# Official Journal C 298/2010

| | ISSN 1725-2423
  doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2010.298.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 298 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 534 November 2010 |

ISSN 1725-2423

doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2010.298.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 298

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 534 November 2010

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 298/01 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2010/C 298/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5975 — Lion Capital/Picard Groupe) (
  1
  ) | 4 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2010/C 298/01

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  )

1

1

2010/C 298/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5975 — Lion Capital/Picard Groupe) (
  1
  )

1

4

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 298/03 | Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 1,00 % on 1 November 2010 — Euro exchange rates | 5 |
| | Court of Auditors |
| 2010/C 298/04 | Special Report No 7/2010 Audit of the clearance of accounts procedure | 6 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2010/C 298/05 | No State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement | 7 |
| 2010/C 298/06 | No State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement | 8 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2010/C 298/03

Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 1,00 % on 1 November 2010 — Euro exchange rates

5

Court of Auditors

2010/C 298/04

Special Report No 7/2010 Audit of the clearance of accounts procedure

6

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2010/C 298/05

No State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

7

2010/C 298/06

No State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

8

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 298/07 | Call for proposals under the 2011 Ideas work programme of the Seventh EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities | 9 |
| | COURT PROCEEDINGS |
| | EFTA Court |
| 2010/C 298/08 | Action brought on 18 August 2010 by the EFTA Surveillance Authority against Iceland (Case E-12/10) | 10 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 298/09 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5913 — CEZ/EPH/Mibrag Group) (
  1
  ) | 11 |
| 2010/C 298/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5785 — Sun Capital/DSM Special Products) (
  1
  ) | 12 |
| 2010/C 298/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6025 — Ardagh/Impress) (
  1
  ) | 13 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 298/12 | 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 | 14 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2010/C 298/07

Call for proposals under the 2011 Ideas work programme of the Seventh EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities

9

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

2010/C 298/08

Action brought on 18 August 2010 by the EFTA Surveillance Authority against Iceland (Case E-12/10)

10

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2010/C 298/09

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5913 — CEZ/EPH/Mibrag Group) (
  1
  )

1

11

2010/C 298/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5785 — Sun Capital/DSM Special Products) (
  1
  )

1

12

2010/C 298/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6025 — Ardagh/Impress) (
  1
  )

1

13

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2010/C 298/12

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

14

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/1

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2010/C 298/01

| Date of adoption of the decision | 29.9.2010 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 702/09 |
| Member State | Czech Republic |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Podpora na rekonstrukci lanové dráhy na Sněžku |
| Legal basis | — |
| Type of measure | Individual aid |
| Objective | Regional development, Environmental protection |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | Overall budget: CZK 250 million |
| Intensity | Measure does not constitute aid |
| Duration (period) | 2010-2013 |
| Economic sectors | Transport |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Regionální rada regionu soudržnosti Severovýchod |
| Pražská 320/8 |
| 500 04 Hradec Králové |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |

Date of adoption of the decision

29.9.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 702/09

Member State

Czech Republic

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Podpora na rekonstrukci lanové dráhy na Sněžku

Legal basis

—

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Regional development, Environmental protection

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Overall budget: CZK 250 million

Intensity

Measure does not constitute aid

Duration (period)

2010-2013

Economic sectors

Transport

Name and address of the granting authority

Regionální rada regionu soudržnosti Severovýchod

Pražská 320/8

500 04 Hradec Králové

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

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 | 10.5.2010 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 35/10 |
| Member State | Germany |
| Region | Niedersachsen and Bremen |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Förderung von Film- und Fernsehproduktionen in den Bundesländern Niedersachsen und Bremen: Nordmedia Fonds GmbH — Verlängerung der Beihilferegelung N 411/04 und N 229/07 |
| Legal basis | § 44 niedersäsische LHO, Richtlinie zur Kulturwirtschaftlichen Film- und Medienförderung der Nordmedia Fonds GmbH |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Culture |
| Form of aid | Reimbursable grant |
| Budget | Annual budget: EUR 12,2 million
  Overall budget: EUR 36,6 million |
| Intensity | 50 % |
| Duration (period) | 31.12.2012 |
| Economic sectors | Recreational, cultural sporting activities |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Nordmedia Fonds GmbH |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

10.5.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 35/10

Member State

Germany

Region

Niedersachsen and Bremen

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Förderung von Film- und Fernsehproduktionen in den Bundesländern Niedersachsen und Bremen: Nordmedia Fonds GmbH — Verlängerung der Beihilferegelung N 411/04 und N 229/07

Legal basis

§ 44 niedersäsische LHO, Richtlinie zur Kulturwirtschaftlichen Film- und Medienförderung der Nordmedia Fonds GmbH

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Culture

Form of aid

Reimbursable grant

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 12,2 million

Overall budget: EUR 36,6 million

Intensity

50 %

Duration (period)

31.12.2012

Economic sectors

Recreational, cultural sporting activities

Name and address of the granting authority

Nordmedia Fonds GmbH

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 | 29.6.2010 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 245/10 |
| Member State | Slovenia |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Third extension of the Slovenian guarantee scheme for credit institutions (N 531/08) |
| Legal basis | Zakon o javnih financah (Uradni list RS, št. 79/1999, 124/2000, 79/2001, 30/2002, 56/2002 – ZJU, 110/2002 – ZDT-B, 127/2006 – ZJZP, 14/2007 – ZSPDPO) Uredba o merilih in pogojih za izdajanje poroštev po 86. a členu Zakona o javnih financah (Uradni list RS, št. 115/2008) |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy |
| Form of aid | Guarantee |
| Budget | Overall budget: EUR 8 000 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration (period) | 1.7.2010-31.12.2010 |
| Economic sectors | Financial intermediation |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Ministrstvo za finance |
| Župančičeva 3 |
| SI-1000 Ljubljana |
| SLOVENIJA |

Date of adoption of the decision

29.6.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 245/10

Member State

Slovenia

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Third extension of the Slovenian guarantee scheme for credit institutions (N 531/08)

Legal basis

Zakon o javnih financah (Uradni list RS, št. 79/1999, 124/2000, 79/2001, 30/2002, 56/2002 – ZJU, 110/2002 – ZDT-B, 127/2006 – ZJZP, 14/2007 – ZSPDPO) Uredba o merilih in pogojih za izdajanje poroštev po 86. a členu Zakona o javnih financah (Uradni list RS, št. 115/2008)

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy

Form of aid

Guarantee

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 8 000 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

1.7.2010-31.12.2010

Economic sectors

Financial intermediation

Name and address of the granting authority

Ministrstvo za finance

Župančičeva 3

SI-1000 Ljubljana

SLOVENIJA

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

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| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/4

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5975 — Lion Capital/Picard Groupe)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2010/C 298/02

On 30 September 2010, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32010M5975. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32010M5975. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/5

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

1,00 % on 1 November 2010

Euro exchange rates (2)

3 November 2010

2010/C 298/03

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,4014 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 113,67 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4553 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87030 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3240 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,3761 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,2080 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,497 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 272,00 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7097 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,9327 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,2978 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,9768 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4058 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4136 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,8624 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,8093 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,8049 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 555,48 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 9,6805 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 9,3559 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3432 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 12 497,56 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,3233 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 59,472 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 43,1885 |
| THB | Thai baht | 41,694 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,3706 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 17,2162 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 62,1240 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,4014

JPY

Japanese yen

113,67

DKK

Danish krone

7,4553

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87030

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3240

CHF

Swiss franc

1,3761

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,2080

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,497

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

272,00

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7097

PLN

Polish zloty

3,9327

RON

Romanian leu

4,2978

TRY

Turkish lira

1,9768

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4058

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4136

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,8624

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,8093

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,8049

KRW

South Korean won

1 555,48

ZAR

South African rand

9,6805

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

9,3559

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3432

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

12 497,56

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,3233

PHP

Philippine peso

59,472

RUB

Russian rouble

43,1885

THB

Thai baht

41,694

BRL

Brazilian real

2,3706

MXN

Mexican peso

17,2162

INR

Indian rupee

62,1240

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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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Court of Auditors

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/6

---

Special Report No 7/2010 ‘Audit of the clearance of accounts procedure’

2010/C 298/04

The European Court of Auditors hereby informs you that Special Report No 7/2010 ‘Audit of the clearance of accounts procedure’ has just been published.

The report can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the European Court of Auditors’ website: http://www.eca.europa.eu

A hard copy version of the report may be obtained free of charge on request to the Court of Auditors:

| European Court of Auditors |
| --- |
| Communication and Reports Unit |
| 12, rue Alcide De Gasperi |
| 1615 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |
| Tel. +352 4398-1 |
| E-mail: euraud@eca.europa.eu |

European Court of Auditors

Communication and Reports Unit

12, rue Alcide De Gasperi

1615 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

Tel. +352 4398-1

E-mail: euraud@eca.europa.eu

or by filling in an electronic order form on EU-Bookshop.

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/7

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No State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

2010/C 298/05

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 21 June 2010 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case number | : | 67159 |
| Decision number | : | 253/10/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Iceland |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | Rescue aid scheme involving settlement of claims owned by the Central Bank of Iceland on savings banks |
| Legal basis | : | Article 61(3)(b) EEA |
| Type of measure | : | Aid scheme |
| Objective | : | Remedy a serious disturbance in the economy |
| Form of aid | : | Settlement of claims |
| Budget | : | ISK 9,345 million |
| Duration | : | The scheme has been temporarily approved until 21 December 2010 |
| Economic sectors | : | Financial sector |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Ministry of Finance |
| Arnarhvoli |
| 150 Reykjavik |
| ICELAND |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

21 June 2010

Case number

:

67159

Decision number

:

253/10/COL

EFTA State

:

Iceland

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

Rescue aid scheme involving settlement of claims owned by the Central Bank of Iceland on savings banks

Legal basis

:

Article 61(3)(b) EEA

Type of measure

:

Aid scheme

Objective

:

Remedy a serious disturbance in the economy

Form of aid

:

Settlement of claims

Budget

:

ISK 9,345 million

Duration

:

The scheme has been temporarily approved until 21 December 2010

Economic sectors

:

Financial sector

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Ministry of Finance

Arnarhvoli

150 Reykjavik

ICELAND

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/

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| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/8

---

No State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

2010/C 298/06

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 7 July 2010 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case number | : | 67488 |
| Decision number | : | 292/10/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | Amendment to the Norwegian Special Tax System for Shipping |
| Legal basis | : | Article 61(3)(c) |
| Type of measure | : | Aid scheme |
| Objective | : | Promotion of the maritime sector |
| Form of aid | : | Tax exemptions |
| Budget | : | 0 |
| Duration | : | Income year 2010 |
| Economic sector | : | Maritime sector |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Ministry of Finance |
| PO Box 8008 Dep. |
| 0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

7 July 2010

Case number

:

67488

Decision number

:

292/10/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

Amendment to the Norwegian Special Tax System for Shipping

Legal basis

:

Article 61(3)(c)

Type of measure

:

Aid scheme

Objective

:

Promotion of the maritime sector

Form of aid

:

Tax exemptions

Budget

:

0

Duration

:

Income year 2010

Economic sector

:

Maritime sector

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Ministry of Finance

PO Box 8008 Dep.

0030 Oslo

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/9

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Call for proposals under the 2011 Ideas work programme of the Seventh EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities

2010/C 298/07

Notice is hereby given of the launch of a call for proposals under the 2011 Ideas work programme of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013).

Proposals are invited for the following call. Call deadlines and budget are given in the call text, which is published on the CORDIS and the Participant Portal websites.

Ideas Work Programme

| Call Title | ERC Advanced Investigators Grant |
| --- | --- |
| Call Identifier | ERC-2011-AdG |

Call Title

ERC Advanced Investigators Grant

Call Identifier

ERC-2011-AdG

This call for proposals relates to the work programme adopted by Commission Decision C(2010) 4898 of 19 July 2010.

Information on the modalities of the call, the work programme, and the guidance for applicants on how to submit proposals is available through the relevant European Commission websites:

| | http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7CallsPage and |
| --- | --- |

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7CallsPage and

| | http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/appmanager/participants/portal |
| --- | --- |

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/appmanager/participants/portal

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COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/10

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Action brought on 18 August 2010 by the EFTA Surveillance Authority against Iceland

(Case E-12/10)

2010/C 298/08

An action against Iceland was brought before the EFTA Court on 18 August 2010 by the EFTA Surveillance Authority, represented by Xavier Lewis and Ólafur Jóhannes Einarsson, acting as Agents of the EFTA Surveillance Authority, rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 35, 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority requests the EFTA Court to declare that:

| 1. | by maintaining in force Articles 5 and 7 of Act No 45/2007 on the rights and obligations of foreign undertakings that post workers temporarily in Iceland and on their workers’ terms and conditions of employment, Iceland has failed to fulfil its obligations arising from Article 36 of the EEA Agreement and Article 3 of the Act referred to at point 30 of Annex XVIII to the EEA Agreement, Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, as adapted to the EEA Agreement by Protocol 1 thereto; |
| --- | --- |

1.

by maintaining in force Articles 5 and 7 of Act No 45/2007 on the rights and obligations of foreign undertakings that post workers temporarily in Iceland and on their workers’ terms and conditions of employment, Iceland has failed to fulfil its obligations arising from Article 36 of the EEA Agreement and Article 3 of the Act referred to at point 30 of Annex XVIII to the EEA Agreement, Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, as adapted to the EEA Agreement by Protocol 1 thereto;

| 2. | the Republic of Iceland bears the costs of these proceedings. |
| --- | --- |

2.

the Republic of Iceland bears the costs of these proceedings.

Legal and factual background and pleas in law adduced in support:

| — | the application concerns which requirements the EEA States are permitted to impose regarding the employment conditions of workers posted to their territory, |
| --- | --- |

—

the application concerns which requirements the EEA States are permitted to impose regarding the employment conditions of workers posted to their territory,

| — | it is stated in the Application that Article 3 of Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, read in conjunction with Article 36 EEA, only allows the imposition of the minimum requirements listed in Article 3(1)(a)-(g) of the Directive, |
| --- | --- |

—

it is stated in the Application that Article 3 of Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, read in conjunction with Article 36 EEA, only allows the imposition of the minimum requirements listed in Article 3(1)(a)-(g) of the Directive,

| — | the EFTA Surveillance Authority states that the disputed Articles of Act No 45/2007 (the Posting Act) impose conditions not foreseen by any of the subparagraphs of Article 3 and are consequently in breach of Article 3 and Article 36 EEA. |
| --- | --- |

—

the EFTA Surveillance Authority states that the disputed Articles of Act No 45/2007 (the Posting Act) impose conditions not foreseen by any of the subparagraphs of Article 3 and are consequently in breach of Article 3 and Article 36 EEA.

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/11

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5913 — CEZ/EPH/Mibrag Group)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2010/C 298/09

| 1. | On 25 October 2010, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which HC Fin3 NV (The Netherlands) wholly owned by Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. (‘EPH’, Czech Republic), and ČEZ, a.s. (‘ČEZ’, Czech Republic) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control over JTSD Braunkohlebergbau GmbH (‘JTSD’, Germany) and its wholly owned subsidiary Mitteldeutsche Braunkohlengesellschaft mbH (‘Mibrag’, Germany, Mibrag and its subsidiaries collectively called Mibrag Group) which are currently controlled by ČEZ 's subsidiary Severočeské doly a.s. (‘SD’, Czech Republic) and Mr Křetínský wholly-owned special purpose vehicle, namely, Lignite Investments (Cyprus), by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 25 October 2010, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which HC Fin3 NV (The Netherlands) wholly owned by Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. (‘EPH’, Czech Republic), and ČEZ, a.s. (‘ČEZ’, Czech Republic) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control over JTSD Braunkohlebergbau GmbH (‘JTSD’, Germany) and its wholly owned subsidiary Mitteldeutsche Braunkohlengesellschaft mbH (‘Mibrag’, Germany, Mibrag and its subsidiaries collectively called Mibrag Group) which are currently controlled by ČEZ 's subsidiary Severočeské doly a.s. (‘SD’, Czech Republic) and Mr Křetínský wholly-owned special purpose vehicle, namely, Lignite Investments (Cyprus), by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for EPH: strategic investor in the energy sector and a major investor in industry, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for EPH: strategic investor in the energy sector and a major investor in industry,

| — | for JTSD: limited liability company fully controlling Mibrag, |
| --- | --- |

—

for JTSD: limited liability company fully controlling Mibrag,

| — | for Mibrag Group: mainly active in ortho-lignite mining, district heating, operation of lignite fired power generation plants in Germany, |
| --- | --- |

—

for Mibrag Group: mainly active in ortho-lignite mining, district heating, operation of lignite fired power generation plants in Germany,

| — | for SD: lignite mining in Czech Republic, |
| --- | --- |

—

for SD: lignite mining in Czech Republic,

| — | for ČEZ: different activities in the energy sector like (i) generation, (ii) distribution and (iii) sale of electricity and heat in the Czech Republic and (iv)electricity trading and operation of power plants in some other European countries. |
| --- | --- |

—

for ČEZ: different activities in the energy sector like (i) generation, (ii) distribution and (iii) sale of electricity and heat in the Czech Republic and (iv)electricity trading and operation of power plants in some other European countries.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope the EC 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 the EC 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-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5913 — CEZ/EPH/Mibrag Group, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 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-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5913 — CEZ/EPH/Mibrag Group, 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’).

---

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/12

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5785 — Sun Capital/DSM Special Products)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2010/C 298/10

| 1. | On 23 July 2010, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Sun Capital Partners IV, LP (‘Sun Capital Partners Fund’, USA), belonging to the Sun Capital Partners group, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of DSM Special Products BV (‘DSP’, the Netherlands), a subsidiary of the Royal DSM NV, by way of purchase of shares and assets. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 23 July 2010, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Sun Capital Partners IV, LP (‘Sun Capital Partners Fund’, USA), belonging to the Sun Capital Partners group, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of DSM Special Products BV (‘DSP’, the Netherlands), a subsidiary of the Royal DSM NV, by way of purchase of shares and assets.

| 2. | This notification was declared incomplete on 26 August 2010. The undertakings concerned have now provided the further information required. The notification became complete within the meaning of Article 10(1) of the Merger Regulation on 26 October 2010. |
| --- | --- |

2.

This notification was declared incomplete on 26 August 2010. The undertakings concerned have now provided the further information required. The notification became complete within the meaning of Article 10(1) of the Merger Regulation on 26 October 2010.

| 3. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Sun Capital Partners Fund: private equity investments,
  —   for DSP: production of fine chemicals, industrial intermediates and food additives. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Sun Capital Partners Fund: private equity investments,

—   for DSP: production of fine chemicals, industrial intermediates and food additives.

| 4. | On preliminary examination, the European 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.

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

| 5. | The European Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the European Commission.
  Observations must reach the European Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the European Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5785 — Sun Capital/DSM Special Products, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

5.

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

Observations must reach the European Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the European Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5785 — Sun Capital/DSM Special Products, 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’).

---

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/13

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6025 — Ardagh/Impress)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2010/C 298/11

| 1. | On 26 October 2010, 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(s) Ardagh Glass Group SA (hereinafter ‘Ardagh’, Luxembourg) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of Impress Coöperatieve UA (‘Impress’, Netherlands), by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 26 October 2010, 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(s) Ardagh Glass Group SA (hereinafter ‘Ardagh’, Luxembourg) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of Impress Coöperatieve UA (‘Impress’, Netherlands), by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Ardagh: supply of glass containers, including glass bottles and jars, as well as forming and inspecting machines for glass containers, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Ardagh: supply of glass containers, including glass bottles and jars, as well as forming and inspecting machines for glass containers,

| — | for Impress: supply of metal packaging products, including metal cans, mainly destined for processed food (food and seafood) and specialties (aerosols, paintings & coatings, dairy and custom). |
| --- | --- |

—

for Impress: supply of metal packaging products, including metal cans, mainly destined for processed food (food and seafood) and specialties (aerosols, paintings & coatings, dairy and custom).

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope the EC 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 the EC 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-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6025 — Ardagh/Impress, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 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-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6025 — Ardagh/Impress, 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’).

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 4.11.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 298/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.11.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 298/14

---

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

2010/C 298/12

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

‘GRUYÈRE’

EC No: FR-PGI-0005-0612-25.06.2007

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Gruyère’

2.   Member State or third country:

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.3 — | Cheeses |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.3 —

Cheeses

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

‘Gruyère’ is a cheese made from raw cow's milk. It comes in a flat, slightly bulging circular wheel shape with rounded sides. Its diameter ranges from 53 to 63 cm and its height from 13 to 16 cm.

It has a solid, grainy, rubbed rind, golden yellow to brown in colour. It is a hard cheese that has been cooked and pressed, is ivory to pale yellow in colour, must have holes ranging in size from that of a pea to a cherry and has characteristic aromas and flavours, resulting in particular from propionic fermentation.

The fat content of the cheese varies between 47 and 52 % after complete desiccation, with a dry matter content no less than 62 %.

The salt content is between 0,6 and 1,7 g of sodium chloride per 100 g of cheese.

Maturing lasts at least 120 days.

Prior to the cheese leaving the maturing cellar, a band must be affixed to the side of each wheel sold under the protected geographical indication ‘Gruyère’.

‘Gruyère’ may also be presented in portions or in grated form.

Smears can be removed from packaged portions of at least 40 g on condition that these portions include a grainy part containing the rind, on which the impression of the cloth or mould is still visible.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

The milk used to produce the cheese comes exclusively from dairy herds composed of cows of traditional local breeds adapted to the soil: Abondance, Tarentaise, Montbéliarde, Vosgienne, Simmental française.

In order to preserve the quality of the milk, the duration of the collection from the first milk producer to the time when the milk is unloaded at the cheesemaker's may not exceed six hours.

The milk used to produce the cheese is fermented by adding one or more natural leavening(s) cultivated in whey and/or natural rennet from curd cheese. These cultivations produce at least thermophilic lactobacilli, which contribute to the acidification process.

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

In order to guarantee a close link between the soil and the product through specific feed from the geographical area, the basic feed of dairy cows consists of grass and hay, at least 70 % of the total ration for the dairy herd comprises feed produced on the holding, calculated as a percentage of dry matter, at least 80 % of the roughage consumed by the herd originates from the geographical area and each dairy cow receives not more than 1 800 kg of complementary feed a year.

Fermented fodder, whether silage products or other, are not to be used in the feed of the dairy herd at any time of the year owing to the technological risks related to these practices during the production and maturing of cheeses.

Only raw materials and complementary feed derived from non-transgenic products are authorised on the holding so as to preserve the traditional nature of the feed.

In order to maintain the traditional practice of grazing, farm production systems where all the feed is supplied in troughs are forbidden. A minimum annual period of 150 days of grazing is mandatory.

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

The milk is produced and the cheese manufactured and matured in the identified geographical area.

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

No simultaneous operations involving any product other than ‘Gruyère’ may take place on the cutting and packaging line.

It is prohibited to use additives or anti-caking agents when grating the cheese.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

All cheeses with the protected geographical indication ‘Gruyère’ must bear a label showing the PGI name in a font at least as large as the largest font shown on the label. No other qualifiers or other indications may be placed next to the protected geographical indication on the label, in the marketing material, on invoices or in commercial documents.

The Community logo ‘PGI’ must appear on the labelling.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The production of milk and the processing and maturation of cheese must be carried out in the geographical area covering the following municipalities:

| | in the department of Ain:
  the cantons of Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, Belley, Brénod, Ceyzériat, Champagne-en-Valromey, Coligny, Collonges, Ferney-Voltaire, Gex, Hauteville-Lompnes, Izernore, Lagnieu, Lhuis, Nantua, Oyonnax-Nord, Poncin, Pont-d’Ain, Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, Seyssel, Treffort-Cuisiat, Virieu-le-Grand, Péronnas, Oyonnax-Sud, Viriat, Oyonnax, Bourg-en-Bresse: |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Ain:

the cantons of Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, Belley, Brénod, Ceyzériat, Champagne-en-Valromey, Coligny, Collonges, Ferney-Voltaire, Gex, Hauteville-Lompnes, Izernore, Lagnieu, Lhuis, Nantua, Oyonnax-Nord, Poncin, Pont-d’Ain, Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, Seyssel, Treffort-Cuisiat, Virieu-le-Grand, Péronnas, Oyonnax-Sud, Viriat, Oyonnax, Bourg-en-Bresse:

| | in the department of Côte-d’Or:
  the cantons of Fontaine-Française, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Seurre; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Côte-d’Or:

the cantons of Fontaine-Française, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Seurre;

| | in the department of Doubs:
  all municipalities; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Doubs:

all municipalities;

| | in the department of Isère:
  the cantons of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and Touvet; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Isère:

the cantons of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and Touvet;

| | in the department of Jura:
  all municipalities; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Jura:

all municipalities;

| | in the department of Haute-Marne:
  the cantons of Bourbonne-les-Bains, Bourmont, Clefmont, Fayl-la-Forêt, Laferté-sur-Amance, Langres, Longeau-Percey, Val-de-Meuse, Neuilly-l’Evêque, Nogent, Prauthoy, Terre-Natale; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Haute-Marne:

the cantons of Bourbonne-les-Bains, Bourmont, Clefmont, Fayl-la-Forêt, Laferté-sur-Amance, Langres, Longeau-Percey, Val-de-Meuse, Neuilly-l’Evêque, Nogent, Prauthoy, Terre-Natale;

| | in the department of Haute-Saône:
  all municipalities; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Haute-Saône:

all municipalities;

| | in the department of Saône-et-Loire:
  the cantons of Beaurepaire-en-Bresse, Cuiseaux, Pierre-de-Bresse, Saint-Germain-du-Bois; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Saône-et-Loire:

the cantons of Beaurepaire-en-Bresse, Cuiseaux, Pierre-de-Bresse, Saint-Germain-du-Bois;

| | in the department of Savoie:
  all municipalities; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Savoie:

all municipalities;

| | in the department of Haute-Savoie:
  all municipalities; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Haute-Savoie:

all municipalities;

| | in the department of Vosges:
  the cantons of Bains-les-Bains, Darney, Lamarche, Monthureux-sur-Saône, Plombières-les-Bains, Xertigny; |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Vosges:

the cantons of Bains-les-Bains, Darney, Lamarche, Monthureux-sur-Saône, Plombières-les-Bains, Xertigny;

| | in the department of Territoire de Belfort:
  the cantons of Delle, Fontaine, Giromagny, Rougemont-le-Château, Valdoie, Châtenois-les-Forges, Danjoutin, Beaucourt, Grandvillars, Offemont, Belfort. |
| --- | --- |

in the department of Territoire de Belfort:

the cantons of Delle, Fontaine, Giromagny, Rougemont-le-Château, Valdoie, Châtenois-les-Forges, Danjoutin, Beaucourt, Grandvillars, Offemont, Belfort.

Milk production and the processing of milk into pre-matured cheese can only be carried out in municipalities that have always done so using traditional methods and that meet the following criteria:

| — | a climate that tends towards continental with a large difference between winter and summer temperatures and, above all, high annual rainfall in excess of 900 m (the rain falls evenly throughout the year, with heavy rain in the summer, which encourages the growth of grass). |
| --- | --- |

—

a climate that tends towards continental with a large difference between winter and summer temperatures and, above all, high annual rainfall in excess of 900 m (the rain falls evenly throughout the year, with heavy rain in the summer, which encourages the growth of grass).

| — | a substratum that is mostly calcareous or molassic and possibly covered with drift deposits; a substratum that allows for the development of a rich natural flora that is different from the flora found on recent alluvial deposits or crystalline formations. |
| --- | --- |

—

a substratum that is mostly calcareous or molassic and possibly covered with drift deposits; a substratum that allows for the development of a rich natural flora that is different from the flora found on recent alluvial deposits or crystalline formations.

5.   Link with geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

5.1.1.   Natural factors

The geographical area covers upland areas and limestone plateaux that are difficult to cultivate and suited to the grassland grazing of dairy herds adapted to the harsh conditions of mountainous regions, with adjacent valleys where ‘Gruyère’ can be matured and distributed.

The geographical area is composed principally of calcareous sedimentary rock, where the soil is often rather thin.

Its climate tends, on the one hand, towards continental with a big difference between winter and summer temperatures and rainfall that, although it is even throughout the year, is heavy in the summer, and, on the other hand, towards northern with a low annual average temperature, despite summer heatwaves, and a large number of days of frost.

The climate is mountainous or sub-mountainous and very rainy, with annual rainfall in excess of 900 mm. This rainfall is heavy even at low altitudes and increases in the interior of the mountains, where coniferous trees such as spruce are predominant. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year, and the lack of dry seasons promotes the growth of grass.

The cellars are still today often located in valleys or in plains, at important crossroads of communication. In the past, this made it easy to transport salt, part of which used to come from the Jura (e.g. the salt works of d’Arc-et-Senans, Salins les Bains, Poligny, Lons-le-Saunier, etc.), to the area. The delicate maturing process involves rubbing the cheeses with a combination of natural and local microflora, salt and water called a ‘smear’. The microflora multiplies naturally in cellars where a favourable environment is created by a sufficient number of cheeses. This can be achieved by grouping together the cheeses that arrive from the cheese dairies. The smear constitutes a link between the natural microscopic environment and the specificity of the cheese.

5.1.2.   Human factors: the system of cheese dairies

‘Gruyère’ has been produced for several centuries and is one of the oldest French cheeses. ‘Gruyère’ is mentioned in a very large number of historical documents from the entire eastern central region of France sharing a border with Switzerland. It is an international zone, part of which is in France, part in Switzerland. The borders of these two countries have changed over the centuries. The Kingdom of Savoie included part of modern-day France and part of modern-day Switzerland. The traditional name ‘Gruyère’ refers to the ‘gruyers’, tax collectors who exacted dues on the ‘fruit’ of the mountain: logging.

Since the end of the 19th century, the traditional production area for ‘Gruyère’ has corresponded to the area covered by the cheese dairies, namely a vast part of the central eastern regions of France including Franche-Comté, Savoie and Haute-Savoie as well as a few peripheral regions such as Bassigny (Haute-Marne), Bugey or Vercors.

The regional tradition of cheese-making is based on collective ways of sharing milk to produce large cheeses and thus profit throughout the year from the milk produced in the summer. The system is based on strong solidarity and common rules. The pooling of means enables each small milk-production unit to participate in the production of cheeses that can be eaten throughout the year. The milk producers in the cheese production cooperatives own the premises of the cheese dairy (called ‘fruitière’ in French) and are responsible for hiring the cheesemaker, who will increase the value of their milk production by making cheese.

Traditionally, milk production and cheese processing are located in a different place to that of the maturing premises. The characteristics of the environment described below contribute to the production of a type of milk used to make cheese. The milk is collected, delivered and processed daily. The first-stage processing of milk takes place near the grazing area. The complicated method of producing ‘Gruyère’ on these processing sites requires the special know-how of the cheesemaker, in particular concerning the use of various natural leavenings.

The pre-matured cheeses are transported to and grouped together in maturating cellars adapted to the maturation of ‘Gruyère’, where cheese maturers are in charge of the cheeses for several months. The maturation process calls for solid know-how of the different phases and an understanding of the parameters (kinetics, temperature, hygrometry, duration) enabling the development of propionic fermentation. Transporting pre-matured cheeses to sometimes distant maturation cellars is typical of the cheese-making tradition of the ‘Gruyère’ zone. It is part of the age-old specialisation of cheesemakers in the maturation process of this cheese, which results in a highly specialised know-how. Grouping the cheeses together in the same place promotes a specific kinetics of maturation, especially in warm cellars, and the development of a special microflora in the smear.

Besides, the strategic geographic location of the maturers facilitates the exportation of the matured cheeses to big consumption centres and also aids in marketing, with the maturers acting as promoters of ‘Gruyère’.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

‘Gruyère’ is a hard-pressed, cooked cheese made of raw milk. It is large in size and matures slowly. It has a firm but elastic texture with holes: in fact, it is the only pressed and cooked cheese with a protected geographical indication that must have ‘small holes’.

Part of the maturation, for which special know-how has developed, must take place partly in warm cellars so that cracks ranging in size from that of a pea to a cherry develop as a result of the fermentation process and so that the cheese acquires aromas and flavours characteristic of propionic fermentation.

‘Gruyère’ is the ‘original’ cheese behind a number of large cheeses produced in the eastern central region. They have developed into cheeses that usually have fewer holes owing to slight modifications of the processing and/or maturing techniques.

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):

Natural factors and human know-how are combined to produce a specific type of cheese.

In the first stage, milk is produced in difficult mountain conditions from animals fed on grass and hay.

The physical conditions of the environment are favourable for milk production. The low-quality calcareous soils of the medium mountain area typical of a humid continental climate led to the development of cattle breeding that makes it possible to benefit from the area's grassland production. The natural plains, with their great floral wealth (broadleaf weeds, in particular), promote the development of aromatic compounds in this cheese. The greatest benefit is gained from local grass by using local dairy cow breeds and limiting the use of concentrates in the feed. By forbidding the use of fermented feed, it is possible to ensure the good outcome of the propionic fermentation at the origin of the holes and the characteristic aromas of the cheese during maturation. The aromatic richness of the natural prairie flora finds its way into the cheeses through the milk's own microflora. This is enhanced by the cheesemaker, who uses natural leavenings and traditional practices such as a fermenter made of copper and having a maximum useful capacity equivalent to the production of 14 wheels of cheese. The aromatic potential is not revealed until maturation, which is carried out in a specific way using natural local smears.

In the cheese-processing establishments, the cheesemaker's special know-how and the use of mostly indigenous leavenings and raw milk containing natural flora found in milk make it possible to preserve the aromatic potential and final quality of the cheeses. The joint collection of milk and the need to store the cheese for a long time (so that milk could be consumed in the form of cheese during the winter) are the reasons why this cheese has always come in large wheels.

Finally, the takeover of the product, its storage and its maturation by maturers who use natural smears and spruce (an abundant local resource) as a support and who master the special kinetics of maturation make it possible to reveal the organoleptic characteristics of ‘Gruyère’, in particular the holes and the aromas and flavours typical of propionic fermentation. The maturers of ‘Gruyère’ have ancestral know-how. However, it would not suffice without the know-how of the cattle breeders and cheesemakers. The three big players in the production of ‘Gruyère’ (milk producers, cheesemakers, maturers) are inseparable and work together to endow this special cheese with its specific qualities linked to its region of origin.

The maturer is located strategically along traffic routes. He or she is often settled on the outskirts of milk-production and cheese-processing areas, close to important crossroads that facilitate the export of the cheeses, made possible by their long storage life.

Reference to publication of the specification:

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

https://www.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/CDCIGPGruyere.pdf

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

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