# Official Journal C 27/2012

| | ISSN 1977-091X
  doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.027.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 27 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 551 February 2012 |

ISSN 1977-091X

doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.027.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 27

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 551 February 2012

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 027/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6430 — Oaktree/Panrico) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2012/C 027/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6430 — Oaktree/Panrico) (
  1
  )

1

1

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 027/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| 2012/C 027/03 | Summary of Commission Decision of 15 December 2009 on the National Restructuring Programme and the Individual Business Plan for the Bulgarian steel producer Kremikovtzi | 3 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2012/C 027/02

Euro exchange rates

2

2012/C 027/03

Summary of Commission Decision of 15 December 2009 on the National Restructuring Programme and the Individual Business Plan for the Bulgarian steel producer Kremikovtzi

3

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 027/04 | Call for proposals 2012 for indirect actions under the multi-annual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (Safer Internet) (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 027/05 | Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (Notice regarding an application for a mining claim to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the Faÿ mining claim)
   (
  1
  ) | 10 |
| 2012/C 027/06 | Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (Notice regarding applications for exclusive licences to prospect for liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the Bussy-Lettrée Licence, the Arcis-sur-Aube Licence, the Vatry Licence, the Coole Licence, the Champagne Licence, the Soudé Licence, the St-Chéron Licence, the Templiers Licence, and the Camp de Mailly Licence)
   (
  1
  ) | 12 |
| 2012/C 027/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6480 — PetroFina/Fina Antwerp Olefins) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 16 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 027/08 | 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 | 17 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2012/C 027/04

Call for proposals 2012 for indirect actions under the multi-annual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (Safer Internet) (
  1
  )

Safer Internet

1

5

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2012/C 027/05

Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (Notice regarding an application for a mining claim to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the Faÿ mining claim)
   (
  1
  )

(Notice regarding an application for a mining claim to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the Faÿ mining claim)

1

10

2012/C 027/06

Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (Notice regarding applications for exclusive licences to prospect for liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the Bussy-Lettrée Licence, the Arcis-sur-Aube Licence, the Vatry Licence, the Coole Licence, the Champagne Licence, the Soudé Licence, the St-Chéron Licence, the Templiers Licence, and the Camp de Mailly Licence)
   (
  1
  )

(Notice regarding applications for exclusive licences to prospect for liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the Bussy-Lettrée Licence, the Arcis-sur-Aube Licence, the Vatry Licence, the Coole Licence, the Champagne Licence, the Soudé Licence, the St-Chéron Licence, the Templiers Licence, and the Camp de Mailly Licence)

1

12

2012/C 027/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6480 — PetroFina/Fina Antwerp Olefins) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

16

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2012/C 027/08

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

17

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

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(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

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6430 — Oaktree/Panrico)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 27/01

On 19 December 2011, 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 32011M6430. 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 32011M6430. 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

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

31 January 2012

2012/C 27/02

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,3176 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 100,63 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4346 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,83510 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 8,8967 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,2048 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,6560 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,188 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 293,91 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6991 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2243 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,3418 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,3330 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,2366 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3134 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,2194 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5918 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,6487 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 477,99 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 10,2530 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,3121 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5780 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 835,56 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,0128 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 56,506 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 39,6900 |
| THB | Thai baht | 40,753 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,2893 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 17,0234 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 65,1360 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,3176

JPY

Japanese yen

100,63

DKK

Danish krone

7,4346

GBP

Pound sterling

0,83510

SEK

Swedish krona

8,8967

CHF

Swiss franc

1,2048

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,6560

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,188

HUF

Hungarian forint

293,91

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6991

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2243

RON

Romanian leu

4,3418

TRY

Turkish lira

2,3330

AUD

Australian dollar

1,2366

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3134

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,2194

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5918

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,6487

KRW

South Korean won

1 477,99

ZAR

South African rand

10,2530

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,3121

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5780

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 835,56

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,0128

PHP

Philippine peso

56,506

RUB

Russian rouble

39,6900

THB

Thai baht

40,753

BRL

Brazilian real

2,2893

MXN

Mexican peso

17,0234

INR

Indian rupee

65,1360

---

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

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| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/3

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Summary of Commission Decision of 15 December 2009 on the National Restructuring Programme and the Individual Business Plan for the Bulgarian steel producer Kremikovtzi

2012/C 27/03

LEGAL BASIS

In line with Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement (1), Bulgaria made use of the opportunity to restructure its steel industry with public support before accession. To this end, Bulgaria set up in 2004 a National Steel Restructuring Plan (‘NRP’) and an Individual Business Plan (‘IBP’) for the sole beneficiary Kremikovtzi AD. By Council Decision of 18 October 2004, the plans were found to be compliant with the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement.

The restructuring period agreed for Kremikovtzi was due to end on 31 December 2006. Upon request by Bulgaria, and subject to the full implementation of a new IBP for Kremikovtzi or a commitment by Bulgaria to recover if this does not happen, this period was prolonged by additional two years until the end of 2008. To ensure control of the implementation of the new business plan after accession, the EU-Bulgaria Association Council adopted a decision on 29 December 2006 (‘AC Decision’) which laid down the procedural framework for monitoring and potential enforcement in the event monitoring showed that the plans were not implemented as agreed:

| ‘1. | The European Commission shall regularly monitor the implementation of the restructuring programme and the plans referred to in Article 2 on behalf of the European Community. The Ministry of Finance shall do so on behalf of Bulgaria. The European Commission may require Bulgaria to take appropriate steps to modify the restructuring plan for Kremikovtzi AD company in case the fulfilment of the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement are unlikely to be fulfilled. |
| --- | --- |

‘1.

The European Commission shall regularly monitor the implementation of the restructuring programme and the plans referred to in Article 2 on behalf of the European Community. The Ministry of Finance shall do so on behalf of Bulgaria. The European Commission may require Bulgaria to take appropriate steps to modify the restructuring plan for Kremikovtzi AD company in case the fulfilment of the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement are unlikely to be fulfilled.

| 2. | The Commission shall decide whether the restructuring programme and the plans are fully implemented and are in compliance with the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Commission shall decide whether the restructuring programme and the plans are fully implemented and are in compliance with the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement.

| 3. | In case monitoring of the implementation of the restructuring programme and the plans shows that the relevant conditions of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement and key restructuring measures, including all investments implemented, have not been fulfilled or that in the course of the restructuring period Bulgaria has granted additional State aid in favour of the steel industry, and to Kremikovtzi AD in particular, Bulgaria shall recover from the beneficiary any aid granted in breach of these conditions before or after its accession to the European Union.’ |
| --- | --- |

3.

In case monitoring of the implementation of the restructuring programme and the plans shows that the relevant conditions of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement and key restructuring measures, including all investments implemented, have not been fulfilled or that in the course of the restructuring period Bulgaria has granted additional State aid in favour of the steel industry, and to Kremikovtzi AD in particular, Bulgaria shall recover from the beneficiary any aid granted in breach of these conditions before or after its accession to the European Union.’

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

Kremikovtzi is the largest Bulgarian steel producer. In the period 1998-2005, the company benefited from public support totalling EUR 222 million. These funds were qualified compatible restructuring aid provided certain conditions are met, in particular the full implementation of the IBP. Under the IBP agreed by the Commission in 2006, Kremikovtzi was expected to have reached long-term viability by 31 December 2008. Key elements of the IBP were: a total of EUR 560 million investments in modernisation and environmental protection, reduction of production cost and increase of product quality. Kremikovtzi was to have reached long-term viability by 31 December 2008. On 6 August 2008 however, the Sofia City Court initiated a bankruptcy procedure for Kremikovtzi because the company was no more able to serve its debts.

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

In line with the AC Decision, the Commission assessed whether Kremikovtzi fully implemented the IBP and came to the conclusion that this is not the case. Out of the modernisation investments scheduled in the IBP of 2006, only 43 % had been implemented. This had a detrimental effect on the improvement of the product quality and on cost reduction. The total investments carried out for environmental purposes amounted to only 23 % of the funds the company was obliged to invest. As a result the company did not obtain the coordinated permit needed for further production. In addition, the company was not provided with sufficient working capital which had a negative impact on credit conditions and purchase prices. The Commission also notes that these main reasons for the company's failure to successfully restructure are endogenous and are not linked to the economic crisis which started affecting the steel industry only in fall 2008.

The Commission notes that Bulgaria has so far complied with this obligation insofar as the Bulgarian authorities have initiated proceedings in view of recovery of the aid granted to Kremikovtzi after the company was declared insolvent in August 2008, without awaiting a previous Commission Decision,

THE COMMISSION HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The restructuring programme and the plans for Kremikovtzi AD are not fully implemented and are therefore not in compliance with the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to Bulgaria.

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(1)  OJ L 328, 30.10.2004, p. 101.

1

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/5

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Call for proposals 2012 for indirect actions under the multi-annual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (Safer Internet)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 27/04

1.   In accordance with Decision No 1351/2008/EC of 16 December 2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a multi-annual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (1) (Safer Internet), the European Commission hereby invites proposals for actions to be financed under the programme.

Safer Internet is based on four actions:

| (a) | ensuring public awareness; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

ensuring public awareness;

| (b) | fighting against illegal content and tackling harmful conduct online; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

fighting against illegal content and tackling harmful conduct online;

| (c) | promoting a safer online environment; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

promoting a safer online environment;

| (d) | establishing a knowledge base. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

establishing a knowledge base.

The programme is a successor of the safer Internet plus programme (2005-08).

2.   In conformity with Article 3 of the European Parliament and Council Decision, a work programme (2) was drawn up by the European Commission to serve as the basis for implementing the programme in 2012. The work programme contains further information about the objectives, priorities, indicative budget and types of actions referred to in this call notice and the eligibility rules for taking part.

3.   Information on how to prepare and submit proposals and on the evaluation process is given in the Guide for proposers (3).

This documentation can be obtained, along with the work programme and any other information relating to this call, from the European Commission using the following address:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for the Information Society and Media |
| Safer Internet |
| Office EUFO 1174 |
| Rue Alcide de Gasperi |
| 2920 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |
| Fax +352 4301-34079 |
| E-mail: saferinternet@ec.europa.eu |
| Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet |

European Commission

Directorate-General for the Information Society and Media

Safer Internet

Office EUFO 1174

Rue Alcide de Gasperi

2920 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

Fax +352 4301-34079

E-mail: saferinternet@ec.europa.eu

Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet

4.   Proposals may be made for the call parts identified below. Applicants wishing to make proposals for more than one call part should make separate proposals for each part.

5.   The indicative total budget available for this call under the 2012 budget is EUR 13 422 200 of EU contribution (4).

Grants to proposals submitted in response to this call will be awarded through grant agreements.

The evaluation of proposals will give rise to a list of proposals to be funded. This list may be complemented by a reserve list of proposals of sufficient quality, to be funded in case of budget availability.

6.   The call for proposals under this work programme is open to all legal entities established in the Member States. It is also open to participation of legal entities established in EFTA States which are contracting parties to the EEA Agreement (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).

It is further open to participation of legal entities established in other countries under the conditions set out in Article 2 of the Programme Decision (5), provided that a bilateral agreement is signed. If proposals submitted by legal entities from these countries are selected for funding, a grant agreement will only be signed once the necessary steps have been taken for the country concerned to join the programme through signature of a bilateral agreement. Up to date information on which countries are part of the programme is available on the programme website at http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet

Legal entities established in non-EU countries other than those referred to above and international organisations may take part in all projects at their own expense.

Exceptionally Interpol is entitled to receive funding under Action 2.1 of this call for proposals since, in accordance with the conditions set out in Annex III to the Decision adopting the safer Internet programme, is established as priority for cooperation in the field of fighting against illegal content under the 2012 work programme.

Legal entities established in Russia may take part in Action 1.1 (Safer Internet Centres) of this call for proposals under the conditions specified in the work programme. Legal entities from Russia may also take part in targeted projects, thematic networks and knowledge enhancement projects under the same conditions as entities established in Member States (but not as project coordinators).

PART I

CALL PARTS

Action lines 1 and 2:   EUROPEAN NETWORK OF SAFER INTERNET CENTRES (6)

7.   Action 1.1: INTEGRATED NETWORK: SAFER INTERNET CENTRES

The programme promotes the set up of Safer Internet Centres all across Europe to coordinate activities and to bring together a variety of stakeholders to ensure action and facilitate transfer of knowledge.

All Safer Internet Centres will develop awareness raising material, organise campaigns and information sessions for children and young people, parents, carers, social workers and teachers to enable children and young people to make responsible use of online technologies.

The awareness actions will address issues related to harmful content, contact and conduct as defined in Section 3.1.3 of the 2012 work programme. They will also address the opportunities and risks of services using new distribution forms, such as peer-to-peer services, broadband video, instant messaging, chat-rooms, social networking sites and access to content and interactive information and communication brought about by the rapid take-up of the Internet, mobile phones and game consoles by children. They will take into account the related issues of protection of privacy and personal data, consumer protection, information, and network security (viruses/spam).

In addition, the Safer Internet Centres should also include (a) hotlines where the public can report illegal content and/or (b) helplines where parents and children can obtain advice on how to deal with harmful contact (grooming), harmful conduct (cyberbullying), harmful content and uncomfortable or scary experiences related to their use of online technologies.

The tasks of the Safer Internet Centres are set out in further detail in the work programme.

This call part (Action 1.1: INTEGRATED NETWORK: SAFER INTERNET CENTRES) will be open only for proposals for setting up a Safer Internet Centre in the following countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the netherlands, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom and Russia (7).

The call for proposals may also be opened for countries which have signed a bilateral agreement or where negotiations have been opened.

Funding at 50 % of eligible costs, which may be increased up to 75 % for public bodies, SMEs and non-profit organisations.

Action line 2:   FIGHTING AGAINST ILLEGAL CONTENT AND HARMFUL CONTACT AND CONDUCT ONLINE

8.   Action 2.1.: TARGETED PROJECT: ENHANCING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES' IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

The programme invites proposals for a single targeted project to:

| (a) | complement the existing International Child Sexual Exploitation database (on images) by setting up an international child pornography database with video images and by deploying it (area 1); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

complement the existing International Child Sexual Exploitation database (on images) by setting up an international child pornography database with video images and by deploying it (area 1);

| (b) | set up a set of search tools (for content tracking) apt for the different protocols of Peer2Peer networks and establish an international Peer2Peer database; deploy the tools by connecting EU Member States and other countries (area 2); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

set up a set of search tools (for content tracking) apt for the different protocols of Peer2Peer networks and establish an international Peer2Peer database; deploy the tools by connecting EU Member States and other countries (area 2);

| (c) | develop a pilot to test trusted hash code/fingerprint series for preventing re-uploading of identified child sexual abuse material (area 3). |
| --- | --- |

(c)

develop a pilot to test trusted hash code/fingerprint series for preventing re-uploading of identified child sexual abuse material (area 3).

Targeted projects will receive up to 50 % of eligible costs (which may be increased up to 75 % for public bodies, SMEs and non-profit organisations);

Action line 3:   PROMOTING A SAFER ONLINE ENVIRONMENT

9.   Action: 3.1.: THEMATIC NETWORK: PROMOTING POSITIVE ONLINE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Programme invites to set up a thematic network for promoting positive online experiences for young children with the following tasks:

| (a) | exchange good practices, issues and challenges in provision of content to young children, including the business model and make recommendations to enhance production and dissemination of positive content across Europe (including localisation). This activity will include a discussion forum gathering producers and providers in a dialogue on online content for children; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

exchange good practices, issues and challenges in provision of content to young children, including the business model and make recommendations to enhance production and dissemination of positive content across Europe (including localisation). This activity will include a discussion forum gathering producers and providers in a dialogue on online content for children;

| (b) | discuss feasibility and requirements of a safe browser for kids/collation of white lists including suggestions on moderation and rating of website for children. Requirements should take into account accessibility needs of disabled children. Please note that new or enhanced technical solutions in this area will not fall under this thematic network. They will be explored by a knowledge enhancement project (see Section 6.2 of the work programme); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

discuss feasibility and requirements of a safe browser for kids/collation of white lists including suggestions on moderation and rating of website for children. Requirements should take into account accessibility needs of disabled children. Please note that new or enhanced technical solutions in this area will not fall under this thematic network. They will be explored by a knowledge enhancement project (see Section 6.2 of the work programme);

| (c) | make proposals for the roll over of a European wide competition; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

make proposals for the roll over of a European wide competition;

| (d) | provide a report with overview on the market for positive content for children in Europe. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

provide a report with overview on the market for positive content for children in Europe.

Funding at 100 % of a reduced set of eligible costs (direct costs of coordinating and implementing the network) for thematic networks.

Action line 4:   ESTABLISHING A KNOWLEDGE BASE

10.1.   Action 4.1: KNOWLEDGE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE OF CONVERGENCE OF TECHNOLOGY

Proposals are invited for a knowledge enhancement project to investigate through a quantitative and qualitative methodology how the changing conditions of access and use (mobile devices) bring greater or lesser risks to children’s safety.

Knowledge enhancement projects will be funded at 100 % of direct eligible costs (as defined in the model grant agreement), but without indirect costs (overheads).

10.2.   Action 4.2: KNOWLEDGE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT: IDENTIFYING CHILD FRIENDLY SEARCH/BROWSER TOOLS

Proposals are invited for a knowledge enhancement project to identify the technical capability for being able to find content suitable for children and make it available through child-friendly search/browser tools.

Knowledge enhancement projects will be funded at 100 % of direct eligible costs (as defined in the model grant agreement), but without indirect costs (overheads).

PART 2

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the principles of transparency and equality of treatment. It will be carried out by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. Each submission will be assessed on the basis of the evaluation criteria, which are divided in three categories: eligibility criteria, award criteria, selection criteria. Only proposals meeting the requirements of the eligibility criteria shall be evaluated further. The description of these criteria is presented below.

11.   Eligibility criteria

On receipt, all proposals and applications will be subject to an eligibility check, to ensure that they conform to the requirements of the call, and to the submission procedure.

The following checks will be carried out:

| — | receipt of proposal by the Commission on or before the deadline date and time established in the call, |
| --- | --- |

—

receipt of proposal by the Commission on or before the deadline date and time established in the call,

| — | proposal completeness. Proposals which are substantially incomplete — that is to say that the forms do not include sufficient information to identify the partners, their legal status and to evaluate the scope of the proposed project — will be excluded. |
| --- | --- |

—

proposal completeness. Proposals which are substantially incomplete — that is to say that the forms do not include sufficient information to identify the partners, their legal status and to evaluate the scope of the proposed project — will be excluded.

In addition, proposers must certify that they are not in one of the situations listed in the work programme which would exclude them from participation.

12.   Award criteria

In order to evaluate the relative merit of proposals received, each means to implement the programme (integrated networks, targeted and knowledge enhancement projects, and thematic networks) will have its specific set of award criteria, with specific weightings. The description of these award criteria is presented in the safer Internet 2012 work programme.

13.   Selection criteria

Selection criteria will ensure that the applicants possess the resources to co-finance the project and the professional competencies and qualifications required to complete the work successfully.

Selection criteria are applied on the basis of the information supplied in the proposal. If this identifies cases of weak financial capacity or professional competence it may necessitate compensating actions such as financial guarantees or other actions. Successful proposals called to negotiations will be the subject of a formal legal and financial validation as a requirement to the issuing of a grant agreement.

The description of the selection criteria is presented in the safer Internet 2012 work programme.

PART 3

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS AND DEADLINE

14.   Proposals must be prepared using the forms in the Guide for proposers, and sent on paper in one (1) original and five (5) copies, accompanied by an electronic copy on CD-ROM, to the Commission at the following address:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for the Information Society and Media |
| Safer Internet |
| Office EUFO 1174 |
| Rue Alcide de Gasperi |
| 2920 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |

European Commission

Directorate-General for the Information Society and Media

Safer Internet

Office EUFO 1174

Rue Alcide de Gasperi

2920 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

15.   Deadline for receipt of all proposals: 29 March 2012 at 17.00 (Luxembourg local time).

Proposals arriving later than the deadline, or sent by fax or e-mail, will be excluded.

16.   Indicative evaluation and selection timetable: the evaluation will take place within two months from the closing date of this call. Applicants will be informed on the results of their application after the evaluation has taken place. The start date of projects will take into account already existing grant agreements, if applicable, to avoid overlapping of activities and also to ensure continuity of activities where this is relevant (8). Furthermore, in order to ensure continuity of certain activities, applicants may request a starting date for their action which can not be earlier than the submission date of their proposal. The Commission may agree to a starting date which precedes the date of the signature of the grant agreement at its own discretion when duly justified.

17.   In all correspondence relating to this call (e.g. when requesting information or submitting a proposal), please make sure to cite the applicable call part identifier.

In submitting a proposal, applicants accept the procedures and conditions as described in this call and in the documents to which it refers.

All proposals received by the European Commission will be treated in strict confidence.

The European Union pursues an equal opportunities policy and, in this context, women are particularly encouraged to either submit proposals or to be involved in their submission.

---

(1)  OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 118.

(2)  Commission Decision 2011, http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet

(3)  http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet

(4)  Under the condition that the draft budget for 2012 is adopted without modifications by the Budgetary Authority.

(5)  Decision No 1351/2008/EC of 16 December 2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council published in OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 118.

(6)  Action 1 of the Decision No 1351/2008/EC is ‘ensuring public awareness’; Action 2 is ‘fighting against illegal content and harmful contact and conduct online’.

(7)  If a Safer Internet Centre is selected for Russia the funding will be limited to 100 % of the costs of belonging to the network of Safer Internet Centres, unless Russia decides to join the programme through signature of a bilateral agreement.

(8)  For information on existing grant agreements please refer to the programme website http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/sip/index_en.htm

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/10

---

Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (1)

(Notice regarding an application for a mining claim to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the ‘Faÿ mining claim’)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 27/05

By request of 13 January 2011, société pétrolière de production et d’exploitation (SPPE), with registered offices at ZA Pense Folie, 45220 Château-Renard, France, applied for a 25-year mining claim, designated the ‘Faÿ mining claim’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 17,5 km2 covering the department of Seine-et-Marne (51).

The perimeter of the area covered by this licence consists of the meridian and parallel arcs connecting in turn the points defined below by their geographical coordinates in grads, the meridian of origin being the Paris meridian.

| Point | Longitude East | Latitude North |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A | 00,31 | 53,89 |
| B | 00,359 | 53,89 |
| C | 00,365 | 53,85 |
| D | 00,365 | 53,84 |
| E | 00,31 | 53,84 |

Point

Longitude East

Latitude North

A

00,31

53,89

B

00,359

53,89

C

00,365

53,85

D

00,365

53,84

E

00,31

53,84

Submission of applications and criteria for awarding rights

The initial applicants and competing applicants must prove that they meet the requirements for obtaining the licence, as specified in Articles 4 and 5 of Decree No 2006-648 of 2 June 2006 concerning mining rights and underground storage rights (Official Journal of the French Republic, 3 June 2006).

Interested companies may, within 90 days of the publication of this notice, submit a competing application in accordance with the procedure summarised in the ‘Notice regarding the granting of mining rights for hydrocarbons in France’ published in
  Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 of 30 December 1994, page 11, and established by Decree No 2006-648 of 2 June 2006 concerning mining rights and underground storage rights (Official Journal of the French Republic, 3 June 2006).

Competing applications must be sent to the Minister responsible for mines at the address below. Decisions on the initial application and competing applications will be taken within two years of the date on which the French authorities received the initial application, i.e. by 17 January 2014 at the latest.

Conditions and requirements regarding performance of the activity and cessation thereof

Applicants are referred to Article 79 and Article 79(1) of the French Mining Code and to Decree No 2006-649 of 2 June 2006 on mining and underground storage operations and the regulations governing mining and underground storage (Official Journal of the French Republic, 3 June 2006).

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing at the following address:

Direction générale de l'énergie et du climat, direction de l’énergie, sous-direction de la sécurité d’approvisionnement et nouveaux produits énergétiques Grande Arche de la Défense — Paroi Nord, 92055 La Défense cedex France (telephone: +33 140819529).

The abovementioned laws and regulations can be consulted on the Légifrance website: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr

---

(1)  OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 3.

---

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/12

---

Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (1)

(Notice regarding applications for exclusive licences to prospect for liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, designated the ‘Bussy-Lettrée Licence’, the ‘Arcis-sur-Aube Licence’, ‘the Vatry Licence’, ‘the Coole Licence’, ‘the Champagne Licence’, ‘the Soudé Licence’, the ‘St-Chéron Licence’, ‘the Templiers Licence’, and ‘the Camp de Mailly Licence’)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 27/06

By request of 30 June 2010, Concorde Energy, Inc., represented by Mr Marc FEUGÈRE from SP2 MARC, with registered offices at 36, rue du Dr Le Savoureux, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Bussy-Lettrée Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 202 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51). This is the initial application.

By request of 27 August 2010, Noreco Arcis-sur-Aube Sarl, represented by Ms Laure BONNA-BOUCHER and Ms Audrey GROSSET from the law firm Grand, Auzas & Assoc., with registered offices at 6, rue Paul Valéry, 75116 Paris, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Arcis-sur-Aube Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 829 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51).

By request of 26 October 2010, Vermilion REP SAS, with registered offices at B.P. 5, 40161 Parentis-en-Born, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Vatry Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 122 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51).

By request of 15 December 2010, Toreador Energy France SCS, at 9, rue Scribe, 75009 Paris, France and Hess Oil France SAS, at 27, avenue de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris, France applied jointly and severally for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Coole Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 841 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51).

By request of 17 December 2010, Basgas Energia France SAS, with registered offices at Tour Pacific — 11, cours Valmy, 92290 Paris-La Défense, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Champagne Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 1 687 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10), Marne (51) and Haute-Marne (52).

By request of 1 June 2011, Bluebach Ressources Sarl, with registered offices at 178, Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Soudé Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 911 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51).

By request of 14 June 2011, Bluebach Ressources Sarl, with registered offices at 178, Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Saint-Chéron Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 1 219 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10), Marne (51), Haute-Marne (52) and Meuse (55).

By request of 6 September 2011, Lundin International SA, with registered offices at Maclaunay, 51210 Montmirail, France, applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Templiers Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 1 066 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51).

By request of 15 September 2011, Lundin International SA, with registered offices at Maclaunay, 51210 Montmirail, France applied for an exclusive five-year licence, designated the ‘Camp de Mailly Licence’, to prospect for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in an area of approximately 699 km2 covering part of the departments of Aube (10) and Marne (51).

The perimeter of the area covered by these applications for licences consists of the meridian and parallel arcs connecting in turn the points defined below by their geographical coordinates, the meridian of origin being the Paris meridian.

| Point | Longitude grad East | Latitude grad North |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A | 02,00 | 54,30 |
| B | 02,20 | 54,30 |
| C | 02,20 | 54,20 |
| D | 02,30 | 54,20 |
| E | 02,30 | 54,10 |
| F | 02,42 | 54,10 |
| G | 02,42 | 54,08 |
| H | 02,44 | 54,08 |
| I | 02,44 | 54,07 |
| J | 02,48 | 54,07 |
| K | 02,48 | 54,10 |
| L | 02,50 | 54,10 |
| M | 02,50 | 54,20 |
| N | 02,90 | 54,20 |
| O | 02,90 | 54,19 |
| P | 02,89 | 54,19 |
| Q | 02,89 | 54,18 |
| R | 02,88 | 54,18 |
| S | 02,88 | 54,15 |
| T | 02,87 | 54,15 |
| U | 02,87 | 54,11 |
| V | 02,88 | 54,11 |
| W | 02,88 | 54,10 |
| X | 02,89 | 54,10 |
| Y | 02,89 | 54,09 |
| Z | 02,92 | 54,09 |
| AA | 02,92 | 54,08 |
| AB | 02,96 | 54,08 |
| AC | 02,96 | 54,07 |
| AD | 02,98 | 54,07 |
| AE | 02,98 | 54,06 |
| AF | 02,99 | 54,06 |
| AG | 02,99 | 54,05 |
| AH | 03,00 | 54,05 |
| AI | 03,00 | 54,00 |
| AJ | 03,10 | 54,00 |
| AK | 03,10 | 53,90 |
| AL | 02,80 | 53,90 |
| AM | 02,80 | 53,80 |
| AN | 02,50 | 53,80 |
| AO | 02,50 | 53,70 |
| AP | 01,80 | 53,70 |
| AQ | 01,80 | 53,90 |
| AR | 01,90 | 53,90 |
| AS | 01,90 | 54,00 |
| AT | 02,03 | 54,00 |
| AU | 02,03 | 53,97 |
| AV | 02,13 | 53,97 |
| AW | 02,13 | 53,98 |
| AX | 02,15 | 53,98 |
| AY | 02,15 | 54,02 |
| AZ | 02,10 | 54,02 |
| BA | 02,10 | 54,17 |
| BB | 02,12 | 54,17 |
| BC | 02,12 | 54,18 |
| BD | 02,13 | 54,18 |
| BE | 02,13 | 54,19 |
| BF | 02,14 | 54,19 |
| BG | 02,14 | 54,22 |
| BH | 02,12 | 54,22 |
| BI | 02,12 | 54,21 |
| BJ | 02,10 | 54,21 |
| BK | 02,10 | 54,27 |
| BL | 02,00 | 54,27 |

Point

Longitude grad East

Latitude grad North

A

02,00

54,30

B

02,20

54,30

C

02,20

54,20

D

02,30

54,20

E

02,30

54,10

F

02,42

54,10

G

02,42

54,08

H

02,44

54,08

I

02,44

54,07

J

02,48

54,07

K

02,48

54,10

L

02,50

54,10

M

02,50

54,20

N

02,90

54,20

O

02,90

54,19

P

02,89

54,19

Q

02,89

54,18

R

02,88

54,18

S

02,88

54,15

T

02,87

54,15

U

02,87

54,11

V

02,88

54,11

W

02,88

54,10

X

02,89

54,10

Y

02,89

54,09

Z

02,92

54,09

AA

02,92

54,08

AB

02,96

54,08

AC

02,96

54,07

AD

02,98

54,07

AE

02,98

54,06

AF

02,99

54,06

AG

02,99

54,05

AH

03,00

54,05

AI

03,00

54,00

AJ

03,10

54,00

AK

03,10

53,90

AL

02,80

53,90

AM

02,80

53,80

AN

02,50

53,80

AO

02,50

53,70

AP

01,80

53,70

AQ

01,80

53,90

AR

01,90

53,90

AS

01,90

54,00

AT

02,03

54,00

AU

02,03

53,97

AV

02,13

53,97

AW

02,13

53,98

AX

02,15

53,98

AY

02,15

54,02

AZ

02,10

54,02

BA

02,10

54,17

BB

02,12

54,17

BC

02,12

54,18

BD

02,13

54,18

BE

02,13

54,19

BF

02,14

54,19

BG

02,14

54,22

BH

02,12

54,22

BI

02,12

54,21

BJ

02,10

54,21

BK

02,10

54,27

BL

02,00

54,27

Submission of applications and criteria for awarding rights

The initial applicants and competing applicants must prove that they meet the requirements for obtaining the licence, as specified in Articles 4 and 5 of Decree 2006-648 of 2 June 2006 concerning mining rights and underground storage rights (Official Journal of the French Republic, 3 June 2006).

Interested companies may, within 90 days of the publication of this notice, submit a competing application in accordance with the procedure summarised in the ‘Notice regarding the granting of mining rights for hydrocarbons in France’ published in the
  Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 of 30 December 1994, page 11, and established by Decree 2006-648 of 2 June 2006 concerning mining rights and underground storage rights (Official Journal of the French Republic, 3 June 2006).

Competing applications must be sent to the Minister responsible for mines at the address below. Decisions on the initial application and competing applications will be taken within two years of the date on which the French authorities received the initial application, i.e. by 5 July 2012 at the latest.

The geographical coordinates of the applications can be viewed on the website of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing at: http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Les-publications-et-les.html

Conditions and requirements regarding performance of the activity and cessation thereof

Applicants are referred to Article 79 and Article 79(1) of the French Mining Code and to Decree 2006-649 of 2 June 2006 on mining and underground storage operations and the regulations governing mining and underground storage (Official Journal of the French Republic, 3 June 2006).

Further information can be obtained from the following address:

Direction générale de l'énergie et du climat, direction de l’énergie, sous-direction de la sécurité d’approvisionnement et nouveaux produits énergétiques, Grande Arche — Paroi Nord, 92055 La Défense cedex, France (telephone: +33 140819529).

The abovementioned laws and regulations can be consulted on the Légifrance website: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr

---

(1)  OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 3.

---

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/16

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6480 — PetroFina/Fina Antwerp Olefins)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 27/07

| 1. | On 25 January 2012, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which PetroFina SA (‘PetroFina’, Belgium), belonging to the Total group, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Fina Antwerp Olefins NV (‘FAO’, Belgium) by way of purchase of ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA's 35 % equity interest in FAO. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 25 January 2012, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which PetroFina SA (‘PetroFina’, Belgium), belonging to the Total group, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Fina Antwerp Olefins NV (‘FAO’, Belgium) by way of purchase of ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA's 35 % equity interest in FAO.

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






  — | for the Total group: manufactures, distributes and sells base chemicals, commodity polymers and specialty chemicals through its chemical business segment, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for the Total group: manufactures, distributes and sells base chemicals, commodity polymers and specialty chemicals through its chemical business segment,

| — | for PetroFina: distributes and sells base chemicals as well as commodity polymers produced therefrom, |
| --- | --- |

—

for PetroFina: distributes and sells base chemicals as well as commodity polymers produced therefrom,

| — | for FAO: a processing company, which owns three naphtha crackers, satellite units and logistics and which manufactures base chemicals (ethylene and propylene) and their co-products. |
| --- | --- |

—

for FAO: a processing company, which owns three naphtha crackers, satellite units and logistics and which manufactures base chemicals (ethylene and propylene) and their co-products.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

| 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.6480 — PetroFina/Fina Antwerp Olefins, 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.6480 — PetroFina/Fina Antwerp Olefins, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

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

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 1.2.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/17 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.2.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/17

---

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

2012/C 27/08

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 of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PIMIENTO DE FRESNO-BENAVENTE’

EC No: ES-PGI-0005-0705-19.06.2008

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’

2.   Member State or third country:

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.6 — | Fruit, vegetables, cereals, fresh or processed |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.6 —

Fruit, vegetables, cereals, fresh or processed

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

Fruit of the capsicum plant Capsicum annuum L. intended for fresh consumption (non-processed), selected sweet peppers of the types ‘morro de vaca’ or ‘morrón’.

The mature fruit has the following characteristics:

| | Morphological:








  — | : | shape of fruit | : | rectangular, nearly square, length greater than width, |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| — | : | minimum width | : | 10 centimetres, |
| — | : | colour of fruit | : | red, |
| — | : | shape of apex | : | deeply depressed, |
| — | : | thickness of flesh | : | more than 8 millimetres, |
| — | : | number of lobes | : | 3, 4 or 5. |

Morphological:

—

:

shape of fruit

:

rectangular, nearly square, length greater than width,

—

:

minimum width

:

10 centimetres,

—

:

colour of fruit

:

red,

—

:

shape of apex

:

deeply depressed,

—

:

thickness of flesh

:

more than 8 millimetres,

—

:

number of lobes

:

3, 4 or 5.

| | Physical/chemical:








  — | : | moisture | : | more than 90 %, |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| — | : | potassium | : | less than 3 g/100 g, |
| — | : | unit weight | : | more than 300 g. |

Physical/chemical:

—

:

moisture

:

more than 90 %,

—

:

potassium

:

less than 3 g/100 g,

—

:

unit weight

:

more than 300 g.

| | Organoleptic:
  Cutting the fruit reveals its thick red flesh. The juiciness of the fruit and softness of its skin can be readily appreciated in the mouth. It is mildly sweet, not bitter and not spicy. Little skin remains in the mouth after chewing and swallowing. |
| --- | --- |

Organoleptic:

Cutting the fruit reveals its thick red flesh. The juiciness of the fruit and softness of its skin can be readily appreciated in the mouth. It is mildly sweet, not bitter and not spicy. Little skin remains in the mouth after chewing and swallowing.

All of the fruit must comply with the FFV-28 UN-ECE Standard applicable to sweet peppers.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

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

—

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

The sweet pepper must be produced solely in the identified geographical area, since it has been shown that there are natural factors affecting the qualities of the product.

The soils of the registered parcels are composed of more than 15 % clay, less than 33 % alluvium and less than 2,1 % organic matter. The supervisory body authorises the application of soil conditioners where the amount of organic matter in the soil is less than 1 %.

Maximum planting density is 85 000 plants per hectare.

Sweet peppers cannot be grown on the same parcel in two consecutive years.

The peppers are harvested in various stages, with the fruit meeting the requisite quality standards being selected.

The peppers may not be stacked in piles greater than one metre in height.

From the time of harvest the peppers must be sheltered from the sun in cool or well-ventilated places and kept strictly away from any materials likely to contaminate them.

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

Not applicable.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

The wording or labels on packages identifying ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’ intended for consumption must include the terms ‘Indicación Geográfica Protegida’ (‘Protected Geographical Indication’) and ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’.

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

The secondary labels must include the words ‘Indicación Geográfica Protegida Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’ (‘ “Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente” Protected Geographical Indication’) and its logo. The designation's logo is:

Image

In packages of fruit intended for consumption containing more than six fresh sweet peppers a sticker with the logo on it must be affixed to each pepper.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The sweet peppers are grown in the north-west of the Autonomous Community of Castile-Leon, in 33 municipalities in the south-east of the province of León, 55 municipalities in the north of the province of Zamora and one municipality in the province of Valladolid.

This is an area of broad irrigated valleys covering 2 769 km2.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The topography of the area in which the sweet peppers are produced has been shaped by the watercourses of the rivers Esla and Tera flowing through it. The peppers are grown in the sedimentary material deposited on the floodplains of these rivers.

The area is at an average altitude of 756 metres above sea level, varying from 700 m in the south and south-east to 900 metres in the north-east.

The area's climate is fundamentally different from that of the adjacent sub-area to the west of the Esla, especially in terms of humidity and temperature.

The area is characterised by the predominance of alluvial soils composed of calcaric fluvisols. As regards texture, the soil is noteworthy for its remarkably high average sand content (55,78 %) and contains moderate amounts of alluvium (25,02 %) and clay (19,15 %).

The average pH of the soils is 7,16, and they are rich in organic matter (comprising 1,42 % of the soils on average).

It is these particular soil characteristics which give the sweet peppers certain distinctive organoleptic, physical and chemical characteristics.

Certain human factors linked to the tradition of sweet pepper cultivation in the area persist. These ensure the careful selection of the best plants and fruit for obtaining seed, identification of the best parcels of land for growing high-quality sweet peppers and the requisite experience in cultivating and care in handling the fruit.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

The ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’ is of the ‘morrón’ type, large, of a unit weight exceeding 300 grams, rectangular in shape, of length greater than width, of a minimum width of 10 cm, with flesh thicker than 8 mm and having from 3 to 5 lobes.

It is very juicy, with a soft skin. The mature fruit is red in colour. It is mildly sweet, not bitter and not spicy.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI):

The physical characteristics of the geographical area of production, linked to the characteristics of its soils, give these sweet peppers particular characteristics:

| — | in the production zone the peppers have thicker flesh, are juicier, less bitter, softer and leave fewer pieces of skin in the mouth. These qualities are related to the low levels of organic matter in the soil and the texture of the soils in the production area, |
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in the production zone the peppers have thicker flesh, are juicier, less bitter, softer and leave fewer pieces of skin in the mouth. These qualities are related to the low levels of organic matter in the soil and the texture of the soils in the production area,

| — | the link between the product and the geographical area stems from, among other things, the product's reputation, as attested to by various historical and literary sources, |
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the link between the product and the geographical area stems from, among other things, the product's reputation, as attested to by various historical and literary sources,

| — | the Historical Archives of the Province of Léon have preserved minutes of meetings of the town council of Fresno de la Vega dating from the 18th century referring to the tithes of vegetables given by the town, which included sweet peppers, |
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the Historical Archives of the Province of Léon have preserved minutes of meetings of the town council of Fresno de la Vega dating from the 18th century referring to the tithes of vegetables given by the town, which included sweet peppers,

| — | in Fray Gerundio de Campazas, written in the middle of the 18th century by a celebrated writer going by the name of Padre Isla, sweet peppers feature as the culmination of a typical banquet taking place in Campazas, a town located within the production area of the ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’, |
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in Fray Gerundio de Campazas, written in the middle of the 18th century by a celebrated writer going by the name of Padre Isla, sweet peppers feature as the culmination of a typical banquet taking place in Campazas, a town located within the production area of the ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’,

| — | in his book Comer en León — Un siglo de historia: 1700-1800 (‘Eating in Léon — A century of history: 1700-1800’), Roberto Cubillo de la Puente affirms that at the end of the 18th century sweet peppers became seasonally available on the market of Léon and were highly regarded in the town, at least by certain sectors of the population. The documentary evidence consulted shows that sweet peppers were present on the market in August, September, October and November, leading one to surmise that they originated from areas near to those in which the ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’ is produced, |
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in his book Comer en León — Un siglo de historia: 1700-1800 (‘Eating in Léon — A century of history: 1700-1800’), Roberto Cubillo de la Puente affirms that at the end of the 18th century sweet peppers became seasonally available on the market of Léon and were highly regarded in the town, at least by certain sectors of the population. The documentary evidence consulted shows that sweet peppers were present on the market in August, September, October and November, leading one to surmise that they originated from areas near to those in which the ‘Pimiento de Fresno-Benavente’ is produced,

| — | Avance estadístico de la riqueza que en España representa la producción media anual de las plantas hortícolas y plantas industriales (‘Statistical estimate of the value of the average annual production of horticultural plants and industrial crops in Spain’), published in 1914 by the Directorate-General for Agriculture, Mines and Forests of the Ministry of Development, contains a description of the province of Zamora, where the variety of sweet pepper known as the ‘morro de vaca’ is indicated as the most common, |
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Avance estadístico de la riqueza que en España representa la producción media anual de las plantas hortícolas y plantas industriales (‘Statistical estimate of the value of the average annual production of horticultural plants and industrial crops in Spain’), published in 1914 by the Directorate-General for Agriculture, Mines and Forests of the Ministry of Development, contains a description of the province of Zamora, where the variety of sweet pepper known as the ‘morro de vaca’ is indicated as the most common,

| — | the agronomic treatise El cultivo de pimientos, chiles y ajíes (‘The cultivation of sweet and chilli peppers’), published by Mundi-Prensa in 1996, states that the ‘morro de vaca’ variety may be referred to by various names depending on the locality and selection, and that the designation ‘de Fresno’ is used especially when referring to this production area, |
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the agronomic treatise El cultivo de pimientos, chiles y ajíes (‘The cultivation of sweet and chilli peppers’), published by Mundi-Prensa in 1996, states that the ‘morro de vaca’ variety may be referred to by various names depending on the locality and selection, and that the designation ‘de Fresno’ is used especially when referring to this production area,

| — | Inventario de Productos Agroalimentarios de Calidad de Castilla y León (1999/2000) (‘Inventory of high-quality agri-food products of Castile-Leon’), published by the Government of Castile-Leon, lists the ‘Pimiento morrón de Fresno de la Vega’ (produced in Fresno and other centres on the river Esla) and the ‘Pimiento de Benavente’ (with scattered production across the counties of Benavente and Los Valles); this publication also mentions that the ‘Pimiento de Benavente’‘is produced in other parts of the region, such as Fresno de la Vega’, |
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Inventario de Productos Agroalimentarios de Calidad de Castilla y León (1999/2000) (‘Inventory of high-quality agri-food products of Castile-Leon’), published by the Government of Castile-Leon, lists the ‘Pimiento morrón de Fresno de la Vega’ (produced in Fresno and other centres on the river Esla) and the ‘Pimiento de Benavente’ (with scattered production across the counties of Benavente and Los Valles); this publication also mentions that the ‘Pimiento de Benavente’‘is produced in other parts of the region, such as Fresno de la Vega’,

| — | both the ‘Pimiento morrón de Fresno de la Vega’ and ‘Pimiento de Benavente’ appear in the catalogue of fruits and vegetables of the Castile-Leon section of the European initiative ‘Culinary Heritage’ (a project partially financed by the European Commission), compiled to promote local products and traditional cuisine, |
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both the ‘Pimiento morrón de Fresno de la Vega’ and ‘Pimiento de Benavente’ appear in the catalogue of fruits and vegetables of the Castile-Leon section of the European initiative ‘Culinary Heritage’ (a project partially financed by the European Commission), compiled to promote local products and traditional cuisine,

| — | the coat of arms of Fresno de la Vega, which dates from 1984, includes a sweet pepper as one of the identifying motifs of the municipality. |
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the coat of arms of Fresno de la Vega, which dates from 1984, includes a sweet pepper as one of the identifying motifs of the municipality.

The current reputation of the sweet pepper has been reinforced by the popularity of both the Ferias del Pimiento, which are celebrated annually on the last weekend of September in Fresno de la Vega and in Benavente (and have also been incorporated into the official festival calendar of Castile-Leon), and of the Cofradía del Pimiento de Fresno (‘Association of the “Pimiento de Fresno” ’).

Reference to publication of the specification:

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

http://www.itacyl.es/opencms_wf/opencms/system/modules/es.jcyl.ita.extranet/elements/galleries/galeria_downloads/calidad/pliegos_IGP/IGP_Pimiento_Fresno-Benavente.pdf

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

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