# Official Journal C 75/2021

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 75 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 644 March 2021 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 75

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 644 March 2021

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2021/C 75/01 | Euro exchange rates — 3 March 2021 | 1 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Secretariat |
| 2021/C 75/02 | European Free Trade Association – List of natural mineral waters recognised by Iceland and Norway
  (Annuls and replaces the text published in OJ C 155, 3.5.2018, p. 9 and EEA Supplement No 28, 3 May 2018, p. 6) | 2 |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2021/C 75/03 | State aid – Decision to raise no objections | 3 |
| 2021/C 75/04 | State aid – Decision to raise no objections | 4 |

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2021/C 75/01

Euro exchange rates — 3 March 2021

1

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Secretariat

2021/C 75/02

European Free Trade Association – List of natural mineral waters recognised by Iceland and Norway
  (Annuls and replaces the text published in OJ C 155, 3.5.2018, p. 9 and EEA Supplement No 28, 3 May 2018, p. 6)

(Annuls and replaces the text published in OJ C 155, 3.5.2018, p. 9 and EEA Supplement No 28, 3 May 2018, p. 6)

2

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2021/C 75/03

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

3

2021/C 75/04

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

4

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | COURT PROCEEDINGS |
| | EFTA Court |
| 2021/C 75/05 | Judgment of the Court of 17 November 2020 in Case E-9/19 – Abelia and WTW AS v – EFTA Surveillance Authority | 5 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2021/C 75/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10194 — CDP Venture Capital/Generali Welion/JV) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2021/C 75/07 | Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 | 8 |

V   Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

2021/C 75/05

Judgment of the Court of 17 November 2020 in Case E-9/19 – Abelia and WTW AS v – EFTA Surveillance Authority

5

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2021/C 75/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10194 — CDP Venture Capital/Generali Welion/JV) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2021/C 75/07

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

8

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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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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

3 March 2021

(2021/C 75/01)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2048 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 128,81 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4362 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,86351 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,1250 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1064 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 152,50 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,2451 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 26,138 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 363,75 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,5336 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,8775 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 8,9009 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5455 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5234 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,3452 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6581 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,6041 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 347,23 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 18,0073 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,7897 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5805 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 17 175,15 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,8806 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 58,420 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 88,8857 |
| THB | Thai baht | 36,566 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 6,8827 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 24,9919 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 87,7665 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2048

JPY

Japanese yen

128,81

DKK

Danish krone

7,4362

GBP

Pound sterling

0,86351

SEK

Swedish krona

10,1250

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1064

ISK

Iceland króna

152,50

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,2451

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

26,138

HUF

Hungarian forint

363,75

PLN

Polish zloty

4,5336

RON

Romanian leu

4,8775

TRY

Turkish lira

8,9009

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5455

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5234

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,3452

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6581

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,6041

KRW

South Korean won

1 347,23

ZAR

South African rand

18,0073

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,7897

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5805

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

17 175,15

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,8806

PHP

Philippine peso

58,420

RUB

Russian rouble

88,8857

THB

Thai baht

36,566

BRL

Brazilian real

6,8827

MXN

Mexican peso

24,9919

INR

Indian rupee

87,7665

---

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

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Secretariat

| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/2

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European Free Trade Association

List of natural mineral waters recognised by Iceland and Norway

(Annuls and replaces the text published in OJ C 155, 3.5.2018, p. 9 and EEA Supplement No 28, 3 May 2018, p. 6)

(2021/C 75/02)

In accordance with Article 1 of Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters (1), as incorporated in point 54zzzzd of Chapter XII of Annex II of the EEA Agreement, a list of recognised natural mineral waters shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and the EEA Supplement thereto.

LIST OF NATURAL MINERAL WATERS RECOGNISED BY ICELAND:

| Trade Name | Name of source | Place of exploitation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Icelandic Glacial | Ölfus Spring | Hlíðarendi, Ölfus, Selfoss |

Trade Name

Name of source

Place of exploitation

Icelandic Glacial

Ölfus Spring

Hlíðarendi, Ölfus, Selfoss

LIST OF NATURAL MINERAL WATERS RECOGNISED BY NORWAY:

| Trade Name | Name of source | Place of exploitation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bonaqua Silver | Telemark kilden | Fyresdal |
| Eira | Eira kilden | Eresfjord |
| Farris | Kong Olavs kilde | Larvik |
| Isbre | Isbre kilden | Buhaugen, Osa, Ulvik |
| Isklar | Isklar kildene | Vikebygd i Ullensvang |
| Fyresdal | Fyresdal kilden | Fyresdal |
| Olden | Blåfjell kilden | Oldedalen |
| Osa | Osa kilden | Ulvik/Hardanger |
| Rustad Spring | Rustad kilden | Rustad/Elverum |
| Snåsa | Snåsakilden | Snåsa |
| Voss | Vosskilden | Vatnestrøm/Iveland |

Trade Name

Name of source

Place of exploitation

Bonaqua Silver

Telemark kilden

Fyresdal

Eira

Eira kilden

Eresfjord

Farris

Kong Olavs kilde

Larvik

Isbre

Isbre kilden

Buhaugen, Osa, Ulvik

Isklar

Isklar kildene

Vikebygd i Ullensvang

Fyresdal

Fyresdal kilden

Fyresdal

Olden

Blåfjell kilden

Oldedalen

Osa

Osa kilden

Ulvik/Hardanger

Rustad Spring

Rustad kilden

Rustad/Elverum

Snåsa

Snåsakilden

Snåsa

Voss

Vosskilden

Vatnestrøm/Iveland

---

(1)  OJ L 164, 26.6.2009, p. 45.

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EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/3

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State aid – Decision to raise no objections

(2021/C 75/03)

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 24 November 2020 |
| --- | --- |
| Case No | 85848 |
| Decision No | 136/20/COL |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | COVID-19 3rd amendment and prolongation of the guarantee scheme for airlines |
| Legal basis | The national legal basis for the amendment and prolongation will be the Parliamentary Decision authorising the extension of the guarantee period under the scheme and a prolongation of the aid measure. |
| Type of measure | Scheme |
| Objective | The purpose of the guarantee scheme is to alleviate the liquidity shortage faced by the airline industry and ensure that disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak do not undermine the airlines’ viability. |
| Form of aid | Public guarantees |
| Budget | Estimated NOK 6 billion |
| Duration | 30 June 2021 |
| Economic sectors | Airline industry |
| Name and address of the granting authority | GIEK, the Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency |
| Pb 1763 Vika |
| N-0122 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

24 November 2020

Case No

85848

Decision No

136/20/COL

EFTA State

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

COVID-19 3rd amendment and prolongation of the guarantee scheme for airlines

Legal basis

The national legal basis for the amendment and prolongation will be the Parliamentary Decision authorising the extension of the guarantee period under the scheme and a prolongation of the aid measure.

Type of measure

Scheme

Objective

The purpose of the guarantee scheme is to alleviate the liquidity shortage faced by the airline industry and ensure that disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak do not undermine the airlines’ viability.

Form of aid

Public guarantees

Budget

Estimated NOK 6 billion

Duration

30 June 2021

Economic sectors

Airline industry

Name and address of the granting authority

GIEK, the Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency

Pb 1763 Vika

N-0122 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/decisions/

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| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/4

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State aid – Decision to raise no objections

(2021/C 75/04)

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 25 November 2020 |
| --- | --- |
| Case No | 85853 |
| Decision No | 137/20/COL |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | COVID-19 Compensation scheme for operators of year-round, commercial, long-distance scheduled bus or passenger boat services |
| Legal basis | The regulation on a temporary compensation scheme for operators of commercial bus and passenger boat routes with a loss in turnover caused by the COVID-19 outbreak |
| Type of measure | Scheme |
| Objective | Compensation for loss incurred by Covid-19 outbreak and the infection control measures implemented by the Norwegian authorities, to ensure the continuity of year-round, commercial, long-distance bus and passenger boat services that do not receive compensation from local or other public authorities for public services obligation |
| Form of aid | Direct grants |
| Budget | NOK 100 million |
| Intensity | 80 % June, 60 % in July and August |
| Duration | 1.6.2020 – 31.8.2020 |
| Economic sectors | Land and sea transport |
| Name and address of the granting authority | The Norwegian Railway Directorate |
| Jernbanedirektoratet |
| Postboks 16 Sentrum |
| N-0101 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

25 November 2020

Case No

85853

Decision No

137/20/COL

EFTA State

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

COVID-19 Compensation scheme for operators of year-round, commercial, long-distance scheduled bus or passenger boat services

Legal basis

The regulation on a temporary compensation scheme for operators of commercial bus and passenger boat routes with a loss in turnover caused by the COVID-19 outbreak

Type of measure

Scheme

Objective

Compensation for loss incurred by Covid-19 outbreak and the infection control measures implemented by the Norwegian authorities, to ensure the continuity of year-round, commercial, long-distance bus and passenger boat services that do not receive compensation from local or other public authorities for public services obligation

Form of aid

Direct grants

Budget

NOK 100 million

Intensity

80 % June, 60 % in July and August

Duration

1.6.2020 – 31.8.2020

Economic sectors

Land and sea transport

Name and address of the granting authority

The Norwegian Railway Directorate

Jernbanedirektoratet

Postboks 16 Sentrum

N-0101 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/decisions/

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V Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/5

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 17 November 2020

in Case E-9/19

Abelia and WTW AS

v

EFTA Surveillance Authority

(Action for annulment of a decision of the EFTA Surveillance Authority – State aid – eHealth – Admissibility – Status as interested party – Doubts or serious difficulties – Notion of an undertaking)

(2021/C 75/05)

In Case E-9/19, Abelia and WTW AS v EFTA Surveillance Authority – APPLICATION for the annulment of EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 57/19/COL of 10 July 2019 to close the case without opening the formal investigation procedure as to whether the public financing of eHealth and digital health infrastructure in the Norwegian healthcare system, as well as the provision of certain support services and registers, constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, the Court, composed of Páll Hreinsson, President, Per Christiansen and Bernd Hammermann (Judge-Rapporteur), Judges, gave judgment on 17 November 2020, the operative part of which is as follows:

The Court hereby:

| 1. | Dismisses the application as unfounded. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Dismisses the application as unfounded.

| 2. | Orders the applicants to pay the costs incurred by the EFTA Surveillance Authority. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Orders the applicants to pay the costs incurred by the EFTA Surveillance Authority.

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/6

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.10194 — CDP Venture Capital/Generali Welion/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2021/C 75/06)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. (‘CDP’, Italy); |
| --- | --- |

—

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. (‘CDP’, Italy);

| — | CDP Venture Capital SGR S.p.A. (‘CDP Venture Capital’, Italy), controlled by CDP; |
| --- | --- |

—

CDP Venture Capital SGR S.p.A. (‘CDP Venture Capital’, Italy), controlled by CDP;

| — | Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (‘Assicurazioni Generali’, Italy); |
| --- | --- |

—

Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (‘Assicurazioni Generali’, Italy);

| — | Generali Welion S.C.A.R.L (‘Generali Welion’, Italy), controlled by Assicurazioni Generali; and |
| --- | --- |

—

Generali Welion S.C.A.R.L (‘Generali Welion’, Italy), controlled by Assicurazioni Generali; and

| — | JVCo, a newly established joint venture company (‘JVCo’, Italy), jointly controlled by CDP Venture Capital and by Generali Welion. |
| --- | --- |

—

JVCo, a newly established joint venture company (‘JVCo’, Italy), jointly controlled by CDP Venture Capital and by Generali Welion.

CDP Venture Capital and Generali Welion acquire, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation, joint control of JVCo.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

| — | for CDP: financing of public bodies and initiatives promoted by them, in the acquisition of shareholdings in companies of significant national interest, in the financing of works, plants, networks and endowments for the provision of public services; |
| --- | --- |

—

for CDP: financing of public bodies and initiatives promoted by them, in the acquisition of shareholdings in companies of significant national interest, in the financing of works, plants, networks and endowments for the provision of public services;

| — | for CDP Venture Capital: direct and indirect investments, managing funds, support startups in all phases of their life cycle; |
| --- | --- |

—

for CDP Venture Capital: direct and indirect investments, managing funds, support startups in all phases of their life cycle;

| — | for Assicurazioni Generali: all types of insurance, nationally and internationally; |
| --- | --- |

—

for Assicurazioni Generali: all types of insurance, nationally and internationally;

| — | for Generali Welion: consultancy and management services for individual health and corporate welfare; and |
| --- | --- |

—

for Generali Welion: consultancy and management services for individual health and corporate welfare; and

| — | for JVCo: the provision of residential and recreational services for the elderly, as well as wellness and assistance services. |
| --- | --- |

—

for JVCo: the provision of residential and recreational services for the elderly, as well as wellness and assistance services.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.10194 — CDP Venture Capital/Generali Welion/JV

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

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

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

1

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

2

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 4.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 75/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/8

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Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

(2021/C 75/07)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

The application for approval of this minor amendment can be consulted in the Commission’s eAmbrosia database.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘JIHOČESKÁ NIVA’

EU No: PGI-CZ-0405-AM02 – 28.8.2020

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s)

‘Jihočeská Niva’

2.   Member State or third country

Czech Republic

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.3. Cheeses

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

Outside appearance: The cheese is cylindrical, having a diameter of 180-200 mm and a height of approximately 10 cm (weight approximately 2,8 kg), with signs of surface treatment by washing or scraping; the bluish-green mould throughout the inside of the cheese and the smear covering part of its surface are not detrimental. The surface of the cheese may be cream to light brownish in colour.

Internal appearance: The inside of the cheese is off-white to cream in colour, with a regular green to bluish-green marbling of mould in the paste and recognisable pierce marks.

Consistency: mild, crumbly when spread, evenly ripened; the presence of foreign mould is not permitted.

Flavour and aroma: salty, pungent, aromatic, with a sharp finish, characteristic of cultured Penicillium roqueforti mould.

Form in which the product is marketed: the cheese is marketed whole, in halves or in portions of various weights.

Physico-chemical requirements:

Dry-matter content: 52 %.

Permissible negative divergence in dry-matter content: -1 %, positive divergences in dry-matter content are not detrimental.

Fat content in dry matter: 50 %. Permissible range of FCDM values: 50 % to < 55 %.

Salt content: from 2,5 % to 5,5 %

Microbiological characteristics:

The cheese contains cultured Penicillium roqueforti mould PY or PV, CB or PR1 (up to PR4). Other strains of Penicillium roqueforti mould produced by other producers, whose properties correspond to the strains listed here, may also be used. In addition, in terms of microbiological requirements, the cheese meets the usual criteria for food safety and production-process hygiene.

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

The basic raw material used in the production of this natural cheese with mould inside it is dairy-processed cow’s milk. Only milk from the defined area is used. Other raw materials are: Penicillium roqueforti mould PY or PV, CB or PR1 (up to PR4), (as well as other Penicilium roqueforti strains from other producers, whose properties correspond to the strains listed here), salt, dairy cultures, rennet and calcium chloride.

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

The basic raw material, i.e. milk, must come from the defined geographical area. The entire production, ripening and packaging process must take place in the defined area so that maximum use can be made of long-standing local experience and the original ripening cellars.

Dairy-processed milk with a fat content of 3,45 %, with a tolerance of +/-0,15 %, is fed into the cheese-making machine and commonly used starter cultures, which ensure good acidification throughout the production and ripening of the cheese, are added. The characteristic taste of ‘Jihočeská Niva’ is imparted by cultured Penicillium roqueforti mould, which has been used for several decades (the culture stock is commonly available for use in the food industry). After the rennet has been added and the milk has curdled, the resulting curd grains are packed into cylindrical moulds. The whey is drained off and the microflora culture developed at a defined temperature. The cheese is salted in two stages (first it is placed in a brine bath, then it is rubbed with coarse-grained salt), or by applying salt to the surface. In the past, ripening took place only in natural ripening cellars that were hollowed out of limestone rock. In 2005, owing to an increase in blue cheese production, air-conditioned ripening cellars equipped with temperature and humidity controls were built. The cheese is ripened in the cellars for around 4 weeks.

The surface of the ripened cheese is washed or scraped.

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

In view of the biotechnological nature of the product, blue cheese must be packed directly at the production facility. This is also necessary to maintain product quality and hygiene and to prevent the cheese from being confused with cheese that is made in a different area and, last but not least, to permit better traceability of the product.

The entire cylinder or part thereof is packed in aluminium foil or special oxygen-permeable film. A further part of the production is cut up into portions and packed in plastic tubs covered with printed plastic film.

The product packaging must be intact, clean and correctly labelled.

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

The designation ‘Jihočeská Niva’ is clearly marked on the product packaging.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area is the southern Bohemia region, whose borders are defined by Act No 36/1960 on the territorial division of the State, as amended.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The southern Bohemia region is one of the Czech Republic’s least polluted areas. It has always been considered to be a predominantly agricultural area. This is still the case today.

The milk comes from southern Bohemia. The unique flora of the pastures, which are located in the Novohradské Hory [Nové Hrady Moutains], Blanský les [Blanský Forest] and Šumava [Bohemian Forest] protected areas, has a positive effect on the taste of the milk.

This varied, rugged terrain with unspoilt forests, meadows, pastures and clean water courses is characterised by a very clean environment, particularly around Český Krumlov and in the Šumava hills (declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1990). Proof of the high value of southern Bohemia’s natural environment lies in the large number of officially designated protected areas, two of which have UNESCO-protected status.

They contain species-rich pastures, in particular mesophilic meadows, which are home to flora specific to this area. Short-stalked plants (mat-grass, fescues, etc.) with high varietal diversity are characteristic, alongside certain rare varieties typical of the area. One specific endemic plant is Phyteuma nigrum, and others include Gentiana pannonica, Gentiana cruciata, Ligusticum mutellina, Arnica montana, Gentianella praecox subsp. Bohemica, Carex michelii, Andropogon ischaemum, Veronica teucrium, Stachys recta, Koeleria pyramidata, etc.

Of course, local people’s experience in producing this cheese, handed down from generation to generation, has also had a major influence on the quality and properties of ‘Jihočeská Niva’.

These factors clearly distinguish the defined area from surrounding regions.

‘Jihočeská Niva’ cheese is characterised by very high-quality processing and by its taste, with a balanced dry-matter, fat and salt content; it has been made for several decades by the process referred to in (3.5). The basis for the product is milk from southern Bohemia.

‘Jihočeská Niva’ blue cheese has been produced at the Český Krumlov plant using the same production method since 1951. Numerous references in the press attest to the history of Niva cheese production. The cheese was named after the Šumava meadows and pastures that are the source of the main ingredient, i.e. cow’s milk. The unique local flora has a positive effect on the taste of the milk and hence also on the final product.

‘Jihočeská Niva’ blue cheese is very highly regarded on the Czech market both by the general public and by dairy-industry specialists. For many years ‘Jihočeská Niva’ has been judged by panels of experts at nationwide cheese shows to be amongst the very best in the ‘blue cheese’ category. ‘Jihočeská Niva’ is similarly highly rated by the general public.

The cheese’s popularity and reputation is also confirmed by the fact that it is presented as one of the characteristic products of the southern Bohemia region, which is made clear in the short publicity film (see annex – CD).

Reference to publication of the specification

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

https://isdv.upv.cz/doc/vestnik/2020/vestnik_UPV_202010.pdf#page=151

Official Journal No 10 of 4.3.2020, p. 151.

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

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