# Official Journal C 195/2016

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 195 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 592 June 2016 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 195

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 592 June 2016

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | III   Preparatory acts |
| | European Central Bank |
| 2016/C 195/01 | Opinion of the European Central Bank of 17 March 2016 on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading (CON/2016/15) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

III   Preparatory acts

European Central Bank

2016/C 195/01

Opinion of the European Central Bank of 17 March 2016 on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading (CON/2016/15)

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 195/02 | Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 0,00 % on 1 June 2016 — Euro exchange rates | 4 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2016/C 195/03 | Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Repeal of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services | 5 |
| 2016/C 195/04 | Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Repeal of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services | 6 |
| 2016/C 195/05 | Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Establishment of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services | 7 |
| 2016/C 195/06 | Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations | 8 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 195/02

Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 0,00 % on 1 June 2016 — Euro exchange rates

4

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2016/C 195/03

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Repeal of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

5

2016/C 195/04

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Repeal of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

6

2016/C 195/05

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Establishment of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

7

2016/C 195/06

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

8

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 195/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7965 — World Fuel Services Corporation/Certain aviation fuels assets belonging to Exxon) (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 195/08 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 10 |
| 2016/C 195/09 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 15 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2016/C 195/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7965 — World Fuel Services Corporation/Certain aviation fuels assets belonging to Exxon) (
  1
  )

1

9

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2016/C 195/08

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

10

2016/C 195/09

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

15

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| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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III Preparatory acts

European Central Bank

| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/1

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OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 17 March 2016

on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading

(CON/2016/15)

(2016/C 195/01)

Introduction and legal basis

On 8 March 2016 the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Council for an opinion on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading (1) (hereinafter the ‘proposed regulation’).

The ECB’s competence to deliver an opinion is based on Articles 127(4) and 282(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as the proposed regulation contains provisions affecting the European System of Central Bank’s (ESCB’s) tasks to implement monetary policy and contribute to the smooth conduct of policies pursued by the competent authorities relating to the stability of the financial system, as referred to in Articles 127(2), first indent, and 127(5) of the Treaty. In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.

1.   General observations

The main objective of the proposed regulation, which would repeal Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), is to simplify the existing rules for the drawing up, approval and distribution of prospectuses and thus reduce the costs and burdens associated with their production. More specifically, the proposed regulation will lay down disclosure requirements that are tailored to an issuer’s specific needs and will facilitate companies’, in particular small and medium-sized companies, ability to raise capital throughout the Union. In addition, the proposed regulation aims to reduce divergent and fragmented rules across the Union resulting from the heterogeneous implementation of Directive 2003/71/EC in some Member States. The ECB generally welcomes and supports the aims pursued by the proposed regulation and views it as a positive step towards the completion of the Capital Markets Union (CMU).

2.   Specific observations

2.1   Exemptions for offers of non-equity securities issued by the ECB and the ESCB national central banks (NCBs) and for shares in the capital of ESCB NCBs

The ECB welcomes the fact that non-equity securities issued by the ECB and ESCB NCBs are excluded from the scope of the proposed regulation (3). This exclusion is vital to ensure that Eurosystem monetary policy operations are not hampered, including, for example, any possible issuance of debt instruments by the ECB and the ESCB NCBs. The ECB also welcomes the exemption for the shares in the capital of the ESCB NCBs (4), which is of direct relevance to those NCBs with shares that are held by private investors and/or are listed on a regulated market or other trading venue.

2.2   Mandatory requirements regarding the use of the International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) and the global legal entity identifier (LEI)

The proposed regulation aims to ensure investor protection and market efficiency while enhancing the single market for capital (5). To that end, information made available to investors should be ‘sufficient and objective’ and presented in ‘an easily analysable, succinct and comprehensible form’ (6). This information should include unique identifiers for both the security and the issuer. As stated on previous occasions (7), the ECB strongly supports the use of internationally agreed standards, such as the ISIN and the global LEI. The unique identification of issuers, offerors and guarantors and of securities offered to the public or admitted to trading on regulated financial markets can only be successful if international standards such as the ISIN and the global LEI are used.

First, the ISIN, which uniquely identifies a securities issue, is a well-established identifier that is widely used in financial markets. The necessity of a unique identifier for securities is acknowledged in the proposed regulation, in Commission Regulation (EC) No 809/2004 (8) and in Regulation (EU) 2015/2365 (9). The proposed regulation provides for the prospectus summary to include a section with key information on securities that should feature ‘any security identification number’ (10). In a similar fashion, Regulation (EC) No 809/2004 establishes that prospectuses for debt securities, shares and derivatives must contain ‘a description of the type and the class of the securities being offered and/or admitted to trading, including the ISIN ... or other such security identification code’ (11). However, the nature of such alternative security identification codes is not further specified, leaving it open to interpretation whether codes with a limited application could constitute alternatives. This lack of specificity limits the usefulness of this information for the investor and raises barriers to the CMU. Finally, Regulation (EU) 2015/2365 provides that when securities financing transactions are reported, they must include, inter alia, the ISIN of those securities (12). A large majority of the euro-area-issued debt securities have an ISIN code, while debt securities without an ISIN are generally concentrated in specific markets and sectors and used for specific purposes. Available information indicates that in certain circumstances, the issuance of securities without an ISIN seems to be intended to reduce the traceability of such operations, while still allowing them to benefit from the legal regime for debt securities. Furthermore, there are concerns that securities without an ISIN could be issued in order to avoid disclosing information to supervisors and policymakers. For these reasons, the ECB recommends that any information gaps that exist should be eliminated to ensure a level playing field across markets and jurisdictions by making it mandatory to include the ISIN in prospectuses for securities that are subject to the proposed regulation.

Second, the ECB supports the use of the global LEI system, as endorsed by the European Banking Authority (EBA) and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) (13), in a manner which is in line with the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB’s) recommendations (14). The global LEI allows the issuers, offerors and guarantors of the security to be uniquely identified, thus providing key information to the investor. Furthermore, the use of the global LEI is growing rapidly with regard to the identification of legal persons and structures and therefore the ECB sees merit in expanding its use by making it compulsory to include the global LEI in prospectuses or registration documents for securities covered by the proposed regulation.

The ECB is of the opinion that the obligation to report the ISIN and LEI should be established both in the proposed regulation and in any related Commission delegated acts implementing the proposed regulation, which the Commission is required to adopt to specify the format of prospectuses (15). The ECB provides drafting proposals on this issue (16).

2.3   Publication of prospectuses in an online storage mechanism

The proposed regulation makes ESMA responsible for publishing all prospectuses that it receives from the competent authorities on its website. Publication is to be ensured by ESMA through a centralised storage mechanism (17). The ECB understands that this storage mechanism will have a search function. The ECB considers that the storage mechanism should also present the information contained in the prospectuses in a machine-readable manner, using metadata, at least for certain key attributes, such as the identification of the securities, issuers, offerors and guarantors, as this information is vital in ensuring that (institutional) investors have access to reliable data that can be used and analysed in a timely and efficient manner. The ECB provides drafting proposals on this issue (18).

2.4   Removal of incentives for issuing debt securities in large denominations

In order to receive favourable treatment under Directive 2003/71/EC, some issuers currently impose minimum and/or multiple amount settlement rules for certain securities they issue at the central securities depository (CSD) level. However, settlements that are not compliant with these rules may still take place at the CSD level, e.g. central counterparty (CCP) netting of trading activities in standard amounts or other non-trading related activities, such as the processing of corporate actions. As a consequence, instructions for such settlements, even if they do not contradict the requirements of Directive 2003/71/EC, cannot be carried out through the standard processing provided by the technical platforms of national financial market infrastructures. This is normally mitigated by the usage of inefficient and risky manual workaround solutions (non-straight-through processing (non-STP) technical procedures) or more complex technical functionalities.

In the light of the above, the ECB welcomes the removal of the incentives to issue debt securities in large denominations, i.e. above EUR 100 000 (19). Furthermore, the ECB is of the view that imposing minimum denominations and minimum amounts at the settlement level runs counter to the spirit of Directive 2003/71/EC. Even though this Directive only imposes such restrictions at the initial offering or trading level, some Union issuers impose these at the CSD level, which creates additional burdens for the efficiency of financial market infrastructures and for their users, i.e. CSDs, CCPs and their participants, which may need to resort to non-STP technical procedures or develop additional complex functionalities to address non-standard settlements. Moreover, in the context of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (20) and the launch of the Eurosystem’s TARGET2-Securities settlement platform, the current inefficiencies, originating from the minimum settlement amount rules will be amplified due to the expected proliferation of cross-border securities settlement activity.

2.5   Technical observations and drafting proposals

Where the ECB recommends that the proposed regulation is amended, specific drafting proposals are set out in a separate technical working document accompanied by an explanatory text. The technical working document is annexed to this Opinion and is available in English on the ECB’s website.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 17 March 2016.

The President of the ECB

Mario DRAGHI

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(1)  COM(2015) 583 final.

1

(2)  Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading and amending Directive 2001/34/EC (OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 64).

2

(3)  See Article 1(2)(b) of the proposed regulation.

3

(4)  See Article 1(2)(c) of the proposed regulation.

4

(5)  See recital 7 of the proposed regulation.

5

(6)  See recital 21 of the proposed regulation.

6

(7)  See the sixth subparagraph of paragraph 2.4 of Opinion CON/2014/49 on a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on reporting and transparency of securities financing transactions. All ECB opinions are published on the ECB’s website at www.ecb.europa.eu

7

(8)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 809/2004 of 29 April 2004 implementing Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards information contained in prospectuses as well as the format, incorporation by reference and publication of such prospectuses and dissemination of advertisements (OJ L 149, 30.4.2004, p. 1).

8

(9)  Regulation (EU) 2015/2365 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on transparency of securities financing transactions and of reuse and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 1).

9

(10)  See the first indent of Article 7(7)(a) of the proposed regulation.

10

(11)  See Item 4.1 of Annex III, item 4.1 of Annex V, item 4.1.1 of Annex XII, item 4.2 of Annex XIII of Regulation (EC) No 809/2004.

11

(12)  See Article 4(10)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2365.

12

(13)  See the EBA recommendation ‘On the use of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)’ (EBA/REC/2014/01), available on the EBA’s website at www.eba.europa.eu and ESMA’s ‘Questions and Answers’ document, ‘Implementation of the Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 on OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories (EMIR)’ (ESMA/2016/242), 4 February 2016, p. 73, available on ESMA’s website at www.esma.europa.eu

13

(14)  See the FSB report ‘A Global Legal Entity Identifier for Financial Markets’, 8 June 2012, available on the FSB’s website at www.financialstabilityboard.org

14

(15)  See Articles 13 and 42 of the proposed regulation.

15

(16)  See proposed Amendments 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the Annex to this Opinion.

16

(17)  See Article 20(6) of the proposed regulation.

17

(18)  See proposed Amendment 6 in the Annex to this Opinion.

18

(19)  See proposed Amendment 1 in the Annex to this Opinion.

19

(20)  Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on improving securities settlement in the European Union and on central securities depositories and amending Directives 98/26/EC and 2014/65/EU and Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 1).

20

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/4

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Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations (1):

0,00 % on 1 June 2016

Euro exchange rates (2)

1 June 2016

(2016/C 195/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1174 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 122,07 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4385 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,77358 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,2796 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1055 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,3083 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,027 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 314,11 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,3978 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,5178 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,2938 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5370 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4586 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,6818 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6373 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5375 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 331,53 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 17,5384 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,3498 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5118 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 273,74 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6409 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 52,110 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 74,7806 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,846 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,0211 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,6531 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 75,3780 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1174

JPY

Japanese yen

122,07

DKK

Danish krone

7,4385

GBP

Pound sterling

0,77358

SEK

Swedish krona

9,2796

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1055

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,3083

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,027

HUF

Hungarian forint

314,11

PLN

Polish zloty

4,3978

RON

Romanian leu

4,5178

TRY

Turkish lira

3,2938

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5370

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4586

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,6818

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6373

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5375

KRW

South Korean won

1 331,53

ZAR

South African rand

17,5384

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,3498

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5118

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 273,74

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6409

PHP

Philippine peso

52,110

RUB

Russian rouble

74,7806

THB

Thai baht

39,846

BRL

Brazilian real

4,0211

MXN

Mexican peso

20,6531

INR

Indian rupee

75,3780

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(1)  Rate applied to the most recent operation carried out before the indicated day. In the case of a variable rate tender, the interest rate is the marginal rate.

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

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/5

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Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Repeal of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

(2016/C 195/03)

| Member State | Norway |
| --- | --- |
| Route concerned | Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta
  Hasvik — Tromsø v.v., Hasvik — Hammerfest v.v., Sørkjosen — Tromsø v.v. |
| Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations | 15 April 2013
  (announced on 11 October 2012 in OJ C 307 and the EEA Supplement No 57/2012) |
| Date of repeal | 1 April 2017 |
| Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| PO Box 8010 Dep |
| N-0030 OSLO |
| NORWAY |
| Tel. +47 22248353 |
| Email: postmottak@sd.dep.no |

Member State

Norway

Route concerned

Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta

Hasvik — Tromsø v.v., Hasvik — Hammerfest v.v., Sørkjosen — Tromsø v.v.

Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations

15 April 2013

(announced on 11 October 2012 in OJ C 307 and the EEA Supplement No 57/2012)

Date of repeal

1 April 2017

Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained

Ministry of Transport and Communications

PO Box 8010 Dep

N-0030 OSLO

NORWAY

Tel. +47 22248353

Email: postmottak@sd.dep.no

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| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/6

---

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Repeal of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

(2016/C 195/04)

| Member State | Norway |
| --- | --- |
| Route concerned | Lakselv – Tromsø v.v.
  Andenes – Bodø v.v., Andenes – Tromsø v.v.
  Harstad/Narvik – Tromsø v.v.
  Leknes – Bodø v.v., Svolvær – Bodø v.v.
  Røst – Bodø v.v.
  Narvik (Framnes) – Bodø v.v.
  Brønnøysund – Bodø v.v., Brønnøysund – Trondheim v.v.
  Sandnessjøen – Bodø v.v., Sandnessjøen – Trondheim v.v.
  Mo i Rana – Bodø v.v., Mo i Rana – Trondheim v.v.
  Mosjøen – Bodø v.v., Mosjøen – Trondheim v.v.
  Namsos – Trondheim v.v., Rørvik – Trondheim v.v. |
| Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations | 1 April 2012
  (announced on 25 August 2011 in OJ C 247 and the EEA Supplement No 47/2011) |
| Date of repeal | 1 April 2017 |
| Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| PO Box 8010 Dep |
| N-0030 OSLO |
| NORWAY |
| Tel. +47 22248353 |
| Email: postmottak@sd.dep.no |

Member State

Norway

Route concerned

Lakselv – Tromsø v.v.

Andenes – Bodø v.v., Andenes – Tromsø v.v.

Harstad/Narvik – Tromsø v.v.

Leknes – Bodø v.v., Svolvær – Bodø v.v.

Røst – Bodø v.v.

Narvik (Framnes) – Bodø v.v.

Brønnøysund – Bodø v.v., Brønnøysund – Trondheim v.v.

Sandnessjøen – Bodø v.v., Sandnessjøen – Trondheim v.v.

Mo i Rana – Bodø v.v., Mo i Rana – Trondheim v.v.

Mosjøen – Bodø v.v., Mosjøen – Trondheim v.v.

Namsos – Trondheim v.v., Rørvik – Trondheim v.v.

Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations

1 April 2012

(announced on 25 August 2011 in OJ C 247 and the EEA Supplement No 47/2011)

Date of repeal

1 April 2017

Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained

Ministry of Transport and Communications

PO Box 8010 Dep

N-0030 OSLO

NORWAY

Tel. +47 22248353

Email: postmottak@sd.dep.no

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| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/7

---

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Establishment of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

(2016/C 195/05)

| Member State | Norway |
| --- | --- |
| Concerned routes | Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta
  Hasvik – Tromsø v.v., Hasvik – Hammerfest v.v., Sørkjosen – Tromsø v.v.
  Lakselv – Tromsø v.v.
  Andenes – Bodø v.v., Andenes – Tromsø v.v.
  Harstad/Narvik – Tromsø v.v.
  Leknes – Bodø v.v., Svolvær – Bodø v.v.
  Røst – Bodø v.v.
  Brønnøysund – Bodø v.v., Brønnøysund – Trondheim v.v.
  Sandnessjøen – Bodø v.v., Sandnessjøen – Trondheim v.v.
  Mo i Rana – Bodø v.v., Mo i Rana – Trondheim v.v.
  Mosjøen – Bodø v.v., Mosjøen – Trondheim v.v.
  Namsos – Trondheim v.v., Rørvik – Trondheim v.v. |
| Date of entry into force of the public service obligations | 1 April 2017 |
| Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the modified public service obligations can be obtained | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| PO Box 8010 Dep |
| N-0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |
| Tel. +47 22248353 |
| postmottak@sd.dep.no |
| https://www.regjeringen.no/en/find-document/id2000006/?documenttype=dokumenter/anbud |

Member State

Norway

Concerned routes

Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta

Hasvik – Tromsø v.v., Hasvik – Hammerfest v.v., Sørkjosen – Tromsø v.v.

Lakselv – Tromsø v.v.

Andenes – Bodø v.v., Andenes – Tromsø v.v.

Harstad/Narvik – Tromsø v.v.

Leknes – Bodø v.v., Svolvær – Bodø v.v.

Røst – Bodø v.v.

Brønnøysund – Bodø v.v., Brønnøysund – Trondheim v.v.

Sandnessjøen – Bodø v.v., Sandnessjøen – Trondheim v.v.

Mo i Rana – Bodø v.v., Mo i Rana – Trondheim v.v.

Mosjøen – Bodø v.v., Mosjøen – Trondheim v.v.

Namsos – Trondheim v.v., Rørvik – Trondheim v.v.

Date of entry into force of the public service obligations

1 April 2017

Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the modified public service obligations can be obtained

Ministry of Transport and Communications

PO Box 8010 Dep

N-0030 Oslo

NORWAY

Tel. +47 22248353

postmottak@sd.dep.no

https://www.regjeringen.no/en/find-document/id2000006/?documenttype=dokumenter/anbud

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| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/8

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Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority based on Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(2016/C 195/06)

| Member State | Norway |
| --- | --- |
| Concerned routes | Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta
  Hasvik – Tromsø v.v., Hasvik – Hammerfest v.v., Sørkjosen – Tromsø v.v.
  Lakselv – Tromsø v.v.
  Andenes – Bodø v.v., Andenes – Tromsø v.v.
  Harstad/Narvik – Tromsø v.v.
  Leknes – Bodø v.v., Svolvær – Bodø v.v.
  Røst – Bodø v.v.
  Brønnøysund – Bodø v.v., Brønnøysund – Trondheim v.v.
  Sandnessjøen – Bodø v.v., Sandnessjøen – Trondheim v.v.
  Mo i Rana – Bodø v.v., Mo i Rana – Trondheim v.v.
  Mosjøen – Bodø v.v., Mosjøen – Trondheim v.v.
  Namsos – Trondheim v.v., Rørvik – Trondheim v.v. |
| Period of validity of the contract | 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2022 |
| Deadline for submission of tenders | 8 August 2016 |
| Address where the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the public tender and the modified public service obligations can be obtained | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| PO Box 8010 Dep |
| N-0030 OSLO |
| NORWAY |
| Tel. +47 22248353 |
| postmottak@sd.dep.no |
| https://www.regjeringen.no/en/find-document/id2000006/?documenttype=dokumenter/anbud |

Member State

Norway

Concerned routes

Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta

Hasvik – Tromsø v.v., Hasvik – Hammerfest v.v., Sørkjosen – Tromsø v.v.

Lakselv – Tromsø v.v.

Andenes – Bodø v.v., Andenes – Tromsø v.v.

Harstad/Narvik – Tromsø v.v.

Leknes – Bodø v.v., Svolvær – Bodø v.v.

Røst – Bodø v.v.

Brønnøysund – Bodø v.v., Brønnøysund – Trondheim v.v.

Sandnessjøen – Bodø v.v., Sandnessjøen – Trondheim v.v.

Mo i Rana – Bodø v.v., Mo i Rana – Trondheim v.v.

Mosjøen – Bodø v.v., Mosjøen – Trondheim v.v.

Namsos – Trondheim v.v., Rørvik – Trondheim v.v.

Period of validity of the contract

1 April 2017 – 31 March 2022

Deadline for submission of tenders

8 August 2016

Address where the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the public tender and the modified public service obligations can be obtained

Ministry of Transport and Communications

PO Box 8010 Dep

N-0030 OSLO

NORWAY

Tel. +47 22248353

postmottak@sd.dep.no

https://www.regjeringen.no/en/find-document/id2000006/?documenttype=dokumenter/anbud

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/9

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7965 — World Fuel Services Corporation/Certain aviation fuels assets belonging to Exxon)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 195/07)

| 1. | On 24 May 2016, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking World Fuel Services Corporation (‘WFS’) of the United States of America, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of parts of ExxonMobil Corporation (‘Exxon’) of the United States of America by way of purchase of assets (‘The Business’). |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 24 May 2016, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking World Fuel Services Corporation (‘WFS’) of the United States of America, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of parts of ExxonMobil Corporation (‘Exxon’) of the United States of America by way of purchase of assets (‘The Business’).

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | WFS provides aviation, marine and ground transportation fuel products and related services. |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

WFS provides aviation, marine and ground transportation fuel products and related services.

| — | Exxon’s principal business is energy, involving exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas, manufacture of petroleum products and transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products. Exxon is also a manufacturer and marketer of commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and a wide variety of specialty products. |
| --- | --- |

—

Exxon’s principal business is energy, involving exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas, manufacture of petroleum products and transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products. Exxon is also a manufacturer and marketer of commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and a wide variety of specialty products.

| — | The Business comprises Exxon’s activities in relation to into-plane supply of aviation fuel at various airports in the EEA. |
| --- | --- |

—

The Business comprises Exxon’s activities in relation to into-plane supply of aviation fuel at various airports in the EEA.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | 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 e-ail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7965 — World Fuel Services Corporation/Certain aviation fuels assets belonging to Exxon to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

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 e-ail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7965 — World Fuel Services Corporation/Certain aviation fuels assets belonging to Exxon to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/10

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Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2016/C 195/08)

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘POULET DU PERIGORD’

EU No: FR-PGI-0005-01374 — 24.9.2015

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name(s)

‘Poulet du Périgord’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

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

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

‘Poulet du Périgord’ is a chicken from a slow-growing strain of the naked neck (yellow chicken) and/or non-naked neck (white chicken) varieties.

Reared for a minimum of 81 days, ‘Poulet du Périgord’ is a meaty chicken with well-developed and firm muscle mass evenly distributed over a delicate bone structure. The fine skin is uniform in colour, yellow or white, and the subcutaneous fat is adequate without being excessive. The fat cover is characterised by regular distribution under the skin, without localised deposits in the abdominal cavity or wing-sockets.

It can be put on the market as carcasses or jointed, fresh or frozen. It can be shrink-wrapped, vacuum-packed or packaged in a protective environment.

‘Poulet du Périgord’ carcasses are presented in the following forms:

| — | dressed carcass (bird plucked and gutted, with head, feet and offal), |
| --- | --- |

—

dressed carcass (bird plucked and gutted, with head, feet and offal),

| — | ‘ready to cook’ carcass (bird plucked and gutted, headless, with or without tarsus), |
| --- | --- |

—

‘ready to cook’ carcass (bird plucked and gutted, headless, with or without tarsus),

| — | ‘métifait’ or ‘semi-prepared’ (bird plucked, gutted, with or without tarsus and with the head tucked under the wing). |
| --- | --- |

—

‘métifait’ or ‘semi-prepared’ (bird plucked, gutted, with or without tarsus and with the head tucked under the wing).

Carcasses have a minimum weight of 1 kg when ‘ready to cook’ and 1,3 kg when dressed.

Whole carcasses are presented with the greatest care and without any blemishes.

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

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

Throughout the rearing period, the feed provided consists solely of vegetable matter, minerals and vitamins.

The vegetable matter must include the following in the mix:

| — | maize, in variable quantities depending on the birds’ age; |
| --- | --- |

—

maize, in variable quantities depending on the birds’ age;

| — | at least one other cereal, such as wheat, barley, triticale, sorghum or oats; |
| --- | --- |

—

at least one other cereal, such as wheat, barley, triticale, sorghum or oats;

| — | protein crops to balance the feed ration. |
| --- | --- |

—

protein crops to balance the feed ration.

The rearing period can be divided into three separate phases corresponding to different physiological needs that require different proportions of cereals.

—   Initial phase, from day 1 to day 28:

Initial phase, from day 1 to day 28:

The initial feed comprises a minimum 50 % by weight of cereal mix including cereals and cereal by-products. The cereals must include maize and at least one other straw cereal (wheat, barley, triticale, oats) or sorghum.

In this cereal mix, the minimum proportion of maize by weight is set at 25 % for yellow chicken and 15 % for white chicken.

—   Growth phase, from day 29 to day 52:

Growth phase, from day 29 to day 52:

The growth-phase feed comprises a minimum 70 % by weight of cereal mix including cereals and cereal by-products. The cereals must include maize and at least one other straw cereal (wheat, barley, triticale, oats) or sorghum.

In this cereal mix, the minimum proportion of maize by weight is set at 30 % for yellow chicken and 15 % for white chicken.

—   Fattening phase, from day 53 to the age at which the chickens are ready for slaughter, so at least 81 days:

Fattening phase, from day 53 to the age at which the chickens are ready for slaughter, so at least 81 days:

The fattening feed comprises a minimum 80 % by weight of cereal mix including cereals and cereal by-products. The cereals must include maize and at least one other straw cereal (wheat, barley, triticale, oats) or sorghum.

In this cereal mix, the minimum proportion of maize by weight is set at 30 % for yellow chicken and 15 % for white chicken.

Supplementing with clay (bentonite) is routine in each type of feeding. The minimum amount for inclusion in the feed is set at 2 kg per tonne.

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

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

Both the rearing and slaughter of ‘Poulet du Périgord’ take place in the geographical area.

This is because the Périgord slaughterhouses have developed and preserved specific know-how for selecting carcasses. This contributes to the product’s reputation and the end quality of the dressed product.

The processes of scalding and plucking, gutting, trussing and chilling must be conducted with the greatest care as only unblemished carcasses are sold whole. For this purpose, two selection processes take place before trussing and after chilling.

In the case of ‘métifet’ or ‘semi-prepared’ chickens, the gutting and final preparation are done manually.

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

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

Jointing and packaging take place at the slaughterhouse. This allows for continuity of processes and avoids any changes to the quality of the meat on contact with the air. Fresh and frozen meat must both be presented unblemished. Handling must therefore be limited, especially as ‘Poulet du Périgord’ has a delicate skin. Freezing must occur within a maximum of 24 hours after slaughter. These various factors require swift packaging. This takes place in the geographical area in order to ensure that the presentation criteria are respected.

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

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

Labelling bears the PGI denomination ‘Poulet du Périgord’.

Labels and sales documents must bear the shared logo:

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area extends over the following departments:

| — | Charente, limited to the cantons of: Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, Chalais, Montbron, Montemboeuf, Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard and Villebois-Lavalette; |
| --- | --- |

—

Charente, limited to the cantons of: Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, Chalais, Montbron, Montemboeuf, Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard and Villebois-Lavalette;

| — | Charente-Maritime, limited to the canton of Montguyon; |
| --- | --- |

—

Charente-Maritime, limited to the canton of Montguyon;

| — | Charente, limited to the cantons of: Argentat, Ayen, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Beynat, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Centre, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Nord-Est, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Nord-Est, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Sud-Est, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Sud-Ouest, Corrèze, Donzenac, Égletons, Juillac, Larche, Lubersac, Malemort-sur-Corrèze, Meyssac, Seilhac, Treignac, Tulle-Campagne-Nord, Tulle-Campagne-Sud, Tulle-Urbain-Nord, Tulle-Urbain-Sud, Uzerche and Vigeois; |
| --- | --- |

—

Charente, limited to the cantons of: Argentat, Ayen, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Beynat, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Centre, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Nord-Est, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Nord-Est, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Sud-Est, Brive-la-Gaillarde-Sud-Ouest, Corrèze, Donzenac, Égletons, Juillac, Larche, Lubersac, Malemort-sur-Corrèze, Meyssac, Seilhac, Treignac, Tulle-Campagne-Nord, Tulle-Campagne-Sud, Tulle-Urbain-Nord, Tulle-Urbain-Sud, Uzerche and Vigeois;

| — | Dordogne; |
| --- | --- |

—

Dordogne;

| — | Gironde, limited to the cantons of: Castillon-la-Bataille, Coutras, Lussac, Pujols and Sainte-Foy-la-Grande; |
| --- | --- |

—

Gironde, limited to the cantons of: Castillon-la-Bataille, Coutras, Lussac, Pujols and Sainte-Foy-la-Grande;

| — | Haute-Vienne, limited to the cantons of: Aixe-sur-Vienne, Ambazac, Châlus, Châteauneuf-la-Forêt, Eymoutiers, Laurière, Limoges-Beaupuy, Limoges-Isle, Limoges-Landouge, Limoges-Couzeix, Limoges-Cité, Limoges-Le Palais, Limoges-Condat, Limoges-Panazol, Limoges-Corgnac, Limoges-Puy-las-Rodas, Limoges-Grand-Treuil, Limoges-Vigenal, Limoges-Émailleurs, Limoges-Carnot, Limoges-Centre, Limoges-La Bastide, Nexon, Nieul, Oradour-sur-Vayres, Pierre-Buffière, Rochechouart, Saint-Germain-les-Belles, Saint-Junien-Est, Saint-Junien-Ouest, Saint-Laurent-sur-Gorre, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Saint-Mathieu and Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche; |
| --- | --- |

—

Haute-Vienne, limited to the cantons of: Aixe-sur-Vienne, Ambazac, Châlus, Châteauneuf-la-Forêt, Eymoutiers, Laurière, Limoges-Beaupuy, Limoges-Isle, Limoges-Landouge, Limoges-Couzeix, Limoges-Cité, Limoges-Le Palais, Limoges-Condat, Limoges-Panazol, Limoges-Corgnac, Limoges-Puy-las-Rodas, Limoges-Grand-Treuil, Limoges-Vigenal, Limoges-Émailleurs, Limoges-Carnot, Limoges-Centre, Limoges-La Bastide, Nexon, Nieul, Oradour-sur-Vayres, Pierre-Buffière, Rochechouart, Saint-Germain-les-Belles, Saint-Junien-Est, Saint-Junien-Ouest, Saint-Laurent-sur-Gorre, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Saint-Mathieu and Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche;

| — | Lot, limited to the cantons of: Bretenoux, Cahors-Nord-Est, Cahors-Nord-Ouest, Cahors-Sud, Cajarc, Castelnau-Montratier, Catus, Cazals, Gourdon, Gramat, Labastide-Murat, Lacapelle-Marival, Lalbenque, Lauzès, Limogne-en-Quercy, Livernon, Luzech, Martel, Montcuq, Payrac, Puy-l’Évêque, Saint-Céré, Saint-Germain-du-Bel-Air, Saint-Géry, Salviac, Souillac and Vayrac; |
| --- | --- |

—

Lot, limited to the cantons of: Bretenoux, Cahors-Nord-Est, Cahors-Nord-Ouest, Cahors-Sud, Cajarc, Castelnau-Montratier, Catus, Cazals, Gourdon, Gramat, Labastide-Murat, Lacapelle-Marival, Lalbenque, Lauzès, Limogne-en-Quercy, Livernon, Luzech, Martel, Montcuq, Payrac, Puy-l’Évêque, Saint-Céré, Saint-Germain-du-Bel-Air, Saint-Géry, Salviac, Souillac and Vayrac;

| — | Lot-et-Garonne, limited to the cantons of: Cancon, Castelmoron-sur-Lot, Castillonnès, Duras, Fumel, Lauzun, Marmande-Est, Marmande-Ouest, Monclar, Monflanquin, Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot, Seyches, Tonneins, Tournon-d’Agenais, Villeneuve-sur-Lot-Sud, Villeréal and Le Mas-d’Agenais. |
| --- | --- |

—

Lot-et-Garonne, limited to the cantons of: Cancon, Castelmoron-sur-Lot, Castillonnès, Duras, Fumel, Lauzun, Marmande-Est, Marmande-Ouest, Monclar, Monflanquin, Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot, Seyches, Tonneins, Tournon-d’Agenais, Villeneuve-sur-Lot-Sud, Villeréal and Le Mas-d’Agenais.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

The geographical area is located in the south-west corner of France, mainly in the department of the Dordogne.

This area of Perigord is a large expanse of foothills, generally sloping in a north-east and south-west direction. The numerous water courses created a network of small valleys as, flowing through the area, they encountered obstacles in the form of rocks. These valleys vary in orientation and profile but they constitute one of the major structural elements of the Perigord landscape. Only the valleys, which are alluvium-rich, provide the right conditions for growing cereals. The hillsides, which are often steep and wooded, tend to be used for livestock.

The geological complexity led to the presence of numerous mineral deposits, such as iron, gold, limestone and kaolin. Some of these are mined to produce fuller’s earth, of the bentonite and montmorillonite types, which have specific properties.

The climate of the geographical area is uniformly temperate, of the ‘modified oceanic’ variety. This means that it is subject to the weather system of the North Atlantic ocean but with clear influences of both the continental and Mediterranean varieties.

Maize is farmed widely throughout the geographical area. Straw cereals are widely grown, soft wheat and triticale especially.

In terms of human factors, poultry farming took off in the fourteenth century in Perigord and has retained its popularity.

It was only during the nineteenth century that Perigord forged a reputation as a poultry-producing area. Nevertheless, poultry production retains its traditional, family-run character.

The first ‘Syndicat de défense du Poulet Fermier du Périgord’ was set up in 1953. The technical regulations of that time described the method of rearing poultry as being ‘in accordance with the farming practices used in Perigord’.

‘Poulet du Périgord’ is, to this day, reared using the more extensive farming practices that pre-date modern intensive farming. Birds are reared in the open air from strains known as ‘slow-growing robust’.

Whatever the age of the birds, their feed includes at least two cereals of which one must be maize, and at least one cereal from a selection consisting principally of wheat, barley, triticale, sorghum and oats. Every day, Perigord farmers scatter a few handfuls of cereals in the form of whole grain on the straw litter in the hen-houses.

This feed is supplemented with bentonite, a clay well-known in Perigord for its digestive benefits for poultry. It is present in local mineral deposits.

Specificity of the product

Specificity of the product

The ‘Poulet du Périgord’ is a chicken with skin that is uniform in colour. Through the skin, firm and well-developed muscle mass can be seen that is evenly distributed over the entire bone structure. The fat cover is adequate but not excessive. It is characterised by regular distribution under the skin and around the muscles (interstitial fat) without localised deposits in the abdominal cavity or wing-sockets.

The whole carcasses are dressed with great care and are free of blemishes.

These particular characteristics have earned the ‘Poulet du Périgord’ its excellent reputation.

Causal link

Causal link

The link to the origin of ‘Poulet du Périgord’ is based on quality and reputation.

With its mild oceanic climate and low to medium altitude, the geographical area provides ideal conditions for poultry farming.

The alluvium-rich valleys are used to grow cereals. The hillsides, which are often steep and wooded, are used to farm poultry.

The practice of using these cereals in the feed originated from their long-standing, regular and proven use in the crop rotation systems of Perigord farms. Cereals provide a specific nutritional profile that is especially well-balanced for poultry rearing.

Among the cereals used, maize, which is the most widely grown, is of primary importance. The absence of husks makes maize easier to digest and therefore easier to absorb; its high levels of fat and starch make it a cereal with a particularly high energy content, which is ideal for producing birds that are meaty or even plump.

The feed is routinely supplemented with clay (bentonite). This ensures very healthy hens and better environmental conditions in the hen-houses, thus encouraging more balanced and consistent growth in the birds. This choice on the part of Perigord farmers is especially important. It explains the muscle development and fat cover of the ‘Poulet du Périgord’, bred from a slow-growing strain.

Supplementing all feed with bentonite results in better absorption of food throughout the bird’s life. This increased absorption promotes better development of all tissues, especially muscles, and better fat distribution. For this reason, the carcasses have fewer pockets of fat in the abdominal cavity and less subcutaneous fat. The skin appears to be thinner and more uniform in colour over the whole carcass, revealing the muscles.

This practice is associated with the tradition of scattering a few handfuls of wholegrain cereals on the straw litter in the hen-houses every day. In the past, this traditional practice enabled farm women to gather in the birds, strengthening the link between farmers and their birds. It also encouraged the chicks’ instinct to peck and thus explore their enclosures. Such behaviour leads to greater physical activity, resulting in significant muscle development with better distribution of fat around the muscles.

It also helps to stimulate gizzard function from a young age and so assist in improving absorption of the feed components that contribute to the development of muscle mass.

Furthermore, it encourages chicks to keep scratching at the straw litter. This helps air the straw and keep it dry for longer, taking into account the length of rearing for these birds.

Finally, being on very clean straw litter inside the hen-house is beneficial for the plumage. This in turn makes plucking easier, which results in the excellent quality of the presentation of whole carcasses.

Open-air rearing in enclosures that are often steep and wooded also affects the particular characteristics of ‘Poulet du Périgord’. It produces strong bones that allow for significant development of muscle mass, for thighs and fillets, while limiting subcutaneous fat.

All of these aspects were described in 1929 by La Mazille, a famous cook from the region, in her collection of local recipes: ‘One of the main reasons for the excellence of poultry in Perigord is the way in which they are fed and fattened with maize’.

The reputation of ‘Poulet du Périgord’ was also established in the nineteenth century with the competitions organised first in Dordogne (1862) and then in all the neighbouring departments: Limoges in 1862, Agen in 1863 and Niort in 1866. Farmers from Perigord were the main winners.

More recently, the list of winners of the Concours général agricole (Salon international de l’agriculture, Paris) over the last decade confirms the strong position of ‘Poulet du Périgord’ at national level. This applies both to whole chickens and to joints.

—   Whole chicken: GOLD (2005-2010), SILVER (2004-2005-2010), BRONZE (2006);

Whole chicken

—   Chicken fillet: GOLD (2010), BRONZE (2005-2006);

Chicken fillet

—   Chicken thighs: GOLD (2003-2007), SILVER (2009), BRONZE (2004-2010);

Chicken thighs

Reference to publication of the specification

Reference to publication of the specification

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

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-7f021529-d866-4d12-9860-ec61a860a6b0

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

1

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| 2.6.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 195/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.6.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 195/15

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Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2016/C 195/09)

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘ŠOLTANSKO MASLINOVO ULJE’

EU No: HR-PDO-0005-01346 — 19.6.2015

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name

‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Croatia

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Product type

Product type

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

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

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

The extra-virgin olive oil known as ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ (Šolta olive oil) is an oil obtained directly from the fruit of the olive tree solely by mechanical means.

When placed on the market, ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ must have the following physico-chemical properties:

| — | the proportion of free fatty acids must be ≤ 0,70 %, the peroxide value must be ≤ 7,0 mmol O2/kg. The specific extinction in UV light must be K270 ≤ 0,220, K232 ≤ 2,50 and ∆K ≤ 0,010 |
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the proportion of free fatty acids must be ≤ 0,70 %, the peroxide value must be ≤ 7,0 mmol O2/kg. The specific extinction in UV light must be K270 ≤ 0,220, K232 ≤ 2,50 and ∆K ≤ 0,010

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and organoleptic properties:

| — | yellowy-green in colour, with a scent of olive leaves and of green fruit (green fruitiness), usually with floral and fruity aromas. The most common fruity aroma is that of banana. It has a pleasantly bitter and sharp taste. |
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yellowy-green in colour, with a scent of olive leaves and of green fruit (green fruitiness), usually with floral and fruity aromas. The most common fruity aroma is that of banana. It has a pleasantly bitter and sharp taste.

The oil has no organoleptic defects, with medians of fruitiness, bitterness and sharpness of ≥ 1 each, where the sum of medians of positive organoleptic properties must be ≥ 5.

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

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

‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ is produced from the fruit of the autochthonous varieties of olive known as Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) and Oblica. The Levantinka variety must account for at least 50 %, while the proportion of the varieties Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) and Oblica combined must be at least 95 %. The remaining 5 % or less may come from other varieties grown in the olive groves of Šolta and, given the small percentage, will have no effect on the product’s definitive properties.

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

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

All stages of production of ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’, from the cultivation and harvesting of the olives to their processing into oil, must take place in the geographical area referred to in point 4.

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

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

To retain the product’s specific properties and the oil’s quality, ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ must be bottled within the geographical area referred to in point 4. As Šolta is an island, the olive oil is transported partly by sea. This means that the light, temperature and other natural factors may have a negative impact on the quality of the product, and the organoleptic properties of the olive oil may be altered. For that reason, ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ may not be packaged outside the defined geographical area. A system of inspection guarantees the origin and traceability of the product, which would be harder to achieve outside the production area. ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ must be bottled in dark glass with a volume of not more than 1 litre.

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

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

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4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ encompasses the island of Šolta and seven islets off the town of Maslinica: Polebrnjak, Saskinja, Balkun, Kamik, Šarac, Grmej and Stipanska, which form part of the municipality of Šolta. Šolta is an island in the central Dalmatian archipelago, located in Split-Dalmatia County. It is separated from the mainland and the island of Čiovo to the north by the Split Channel, from the island of Brač to the east by the Split Gates, and from the island of Drvenik Veli to the west by the Šolta Channel.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

Natural factors:

Natural factors:

The soils on the island of Šolta have the features of a karst Mediterranean climate. They are a reflection of a combination of limestone-Dolomite bedrock, hilly terrain and climate. This mix of soil-forming factors gave rise to a particular type of soil in this karst Mediterranean area, as well as terra rossa and regosol soils.

The island of Šolta lies in a narrow geographical area, at the heart of the so-called East Adriatic Eumediterranean zone. In terms of climate and vegetation, it is a region of the Adriatic coast with particular microecological conditions, characterised by the lowest rainfall and the highest average annual temperature. The main characteristics of the climate of the island of Šolta are mild winters and dry summers, with three times more rainfall during the rainiest month of the year than during the driest summer month. The amount of rainfall during the driest month is less than 40 mm. Summers are hot, dry and sunny. The island of Šolta has an average annual air temperature of 16 °C and average rainfall of 847 mm. It is part of a medium-warm, dry region. Most of the rain falls in late autumn and early winter, when there is strong cyclonic activity, and in spring, during March and April. The lowest rainfall is in July. The island of Šolta lies in the sunniest part of Croatia, with 2 713 sunshine hours per year, at an average of around 7,4 hours per day.

The winds that blow onto Šolta are the Bora, Sirocco and Mistral. The Bora is a dry, cool, gusty wind that is most common in winter and early spring. The Sirocco is a humid, warm and monotonous wind, and is followed by heavy rainfall. The Mistral is most common in the summer period, due to the different speeds at which the sea and land heat up.

Human factors:

Human factors:

As the olive groves of the island of Šolta are planted mainly in inaccessible karst terrain unsuited to other types of agricultural production, to this day producers work them, and harvest the olives, the traditional way: the land is dug by hand, using traditional hand tools (a hoe and a mattock (pick)), while weeds are removed by hand and cut using a traditional sickle or scythe. The olives are removed from the tree by shaking the branches and raking them by hand, so that the olives fall onto a net, a plastic film or a sheet spread out under the trees. To harvest the olives by hand, the use of plastic rakes or hand-held shakers is allowed. One of the specific methods used by local olive growers to increase the yield of olives on the island of Šolta is grafting. This is a vegetative reproduction method in which a branch of the Oblica variety is grafted with a branch of the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) variety.

Specificity of the product

Specificity of the product

The specificity and quality of ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ stem from the autochthonous varieties Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) and the variety Oblica used to produce it. Between them, these varieties account for more than 95 % of the assortment of olive groves on Šolta. Nowhere is the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) variety so well represented as on the island of Šolta.

Research into the volatile components of samples of olive oil from the island of Šolta has shown the presence of a large number of phenolic compounds, which account for the scent of olive leaves and of green fruit, or so-called green fruitiness. The most frequent compounds are (E)-2-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexenol, while hexyl acetate accounts for the fruity (banana) aroma.

Olive oil of the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) and Oblica varieties has been found to have a high polyphenol (natural antioxidant) content, which stops the oil from deteriorating and keeps it fresh and aromatic for a long time (M. Žanetić et al; Influences of polyphenolic compounds on the oxidative stability of virgin olive oils from selected autochthonous varieties, Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 2013).

Influences of polyphenolic compounds on the oxidative stability of virgin olive oils from selected autochthonous varieties

For the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) variety, the scent and taste properties have been found to be balanced, while the Oblica variety has been found to have a pronounced fruity scent with less bitterness and sharpness (M. Žanetić et al; Ispitivanje fenolnih spojeva i senzorski profil dalmatinskih djevičanskih maslinovih ulja (Research into phenolic compounds and the organoleptic profile of Dalmatian virgin olive oils), Pomologia Croatica vol. 17, No 1-2, 2011).

Ispitivanje fenolnih spojeva i senzorski profil dalmatinskih djevičanskih maslinovih ulja

The first written records of olive oil from the island of Šolta date far back in history. The author Mihovilović writes that ‘... the island of Šolta belonged to the city of Split and, during Venetian rule, from 1409 to 1797, agriculture on the island of Šolta was the supply source for the city of Split. The island of Šolta provided wine, olive oil, cereals, dried fruit and lentils’ (M. A. Mihovilović, Otok Šolta-monografija (The island of Šolta — A monograph), 1990).

Otok Šolta-monografija

The St Stephen’s parish review states that ‘Šolta is a hotbed of olives of the Levantinka, Greek, or, as they are known on the mainland, Šoltanka variety, and lists numerous olive growers that cultivate them particularly successfully.’ (St Stephen’s parish review, Nada, Grohote, 1979).

To this day, the name ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ is used in everyday speech (delivery notes and invoices, Eko Rast Šolta cooperative, Kapja i Bokun tasting room, 2011, 2013 and 2014).

Causal link

Causal link

The quality of ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ stems from the following factors establishing the causal link: climate, the availability of autochthonous varieties, the know-how and experience of producers in the production processes and the historical tradition of olive-growing.

The climate conditions in the defined agricultural area, which are marked by hot, dry, sunny summers and mild winters, are conducive to growing olives of the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) and Oblica varieties, so the ‘Csa’ climate subtype that prevails on the island of Šolta is also known as the olive-growing climate. The winds that sweep the island also have a strong influence on the olive groves of Šolta. Thanks to the cold, dry Bora wind, i.e. the dry, cold air masses brought by the Bora, pest infestations and plant diseases do not cause significant damage to Šolta’s olive groves. The humid, warm Sirocco wind, followed by heavy rainfall, is common during summer months and is particularly important and welcome because it provides the olives with the necessary amount of moisture. The Mistral wind, which blows in May and June, is important during the period of flowering and pollination, when the olives bloom and bear fruit.

The specificity and quality of ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ are based on the assortment of Šolta’s olive groves, as between them the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) and Oblica varieties account for more than 95 % of the assortment of olive groves on the island of Šolta, with Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) the most widespread variety, making up 50-60 % of the island’s olive groves. ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’ is characterised by a fruity aroma, with a mild scent of banana, and a slight bitterness and sharpness.

Producers have developed considerable know-how and experience to overcome the inaccessible karst terrain in which the olive groves of Šolta are planted. To this day, the olive groves are worked by hand or using small, traditional tools. Harvesting by hand means the olives can be selected in the olive groves, on the spot, and only the best, healthy olives are picked to produce ‘Šoltansko maslinovo ulje’, thus ensuring the oil’s consistent quality. At the same time, producers on the island of Šolta use a method of grafting the Oblica variety with the Levantinka (synonym: Šoltanka) variety, producing so-called mixed trees. This improves the fertility of trees of the Oblica variety and increases yield.

Reference to publication of the product specification

Reference to publication of the product specification

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

http://www.mps.hr/UserDocsImages/HRANA/SOLTANSKO%20MASLINOVO%20ULJE/Izmijenjena%20specifikacija%20proizvoda%20Šoltansko%20maslinovo%20ulje_16.3.2016_133943.pdf

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

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