	Polish zloty	3,9436
RON	Romanian leu	4,2490
TRY	Turkish lira	2,1460
AUD	Australian dollar	1,3430
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,3280
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	10,4735
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7797
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,7233
KRW	South Korean won	1 511,82
ZAR	South African rand	9,8273
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	8,8662
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,4120
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	11 978,93
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,1026
PHP	Philippine peso	58,667
RUB	Russian rouble	39,3787
THB	Thai baht	41,368
BRL	Brazilian real	2,2438
MXN	Mexican peso	16,1932
INR	Indian rupee	61,1520

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

15.2.2011

Official Journal of the European Union

C 47/4

Summary information communicated by Member States on State aid granted in conformity with Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production, processing and marketing of fisheries products

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 47/03

Aid No: XF 18/10

Member State: Ireland

Region/authority granting the aid: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving an ad hoc aid: Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Scheme

Legal basis: Sea Fisheries Act 1952 (No 7 of 1952)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 700 000 per annum in the period 2010 to 2014

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of eligible expenditure for investment projects promoted by the private sector

Date of entry into force:

Duration of the scheme (not later than 30 June 2014); indicate:

—	under the scheme: aid will be granted: until the 30 June 2014

—	in the case of an ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last installment to be paid: not applicable

Objective of aid: The objectives of the Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Scheme are aimed at promoting investment in innovative technology and trialling such technology under commercial conditions to improve performance and competitiveness, establishing the economic and technical feasibility of new sites and species, assisting measures to improve long-term environmental sustainability, investing in measures to improve fish health and welfare and product quality, developing improvements in occupational health and safety in aquaculture, enhancing the skills and knowledge base of the industry and integrating and harmonisation of aquaculture into coastal communities and rural areas

Indicate which of Articles 8 to 24 is used: Articles 11 and 21

Activity concerned: Investment in innovative technology and trialling such technology under commercial conditions to improve performance and competitiveness, establishing the economic and technical feasibility of new sites and species, assisting measures to improve long-term environmental sustainability, investing in measures to improve fish health and welfare and product quality, developing improvements in occupational health and safety in aquaculture, enhancing the skills and knowledge base of the industry and integrating and harmonisation of aquaculture into coastal communities and rural areas

Name and address of the granting authority:

An Bord Iascaigh Mhara

PO Box 12

Crofton Road

Dún Laoghaire

Co. Dublin

IRELAND

Web address where the full text of the scheme or the criteria and conditions under which ad hoc aid is granted outside of an aid scheme can be found: http://www.bim.ie

Motivation: indicate why a State aid scheme has been established instead of assistance under the European Fisheries Fund: The funding allocated to Ireland from the European Fisheries Fund was prioritised for decommissioning of the fishing fleet. The development of aquaculture will be funded by the Irish Government from annual Exchequer allocations in the vote of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, included in the vote of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Aid No: XF 23/10

Member State: Ireland

Region/authority granting the aid: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving an ad hoc aid: Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Scheme

Legal basis: Sea Fisheries Act 1952 (No 7 of 1952)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 700 000 per annum in the period 2010 to 2014

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of eligible expenditure for investment projects promoted by the private sector

Date of entry into force:

Duration of the scheme (not later than 30 June 2014); indicate:

—	under the scheme: aid will be granted: until the 30 June 2014

—	in the case of an ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last installment to be paid: not applicable

Indicate which of Articles 8 to 24 is used: Articles 11 and 21

Name and address of the granting authority:

An Bord Iascaigh Mhara

PO Box 12

Crofton Road

Dún Laoghaire

Co. Dublin

IRELAND

Web address where the full text of the scheme or the criteria and conditions under which ad hoc aid is granted outside of an aid scheme can be found: http://www.bim.ie

Aid No: XF 36/10

Member State: Ireland

Region/authority granting the aid: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving an ad hoc aid: Seafood Graduate Development Scheme

Legal basis: Sea Fisheries Act 1952 (No 7 of 1952)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 250 000

Maximum aid intensity: Up to maximum of 40 % of eligible private sector projects and up to 100 % of public projects carried out in the collective interest by public bodies and/or research institutions

Date of entry into force: Operative date 1 November 2010

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award (not later than 30 June 2014); indicate:

—	under the scheme: aid will be granted until 30 June 2014

—	in the case of an ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last installment to be paid: not applicable

Objective of aid: The objective of the scheme is to support the development of the sector through deployment of specialised graduates with business development/marketing and seafood new product development skills.

This Scheme is being paid under Articles 17, 21 and 23 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 of the 22 July 2008.

Indicate which of Articles 8 to 24 is used: Articles 17, 21 and 23

Activity concerned: Seafood Production, Processing and Trade Sectors

Name and address of the granting authority:

An Bord Iascaigh Mhara

PO Box 12

Crofton Road

Dún Laoghaire

Co. Dublin

IRELAND

Web address where the full text of the scheme or the criteria and conditions under which ad hoc aid is granted outside of an aid scheme can be found: http://www.bim.ie/templates/text_content.asp?node_id=1085

Motivation: indicate why a State aid scheme has been established instead of assistance under the European Fisheries Fund: The funding allocated to Ireland from the European Fisheries Fund was prioritised for other Measures, in particular, Decommissioning of the fishing fleet, Environmental Friendly Systems for Fisheries, Inshore Management of Fisheries and Axis 4 (Development of Coastal Communities).

15.2.2011

Official Journal of the European Union

C 47/7

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 47/04

Aid No: XF 19/10

Member State: Spain

Region/authority granting the aid: Comunitat Valenciana/Generalitat

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving ad hoc aid: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, el Ayuntamiento de Guardamar del Segura y la Cofradía de pescadores de Guardamar del Segura para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Legal basis: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, a través de la Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, el Ayuntamiento de Guardamar del Segura y la Cofradía de pescadores de Guardamar del Segura para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 10 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50 % of eligible expenditure (the remaining 50 % will be financed from the budget of the Ayuntamiento de Guardamar del Segura (Guardamar del Segura Municipal Council))

Date of entry into force:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award; indicate:

—	under the scheme: the date until which aid may be granted
X	in the case of ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last instalment to be paid: 31 December 2010

Objective of aid: Development of a policy of quality and value enhancement, development of new markets or promotional campaigns for fresh fishery products

Indicate which of Article(s) 8 to 24 is used: Article 20

Activity concerned: Promotion of fresh fishery products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Generalitat de la Comunitat Valenciana

Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación

C/ Amadeo de Saboya, 2

46010 Valencia

ESPAÑA

Web address where the full text of the scheme or the criteria and conditions under which ad hoc aid is granted outside of an aid scheme can be found: http://www.agricultura.gva.es/especiales/ayudas_agrarias/pdf/aytoguardamar2010.pdf

Motivation: indicate why a State aid scheme has been established instead of assistance under the European Fisheries Fund: The aid is financed by the Generalitat (Regional Government) using its own funds, is not cofinanced by the EEF, and is therefore not included in the fisheries Operational Programme for Spain.

Aid No: XF 20/10

Member State: Spain

Region/authority granting the aid: Comunitat Valenciana/Generalitat

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving ad hoc aid: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, el Ayuntamiento de Gandía y la Cofradía de pescadores de Gandía para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Legal basis: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, a través de la Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, el Ayuntamiento de Gandía y la Cofradía de pescadores de Gandía para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 10 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50 % of eligible expenditure (the remaining 50 % will be financed from the budget of the Ayuntamiento de Gandía (Gandía Municipal Council))

Date of entry into force:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award; indicate:

—	under the scheme: the date until which aid may be granted
X	in the case of ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last instalment to be paid: 31 December 2010

Objective of aid: Development of a policy of quality and value enhancement, development of new markets or promotional campaigns for fresh fishery products

Indicate which of Article(s) 8 to 24 is used: Article 20

Activity concerned: Promotion of fresh fishery products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Generalitat de la Comunitat Valenciana

Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación

C/ Amadeo de Saboya, 2

46010 Valencia

ESPAÑA

Aid No: XF 21/10

Member State: Spain

Region/authority granting the aid: Comunitat Valenciana/Generalitat

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving ad hoc aid: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, el Ayuntamiento de Benicarló y la Cofradía de pescadores de Benicarló para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Legal basis: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, a través de la Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, el Ayuntamiento de Benicarló y la Cofradía de pescadores de Benicarló para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 10 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50 % of eligible expenditure (the remaining 50 % will be financed from the budget of the Ayuntamiento de Benicarló (Benicarló Municipal Council))

Date of entry into force:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award; indicate:

—	under the scheme: the date until which aid may be granted
X	in the case of ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last instalment to be paid: 31 December 2010

Objective of aid: Development of a policy of quality and value enhancement, development of new markets or promotional campaigns for fresh fishery products

Indicate which of Article(s) 8 to 24 is used: Article 20

Activity concerned: Promotion of fresh fishery products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Generalitat de la Comunitat Valenciana

Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación

C/ Amadeo de Saboya, 2

46010 Valencia

ESPAÑA

Aid No: XF 22/10

Member State: Spain

Region/authority granting the aid: Comunitat Valenciana/Generalitat

Title of aid scheme/name of company receiving ad hoc aid: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, el Ayuntamiento de Denía y la Cofradía de pescadores de Denía para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Legal basis: Convenio de colaboración entre la Generalitat Valenciana, a través de la Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, el Ayuntamiento de Denía y la Cofradía de pescadores de Denía para la promoción de los productos pesqueros frescos en la Comunitat Valenciana

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or amount of ad hoc aid granted: EUR 10 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50 % of eligible expenditure (the remaining 50 % will be financed from the budget of the Ayuntamiento de Denía (Denía Municipal Council))

Date of entry into force:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award; indicate:

—	under the scheme: the date until which aid may be granted
X	in the case of ad hoc aid: the expected date of the last instalment to be paid: 31 December 2010

Objective of aid: Development of a policy of quality and value enhancement, development of new markets or promotional campaigns for fresh fishery products

Indicate which of Article(s) 8 to 24 is used: Article 20

Activity concerned: Promotion of fresh fishery products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Generalitat de la Comunitat Valenciana

Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación

C/ Amadeo de Saboya, 2

46010 Valencia

ESPAÑA

15.2.2011

Official Journal of the European Union

C 47/11

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6019 — APMT/Bolloré/Meridian Port Services)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 47/06

On 8 February 2011, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings APM Terminals BV (‘APMT’), belonging to the AP Møller-Maersk A/S group (‘APMM’, Denmark) and Bolloré SA (‘Bolloré’, France) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking Meridian Port Services Limited (‘Meridian Port Services’, Ghana) by way purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for APMM: development and operation of container terminals and related activities worldwide, containerised liner shipping, inland transportation and logistics, harbour towage, tankers, oil and gas exploration and production, retail and air transport,

—	for Bolloré: transportation and logistic services worldwide, manufacture of plastic films, ticket machine terminals, batteries and electric vehicles, fuel distribution in Europe, communication and media, advertising and the commercialisation of plantations in Cameroon, the United States and France,

—	for Meridian Port Services: development, management and operation of the container terminal at the Tema Port in Ghana, as well as associated services.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6019 — APMT/Bolloré/Meridian Port Services, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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

15.2.2011

Official Journal of the European Union

C 47/12

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2011/C 47/07

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘LOUGH NEAGH EEL’

EC No: UK-PGI-0005-0796-10.02.2010

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name:

‘Lough Neagh Eel’

2. Member State or third country:

United Kingdom

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1. Type of product:

Class 1.7.

Fresh fish, molluscs, and crustaceans and products derived therefrom

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

‘Lough Neagh Eel’ is the name given to both yellow (known as brown locally) and silver (mature) wild eels of the species Anguilla anguilla (European eel) caught in the defined area. This application covers fresh eels only.

Lough Neagh eels have the following characteristics:

—	large in size (minimum 40 cm in length, weight between 150-600 g),

—	higher fat content than eels from other locations (mature Lough Neagh eels have approximately 23 % fat),

—	the younger ‘brown/yellow eels’ are a dark green with a brown/yellow tint,

—	the older ‘silver eels’ are black with a silver tint,

—	Lough Neagh eels have a narrow head and short tail with rounded body,

—	the flesh of the fresh eel once cooked is white, soft and fluffy with an earthy flavour

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

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

No feed is provided. The eels feed in the wild.

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

The eels must be caught in the defined area using the longline or draft net method on Lough Neagh or caught at fixed weirs from the mouth of the lough up the Lower River Bann.

For processed products such as smoked eel, the geographical indication (Lough Neagh Eels) relates to the raw material, fresh Lough Neagh eels.

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

—

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:

—

4. Concise definition of the geographical area:

Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland and the Lower River Bann, from the northern shore of Lough Neagh to the Cutts at Coleraine.

5. Link with the geographical area:

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:

Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles and is the fifth largest lake in Europe, covering 150 square miles. It is fed from a number of rivers and drains to the sea via the lower River Bann at the northern shore of the lough.

The large number of rivers coming into the lough result in high sediment deposits in the lough. These sediments are very dark and are composed of silts and clays, organic matter and diatom frustules. The silts and clays are primarily derived from river-borne suspended material whilst the organic matter originates partly from catchment sources and partly from material produced within the lake. Their nature and size makes them a suitable habitat for the multitude of invertebrate life, particularly Chironomid fly larvae which are known to dominate the benthic communities in the lake and which constitute the vast bulk of eel diet.

The lough is rich in nutrients (hypertrophic) and is continually aerated by circulating winds, which ensures that the enriched nature of the lake does not result in dramatic loss of oxygen in the warmer months.

Glass eels migrate from the Sargasso Sea northwards along the Gulf Stream across the Atlantic Ocean. They follow the North Atlantic Drift up towards Ireland. They reach the tidal reaches of the River Bann on the northern coast of Northern Ireland at Coleraine where they are either caught and moved in trucks, or swim upstream to Lough Neagh. Once they reach the lough they stop, feed and mature until they are ready to return to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. When fully grown, they cease feeding and instinctively return back towards their spawning grounds. The only direct route for the eels to return to the sea is the Lower River Bann.

Lough Neagh eels are caught in three different traditional ways, two different methods for the yellow eels and a third method for the silver eels:

Yellow eels

Longline method

Fishermen set up to four nylon lines approximately 1 mile long with approximately 400 baited hooks attached to each line. These lines are then ‘lifted’ in the early hours of the following morning. This involves bringing the line aboard by hand and storing any caught eels in barrels through which fresh water is pumped, to minimise mortality.

The catch is returned to shore, where any eels under 16 inches (40 cm) in length will be returned to the lough, under the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society’s regulations, to ensure sustainable stocks for the future.

Draft net

Manual drafting of nets up to 90 yards (82,3 m) long and 18 yards (16,5 m) deep. Hydraulic pot haulers are used to retrieve the ropes attached to the nets, but the net itself must be hauled in by hand, not towed by the boat. Trawling for eels is banned to protect the bed of the lough.

Fishermen often rely on experience and an in-depth knowledge of the lough to locate the best catches under varying environmental and weather conditions.

When brought ashore, the eels are graded and eels below 40 cm are returned to the lough as part of the sustainable management of the eel stock. Other measures to manage the sustainability of the stock include a close season, when fishing is prohibited and a daily catch quota.

Silver eels

The silver eels are eels that have matured in Lough Neagh and are now instinctively beginning their migration northwards towards the coast and onwards to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce.

Silver eels can only be caught from the 1 of June to the end of February.

They are fished at fixed weirs at Toome (Toomebridge), at the exit of Lough Neagh on its northern shore, and Kilrea on the Lower River Bann, approximately 15 miles further north from Lough Neagh.

The silver eels only migrate under the cover of darkness and so they are captured at night by lowering large coghill nets into the river at the weirs. Each net is adjacent to a holding tank which sits in the river into which the captured eels are placed. These tanks can be raised and lowered to take account of the water level in the river depending on fluctuating rainfall.

The eels are then taken to the Co-operative’s factory for grading and onward transportation, similarly to the yellow eels.

Sustainability and stock management

The European eel is listed in Annex II to CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species). In addition, Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel proposes that Eel Management Plans should be put in place.

To ensure the sustainability of the European eel stock in the Neagh/Bann basin, an Eel Management Plan is in place which was developed and is operated in conjunction with the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society. To maintain stocks, a number of measures are in place. These measures can only be practically managed through a licensing system, which is operated by the Society. There are no restrictions regarding who can apply for a licence. Membership of the society is not a prerequisite when applying for a licence, but if a licence is granted, then the fisherman may become a member of the Co-operative Society.

The Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society manages the sustainability of the eel fishery through a number of measures.

—	Control of the issuing of licenses: the Co-operative issues approximately 180 licences each year. The licensed boat owner must be present in the boat at all times when fishing is taking place.

—	Control of fishing methods: eel fishing can only take place using the longline or draft net process. The lines are subject to a maximum number of hooks. There is a limit set regarding the size of both the boat and the net.

—	Catch quotas: a daily catch quota is set for each boat to ensure that the lough is not overfished.

—	Minimum catch size: eels under 40 cm must be returned to the water by the fishermen. If undersized eels are sent to the factory, then they are returned to the water at the factory and penalties may be imposed.

—	Operation of close season: fishing for both yellow and silver eels is restricted to certain times of the year to allow for replenishment of stocks.

—	Protection Service: 24-hour protection service operates to ensure that only licensed fishermen fish for eels.

—	‘Trap & truck’ operation: to assist the inward migration of elvers up the River Bann to Lough Neagh, many are caught at eel traps and transported in tanks to the lough to increase the number of elvers arriving in the lough each year.

—	Traditional straw ropes: straw ropes are hand-made and laid on the elver passes to assist the elvers passage upstream to the lough. This increases the success rate for inward migration to the lough.

—	Maintenance of a ‘Queen’s Gap’ at the silver eel weirs: a 10 % unfished gap (Queen’s Gap) is maintained at the eel weirs where the silver eels are caught to allow some of the stock to return to their mating grounds in the Sargasso Sea.

—

Purchase of elvers from other areas to supplement natural recruitment to the stock: in recent years the natural migration of elvers to Lough Neagh has declined and so the Co-operative buys elvers from other areas which the mature in the lough. These elvers will then mature in the lough which gives them the distinct characteristics of Lough Neagh eels.

5.2. Specificity of the product:

Lough Neagh eels have a reputation across Europe as a result of their high fat content (mature eels have approximately 23 % fat), which makes them ideal for smoking. Practically all of the eels from Lough Neagh are sold outside Ireland. Some make their way to Billingsgate in London, with the majority going to the Netherlands and Northern Germany, where they are smoked.

Lough Neagh eels feed primarily on the invertebrate larvae that is predominant in Lough Neagh. This type of feeding means that they have a narrower head when compared to eels from other regions that feed on fish.

The eels are caught using sustainable fishing techniques which ensure good management of the eel fishery.

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 longstanding historical tradition and techniques used in the catching of eels in the specified geographical area forms the basis of the link to the geographical area. In addition, the application is based on Lough Neagh eels’ reputation for having a higher fat content than eels from other areas.

Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles which boasts many specific characteristics as described in Section 5.1 which gives rise to a habitat which provides high value food contributing to the unique higher fat content from eels in Lough Neagh.

There is a longstanding historical tradition, with evidence that fishing for wild eels has taken place on Lough Neagh since the Bronze Age. The technique of catching eels in the specified geographical area has been longstanding and it is these methods that are still in use today.

The fishermen still use many of the traditional methods used by generations before them. They are caught using sustainable practices managed by the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society. The practices adopted include the maintenance of a ‘Queens Gap’ which provides a 10 % gap at the eel weirs to enable the silver (mature) eels to return to mating grounds in the Sargasso Sea.

The importance and reputation of eel fishing in Lough Neagh is evident throughout history. Many poems have been written about the fishermen of the area and a number of superstitions have been held by the eel fishermen. More recently, a sculpture erected in the town of Toome showing eels swimming reflects the relevance the eel fishery has in local history and heritage of the area.

Most of the Lough Neagh eels are sold to traders in the Netherlands, where they class Lough Neagh eels as the best in the world for smoking. As such, eels from Lough Neagh are highly sought after and command much higher prices than either farmed eels, or eels from elsewhere.

Reference to publication of the specification:

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

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/industry/regional/foodname/products/documents/lough-neagh-eel-pgi.pdf

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

		ISSN 1725-2423 doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2011.047.eng
Official Journal of the European Union		C 47

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 54 15 February 2011

Notice No	Contents	page
	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2011/C 047/01	Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 1 )	1

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2011/C 047/02	Euro exchange rates	3

	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2011/C 047/03	Summary information communicated by Member States on State aid granted in conformity with Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production, processing and marketing of fisheries products ( 1 )	4

2011/C 047/04	Summary information communicated by Member States on State aid granted in conformity with Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production, processing and marketing of fisheries products ( 1 )	7

	V Announcements
	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY
	European Commission
2011/C 047/05	Notice of the impending expiry of certain anti-dumping measures	10

	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
	European Commission
2011/C 047/06	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6019 — APMT/Bolloré/Meridian Port Services) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	11

	OTHER ACTS
	European Commission
2011/C 047/07	Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs	12

Product	Country(ies) of origin or exportation	Measures	Reference	Date of expiry
Furfuryl alcohol	People's Republic of China	Anti-dumping duty	Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1202/2009 (OJ L 323, 10.12.2009, p. 48)	10.12.2011