# Official Journal C 144/2011

| | ISSN 1725-2423
  doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2011.144.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 144 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5414 May 2011 |

ISSN 1725-2423

doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2011.144.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 144

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5414 May 2011

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 144/01 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2011/C 144/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6164 — Barclays Bank/EGG Credit Card Assets) (
  2
  ) | 5 |
| 2011/C 144/03 | Initiation of proceedings (Case COMP/M.6106 — Caterpillar/MWM) (
  2
  ) | 6 |
| 2011/C 144/04 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6068 — ENI/ACEGASAPS/JV) (
  2
  ) | 6 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2011/C 144/01

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

1

1

2011/C 144/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6164 — Barclays Bank/EGG Credit Card Assets) (
  2
  )

2

5

2011/C 144/03

Initiation of proceedings (Case COMP/M.6106 — Caterpillar/MWM) (
  2
  )

2

6

2011/C 144/04

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6068 — ENI/ACEGASAPS/JV) (
  2
  )

2

6

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 144/05 | Euro exchange rates | 7 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2011/C 144/06 | Binding tariff information | 8 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2011/C 144/05

Euro exchange rates

7

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2011/C 144/06

Binding tariff information

8

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 144/07 | Call for expressions of interest for the position of member of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority | 13 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 144/08 | Notice concerning the implementation of the management system of the quantitative ceiling of potassium chloride in relation to the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of potassium chloride originating in Belarus: modification of the details pertaining to the national authorities of the Member States | 25 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 144/09 | Notice published pursuant to Article 27(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in Case COMP/39.592 — EFAMA vs. S&P (
  2
  ) | 28 |
| 2011/C 144/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6139 — HUK/HDI/WGV/Aspect Online AG) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  2
  ) | 31 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 144/11 | 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 | 32 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2011/C 144/07

Call for expressions of interest for the position of member of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority

13

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2011/C 144/08

Notice concerning the implementation of the management system of the quantitative ceiling of potassium chloride in relation to the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of potassium chloride originating in Belarus: modification of the details pertaining to the national authorities of the Member States

25

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2011/C 144/09

Notice published pursuant to Article 27(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in Case COMP/39.592 — EFAMA vs. S&P (
  2
  )

2

28

2011/C 144/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6139 — HUK/HDI/WGV/Aspect Online AG) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  2
  )

2

31

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2011/C 144/11

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

32

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty |
| | (2)   Text with EEA relevance |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty

1

(2)   Text with EEA relevance

2

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

EN

---

II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/1

---

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty)

2011/C 144/01

| Date of adoption of the decision | 30.3.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 403/10 |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | — | Mixed |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Metodo ISMEA per il calcolo dell'elemento di aiuto delle garanzie |
| Legal basis | Decreto ministeriale n. 20328 del 7 settembre 2009, di attuazione dell'art. 1, comma 1074, della legge n. 296/2006 (legge finanziaria 2007) |
| Type of measure | Scheme | — |
| Objective | — |
| Form of aid | Guarantee |
| Budget | — |
| Intensity | 0 % |
| Duration (period) | Until 31.12.2013 |
| Economic sectors | Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
| Name and address of the granting authority | ISMEA — Istituto di servizi al mercato agricolo e alimentare |
| Via Cornelio Celso 6 |
| 00161 Roma RM |
| ITALIA |

Date of adoption of the decision

30.3.2011

Reference number of State Aid

N 403/10

Member State

Italy

Region

—

Mixed

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Metodo ISMEA per il calcolo dell'elemento di aiuto delle garanzie

Legal basis

Decreto ministeriale n. 20328 del 7 settembre 2009, di attuazione dell'art. 1, comma 1074, della legge n. 296/2006 (legge finanziaria 2007)

Type of measure

Scheme

—

Objective

—

Form of aid

Guarantee

Budget

—

Intensity

0 %

Duration (period)

Until 31.12.2013

Economic sectors

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Name and address of the granting authority

ISMEA — Istituto di servizi al mercato agricolo e alimentare

Via Cornelio Celso 6

00161 Roma RM

ITALIA

Other information

—

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

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 17.12.2010 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 411/10 |
| Member State | Czech Republic |
| Region | Czech Republic | Mixed |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Zmírnění škod na zemědělském majetku způsobených povodněmi v květnu a červnu roku 2010 |
| Legal basis | — | Zásady, kterými se stanovují podmínky pro poskytování dotací na zmírnění škod způsobených povodněmi v květnu a červnu roku 2010 |

Date of adoption of the decision

17.12.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 411/10

Member State

Czech Republic

Region

Czech Republic

Mixed

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Zmírnění škod na zemědělském majetku způsobených povodněmi v květnu a červnu roku 2010

Legal basis

—

Zásady, kterými se stanovují podmínky pro poskytování dotací na zmírnění škod způsobených povodněmi v květnu a červnu roku 2010

| — | Usnesení vlády č. 556/2010, k řešení odstranění škod a obnovy částí území České republiky poškozených povodněmi v květnu a v červnu 2010 |
| --- | --- |

—

Usnesení vlády č. 556/2010, k řešení odstranění škod a obnovy částí území České republiky poškozených povodněmi v květnu a v červnu 2010

| — | Zákon č. 218/2000 Sb., o rozpočtových pravidlech a o změně některý souvisejících zákonů |
| --- | --- |

—

Zákon č. 218/2000 Sb., o rozpočtových pravidlech a o změně některý souvisejících zákonů

| — | Zákon č. 252/1997 Sb., o zemědělství, ve znění zákona č. 385/2009 Sb. |
| --- | --- |

—

Zákon č. 252/1997 Sb., o zemědělství, ve znění zákona č. 385/2009 Sb.

Type of measure

Scheme

—

Objective

Compensation of damages caused by natural disaster, Sectoral development

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

| | Overall budget: CZK 100 million |
| --- | --- |

Overall budget: CZK 100 million

| | Annual budget: CZK 100 million |
| --- | --- |

Annual budget: CZK 100 million

Intensity

50 %

Duration (period)

Until 31.12.2011

Economic sectors

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Name and address of the granting authority

| Ministerstvo zemědělství České republiky |
| --- |
| Těšnov 17 |
| 117 05 Praha 1 |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |

Ministerstvo zemědělství České republiky

Těšnov 17

117 05 Praha 1

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

Other information

—

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

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 14.12.2010 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 431/10 |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | — | Mixed |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Misura 225 pagamenti per interventi silvoambientali.
  Art. 36, lett. b), punto V, e art. 47 del regolamento (CE) n. 1698/2005 |
| Legal basis | — | Misura 225 «Pagamenti per interventi silvoambientali» dei programmi di sviluppo rurale 2007-2013 [art. 36, lett. b), punto V, e art. 47 del regolamento (CE) n. 1698/2005 e successive modifiche]. |

Date of adoption of the decision

14.12.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 431/10

Member State

Italy

Region

—

Mixed

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Misura 225 pagamenti per interventi silvoambientali.

Art. 36, lett. b), punto V, e art. 47 del regolamento (CE) n. 1698/2005

Legal basis

—

Misura 225 «Pagamenti per interventi silvoambientali» dei programmi di sviluppo rurale 2007-2013 [art. 36, lett. b), punto V, e art. 47 del regolamento (CE) n. 1698/2005 e successive modifiche].

| — | regolamento (CE) n. 1974/2006 e successive modifiche |
| --- | --- |

—

regolamento (CE) n. 1974/2006 e successive modifiche

| — | risoluzione del Consiglio relativa a una strategia forestale per l'Unione europea (GU C 56 del 26.2.1999, pag. 1) |
| --- | --- |

—

risoluzione del Consiglio relativa a una strategia forestale per l'Unione europea (GU C 56 del 26.2.1999, pag. 1)

| — | comunicazione della Commissione al Consiglio e al Parlamento europeo sull'attuazione della strategia forestale dell'Unione europea COM(2005) 84 def del 10 marzo 2005 |
| --- | --- |

—

comunicazione della Commissione al Consiglio e al Parlamento europeo sull'attuazione della strategia forestale dell'Unione europea COM(2005) 84 def del 10 marzo 2005

| — | decreto ministeriale del 21 gennaio 2010, recante criteri minimi concernenti le buone pratiche forestali ai fini dell'applicazione della misura «pagamenti silvo-ambientali» |
| --- | --- |

—

decreto ministeriale del 21 gennaio 2010, recante criteri minimi concernenti le buone pratiche forestali ai fini dell'applicazione della misura «pagamenti silvo-ambientali»

| — | programma quadro nazionale per il settore forestale (PQSF) approvato in CSR il 18 dicembre 2008 |
| --- | --- |

—

programma quadro nazionale per il settore forestale (PQSF) approvato in CSR il 18 dicembre 2008

| — | decreto legislativo n. 227/2001 e successive modifiche |
| --- | --- |

—

decreto legislativo n. 227/2001 e successive modifiche

| — | decreto ministeriale 15 giugno 2005«Linee guida di programmazione forestale». |
| --- | --- |

—

decreto ministeriale 15 giugno 2005«Linee guida di programmazione forestale».

| — | leggi e regolamenti regionali e, in assenza, Prescrizioni di massima e d ... |
| --- | --- |

—

leggi e regolamenti regionali e, in assenza, Prescrizioni di massima e d ...

Type of measure

Scheme

—

Objective

Forestry

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

| | Overall budget: EUR 200 million |
| --- | --- |

Overall budget: EUR 200 million

| | Annual budget: EUR 40 million |
| --- | --- |

Annual budget: EUR 40 million

Intensity

100 %

Duration (period)

1.1.2011-31.12.2013

Economic sectors

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Name and address of the granting authority

| Ministero delle politiche agricole alimentari e forestali |
| --- |
| Via XX Settembre 20 |
| 00187 Roma RM |
| ITALIA |

Ministero delle politiche agricole alimentari e forestali

Via XX Settembre 20

00187 Roma RM

ITALIA

Other information

—

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

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 4.4.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | NN 56/10 |
| Member State | Czech Republic |
| Region | — | Mixed |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Náhrady poskytované podle § 26 zákona o lesích – Zpracování lesních hospodářských osnov |
| Legal basis | 1) | Zákon č. 289/1995 Sb., o lesích a o změně a doplnění některých zákonů (lesní zákon) – § 26 zákona |

Date of adoption of the decision

4.4.2011

Reference number of State Aid

NN 56/10

Member State

Czech Republic

Region

—

Mixed

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Náhrady poskytované podle § 26 zákona o lesích – Zpracování lesních hospodářských osnov

Legal basis

1)

Zákon č. 289/1995 Sb., o lesích a o změně a doplnění některých zákonů (lesní zákon) – § 26 zákona

| 2) | Vyhláška č. 84/1996 Sb., o lesním hospodářském plánování |
| --- | --- |

2)

Vyhláška č. 84/1996 Sb., o lesním hospodářském plánování

| 3) | Zákon č. 137/2006 Sb., o veřejných zakázkách |
| --- | --- |

3)

Zákon č. 137/2006 Sb., o veřejných zakázkách

Type of measure

Scheme

—

Objective

Forestry

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

| | Overall budget: CZK 250 million |
| --- | --- |

Overall budget: CZK 250 million

| | Annual budget: CZK 30 million |
| --- | --- |

Annual budget: CZK 30 million

Intensity

100 %

Duration (period)

1.5.2004-31.12.2013

Economic sectors

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Name and address of the granting authority

| Ministerstvo zemědělství |
| --- |
| Těšnov 17 |
| 117 05 Praha 1 |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |

Ministerstvo zemědělství

Těšnov 17

117 05 Praha 1

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

Other information

—

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

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

---

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/5

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6164 — Barclays Bank/EGG Credit Card Assets)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 144/02

On 18 April 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 32011M6164. 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 32011M6164. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

---

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/6

---

Initiation of proceedings

(Case COMP/M.6106 — Caterpillar/MWM)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 144/03

On 5 May 2011, the Commission decided to initiate proceedings in the abovementioned case after finding that the notified concentration raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market. The initiation of proceedings opens a second phase investigation with regard to the notified concentration, and is without prejudice to the final decision on the case. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.

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

In order to be fully taken into account in the procedure, observations should reach the Commission not later than 15 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301 / 22967244) or by post, under reference COMP/M.6106 — Caterpillar/MWM, to the following address:

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

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/6

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6068 — ENI/ACEGASAPS/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 144/04

On 11 April 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 32011M6068. 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 32011M6068. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/7

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

13 May 2011

2011/C 144/05

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,4280 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 115,32 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4558 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87795 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 8,9951 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,2667 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,8405 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,388 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 267,05 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7093 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,9173 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,1150 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,2592 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,3369 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3753 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 11,0978 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7997 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,7704 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 552,39 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 9,9203 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 9,2794 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3884 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 12 217,61 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,2940 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 61,670 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 39,8779 |
| THB | Thai baht | 43,168 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,3099 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,6091 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 64,0710 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,4280

JPY

Japanese yen

115,32

DKK

Danish krone

7,4558

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87795

SEK

Swedish krona

8,9951

CHF

Swiss franc

1,2667

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,8405

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,388

HUF

Hungarian forint

267,05

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7093

PLN

Polish zloty

3,9173

RON

Romanian leu

4,1150

TRY

Turkish lira

2,2592

AUD

Australian dollar

1,3369

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3753

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

11,0978

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7997

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,7704

KRW

South Korean won

1 552,39

ZAR

South African rand

9,9203

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

9,2794

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3884

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

12 217,61

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,2940

PHP

Philippine peso

61,670

RUB

Russian rouble

39,8779

THB

Thai baht

43,168

BRL

Brazilian real

2,3099

MXN

Mexican peso

16,6091

INR

Indian rupee

64,0710

---

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

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/8

---

BINDING TARIFF INFORMATION

2011/C 144/06

List of customs authorities designated by Member States for the purposes of receiving applications for, or issuing binding tariff information, adopted in accordance with Article 6(5) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 214/2007 (2).

| Member State | Customs Authority |
| --- | --- |
| AUSTRIA | Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information |
| Zentralstelle für Verbindliche Zolltarifauskünfte |
| Vordere Zollamtsstraße 5 |
| 1030 Wien |
| ÖSTERREICH |

Member State

Customs Authority

AUSTRIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

Zentralstelle für Verbindliche Zolltarifauskünfte

Vordere Zollamtsstraße 5

1030 Wien

ÖSTERREICH

BELGIUM

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Centrale administratie der douane en accijnzen |
| --- |
| Dienst Nomenclatuur (Tarief), Landbouw en Waarde |
| Cel BTI |
| North Galaxy — Gebouw A — 8ste verdieping |
| Koning Albert II-laan 33 |
| 1030 Brussel |
| BELGIË |

Centrale administratie der douane en accijnzen

Dienst Nomenclatuur (Tarief), Landbouw en Waarde

Cel BTI

North Galaxy — Gebouw A — 8ste verdieping

Koning Albert II-laan 33

1030 Brussel

BELGIË

| Administration centrale des douanes et accises |
| --- |
| Service nomenclature (Tarif), agriculture et valeur |
| Cellule RTC |
| North Galaxy Bâtiment A — 8ième étage |
| Avenue Albert II 33 |
| 1030 Bruxelles |
| BELGIQUE |

Administration centrale des douanes et accises

Service nomenclature (Tarif), agriculture et valeur

Cellule RTC

North Galaxy Bâtiment A — 8ième étage

Avenue Albert II 33

1030 Bruxelles

BELGIQUE

BULGARIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Агенция „Митници“ |
| --- |
| Централно митническо управление |
| ул. „Г. С. Раковски“ No 47 |
| 1202 София/Sofia |
| БЪПГАРИЯ/BULGARIA |

Агенция „Митници“

Централно митническо управление

ул. „Г. С. Раковски“ No 47

1202 София/Sofia

БЪПГАРИЯ/BULGARIA

CYPRUS

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Τμήμα Τελωνείων |
| --- |
| Υπουργείο Οικονομικών |
| Γωνία Μ. Καραολή και Γρ. Αυξεντίου |
| Ταχ. Διεύθυνση: Αρχιτελωνείο |
| 1440 Λευκωσία/Nicosia |
| ΚΥΠΡΟΣ/CYPRUS |

Τμήμα Τελωνείων

Υπουργείο Οικονομικών

Γωνία Μ. Καραολή και Γρ. Αυξεντίου

Ταχ. Διεύθυνση: Αρχιτελωνείο

1440 Λευκωσία/Nicosia

ΚΥΠΡΟΣ/CYPRUS

CZECH REPUBLIC

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of issuing binding tariff information

| Celní ředitelství Praha |
| --- |
| Washingtonova 7 |
| 113 54 Praha 1 |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |

Celní ředitelství Praha

Washingtonova 7

113 54 Praha 1

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications for binding tariff information

| Celní ředitelství Praha |
| --- |
| Oddělení závazných informací |
| Washingtonova 7 |
| 113 54 Praha 1 |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |

Celní ředitelství Praha

Oddělení závazných informací

Washingtonova 7

113 54 Praha 1

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

DENMARK

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Skat Århus |
| --- |
| (Told — Tariferingscentret) |
| Lyseng Allé 1 |
| 8270 Højbjerg |
| DANMARK |

Skat Århus

(Told — Tariferingscentret)

Lyseng Allé 1

8270 Højbjerg

DANMARK

(applicants with business address in Nordjylland, Midtjylland and Sydjylland-Fyn)

| Skat København |
| --- |
| Told — Tariferingscentret |
| Sluseholmen 8 B |
| 2450 København SV |
| DANMARK |

Skat København

Told — Tariferingscentret

Sluseholmen 8 B

2450 København SV

DANMARK

(other applicants)

ESTONIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Maksu- ja Tolliamet |
| --- |
| Narva mnt 9j |
| 15176 Tallinn |
| EESTI/ESTONIA |

Maksu- ja Tolliamet

Narva mnt 9j

15176 Tallinn

EESTI/ESTONIA

FINLAND

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of issuing binding tariff information

| Tullihallitus – Nimikkeistö- ja tullietuusyksikkö |
| --- |
| Erottajankatu 2 |
| PL 512 |
| FI-00101 Helsinki |
| SUOMI/FINLAND |

Tullihallitus – Nimikkeistö- ja tullietuusyksikkö

Erottajankatu 2

PL 512

FI-00101 Helsinki

SUOMI/FINLAND

| Tullstyrelsen – Enheten för nomenklatur och tullförmåner |
| --- |
| Skillnadsgatan 2 |
| PB 512 |
| FI-00101 Helsingfors |
| SUOMI/FINLAND |

Tullstyrelsen – Enheten för nomenklatur och tullförmåner

Skillnadsgatan 2

PB 512

FI-00101 Helsingfors

SUOMI/FINLAND

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications for binding tariff information

Board of Customs and all customs offices

FRANCE

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects, bureau E1 |
| --- |
| 11 rue des deux Communes |
| 93558 Montreuil Cédex |
| FRANCE |

Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects, bureau E1

11 rue des deux Communes

93558 Montreuil Cédex

FRANCE

GERMANY

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Hauptzollamt Hannover |
| --- |
| Waterloostraße 5 |
| 30169 Hannover |
| DEUTSCHLAND |

Hauptzollamt Hannover

Waterloostraße 5

30169 Hannover

DEUTSCHLAND

GREECE

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Υπουργείο Οικονομίας & Οικονομικών |
| --- |
| Γενική Γραμματεία Φορολογικών & Τελωνειακών Θεμάτων |
| Γενική Διεύθυνση Τελωνείων & Ειδικών Φόρων Κατανάλωσης |
| Διεύθυνση Δασμολογική (Δ. 17) |
| Τμήμα Α' (Δασμολογικό) |
| Ταχ. Δ/νση: Λεωφ. Αμαλίας 40 — T.K. |
| 105 58 Αθήνα/Athens |
| ΕΛΛΑΔΑ/GREECE |

Υπουργείο Οικονομίας & Οικονομικών

Γενική Γραμματεία Φορολογικών & Τελωνειακών Θεμάτων

Γενική Διεύθυνση Τελωνείων & Ειδικών Φόρων Κατανάλωσης

Διεύθυνση Δασμολογική (Δ. 17)

Τμήμα Α' (Δασμολογικό)

Ταχ. Δ/νση: Λεωφ. Αμαλίας 40 — T.K.

105 58 Αθήνα/Athens

ΕΛΛΑΔΑ/GREECE

HUNGARY

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Nemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal Szakértői Intézete |
| --- |
| Budapest |
| Hősök fasora u. 20–24. |
| 1163 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |

Nemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal Szakértői Intézete

Budapest

Hősök fasora u. 20–24.

1163

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

IRELAND

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
| --- |
| Classification Unit |
| Customs Procedures Branch |
| Government Offices |
| Nenagh |
| Co. Tipperary |
| ÉIRE |

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Classification Unit

Customs Procedures Branch

Government Offices

Nenagh

Co. Tipperary

ÉIRE

ITALY

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of issuing binding tariff information

| Agenzia delle Dogane |
| --- |
| Ufficio per la tariffa doganale, per i dazi e per i regimi dei prodotti agricoli |
| Via Mario Carucci 71 |
| 00143 Roma RM |
| ITALIA |

Agenzia delle Dogane

Ufficio per la tariffa doganale, per i dazi e per i regimi dei prodotti agricoli

Via Mario Carucci 71

00143 Roma RM

ITALIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications for binding tariff information

All customs offices

LATVIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Valsts ieņēmumu dienests |
| --- |
| Muitas pārvalde |
| 11. novembra krastmala 17 |
| Rīga, LV-1841 |
| LATVIJA |

Valsts ieņēmumu dienests

Muitas pārvalde

11. novembra krastmala 17

Rīga, LV-1841

LATVIJA

LITHUANIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Muitinės departamentas prie Lietuvos Respublikos finansų ministerijos |
| --- |
| A. Jakšto g. 1/25 |
| LT-01105 Vilnius |
| LIETUVA/LITHUANIA |

Muitinės departamentas prie Lietuvos Respublikos finansų ministerijos

A. Jakšto g. 1/25

LT-01105 Vilnius

LIETUVA/LITHUANIA

LUXEMBOURG

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Direction des douanes et accises |
| --- |
| B.P. 1605 |
| 1016 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |

Direction des douanes et accises

B.P. 1605

1016 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

MALTA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Binding Tariff Information Unit |
| --- |
| Customs Department |
| Customs House |
| Lascaris Wharf |
| Valletta |
| CMR 02 |
| MALTA |

Binding Tariff Information Unit

Customs Department

Customs House

Lascaris Wharf

Valletta

CMR 02

MALTA

NETHERLANDS

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Belastingdienst Douane |
| --- |
| Regio Rotterdam Rijnmond |
| Team Bindende Tariefinlichtingen |
| Postbus 3070 |
| 6401 DN Heerlen |
| NEDERLAND |

Belastingdienst Douane

Regio Rotterdam Rijnmond

Team Bindende Tariefinlichtingen

Postbus 3070

6401 DN Heerlen

NEDERLAND

POLAND

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Izba Celna w Warszawie |
| --- |
| ul. Erazma Ciołka 14A |
| 01-443 Warszawa |
| POLSKA/POLAND |

Izba Celna w Warszawie

ul. Erazma Ciołka 14A

01-443 Warszawa

POLSKA/POLAND

PORTUGAL

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of issuing binding tariff information

| Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas e dos Impostos Especiais sobre o Consumo |
| --- |
| Direcção de Serviços de Tributação Aduaneira |
| Rua Terreiro do Trigo |
| Edifício da Alfândega |
| 1149-060 Lisboa |
| PORTUGAL |

Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas e dos Impostos Especiais sobre o Consumo

Direcção de Serviços de Tributação Aduaneira

Rua Terreiro do Trigo

Edifício da Alfândega

1149-060 Lisboa

PORTUGAL

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications for binding tariff information

All customs offices

ROMANIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Autoritatea Națională a Vămilor |
| --- |
| Str. Matei Millo nr. 13, sector 1 |
| București |
| ROMÂNIA |

Autoritatea Națională a Vămilor

Str. Matei Millo nr. 13, sector 1

București

ROMÂNIA

SLOVAKIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Colný úrad Bratislava |
| --- |
| Oddelenie colných tarif |
| Miletičova 42 |
| 824 59 Bratislava |
| SLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIA |

Colný úrad Bratislava

Oddelenie colných tarif

Miletičova 42

824 59 Bratislava

SLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIA

SLOVENIA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Republika Slovenija |
| --- |
| Ministrstvo za finance |
| Carinska uprava Republike Slovenije |
| Generalni carinski urad |
| Šmartinska 55 |
| SI-1523 Ljubljana |
| SLOVENIJA |

Republika Slovenija

Ministrstvo za finance

Carinska uprava Republike Slovenije

Generalni carinski urad

Šmartinska 55

SI-1523 Ljubljana

SLOVENIJA

SPAIN

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of issuing binding tariff information

| Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales |
| --- |
| Avda. Llano Castellano, 17 |
| 28071 Madrid |
| ESPAÑA |

Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales

Avda. Llano Castellano, 17

28071 Madrid

ESPAÑA

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications for binding tariff information

All public administration offices

SWEDEN

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| Tullverket |
| --- |
| Box 12854 |
| SE-112 98 Stockholm |
| SVERIGE |

Tullverket

Box 12854

SE-112 98 Stockholm

SVERIGE

UNITED KINGDOM

Customs authorities designated for the purpose of receiving applications and issuing binding tariff information

| HM Revenue and Customs |
| --- |
| ECSM, Duty Liability Team |
| 10th Floor, Alexander House |
| 21 Victoria Avenue |
| Southend-on-Sea |
| Essex |
| SS99 1AA |
| UNITED KINGDOM |

HM Revenue and Customs

ECSM, Duty Liability Team

10th Floor, Alexander House

21 Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS99 1AA

UNITED KINGDOM

---

(1)  OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 62, 1.3.2007, p. 6.

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/13

---

Call for expressions of interest for the position of member of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority

2011/C 144/07

Applications are invited for the positions of 7 out of 14 members of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority established by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (1). The Authority is located in Parma, Italy.

THE EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the keystone of the European Union system of risk assessment for food and feed safety. The Authority was established to provide scientific advice and support for Union legislation and policies in all fields that may have a direct or indirect impact on food and feed safety, as well as closely associated questions in the field of animal health and welfare and plant health. It provides independent information on these matters and communicates on risks. Its mission also includes provision of scientific advice in many areas of food and feed law and whenever Union legislation so requires, including new food technologies such as GMOs. The Authority is widely recognised as the accepted point of reference by virtue of its independence, the scientific quality of its opinions and public information, the transparency of its procedures and its diligence in performing its tasks. In addition to having its own specialist personnel, the Authority is supported by networks of competent organisations in the EU.

Legal background

In accordance with Article 25 of the abovementioned Regulation, ‘the members of the Board shall be appointed in such a way as to secure the highest standards of competence, a broad range of relevant expertise and, consistent with these, the broadest possible geographic distribution within the Union’. In addition, four of the members of the Management Board ‘shall have their background in organisations representing consumers and other interests in the food chain’.

Furthermore, recital 40 of the aforementioned Regulation stipulates that ‘cooperation with Member States is also indispensable’ and recital 41 states that ‘the Management Board should be appointed in such a way as to secure the highest standard of competence, a broad range of relevant expertise, for instance in management and in public administration, and the broadest possible geographic distribution within the Union. This should be facilitated by a rotation of the different countries of origin of the members of the Management Board without any post being reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.’

Role and operation of the Management Board

The responsibilities of the Management Board include, in particular:

| — | general monitoring of the work of the Authority to ensure that it carries out its mission and performs the tasks assigned to it in accordance with its mandate and within a culture of independence and transparency, |
| --- | --- |

—

general monitoring of the work of the Authority to ensure that it carries out its mission and performs the tasks assigned to it in accordance with its mandate and within a culture of independence and transparency,

| — | the appointment of the Executive Director on the basis of a list of candidates drawn up by the Commission, and, if necessary, his or her dismissal, |
| --- | --- |

—

the appointment of the Executive Director on the basis of a list of candidates drawn up by the Commission, and, if necessary, his or her dismissal,

| — | the appointment of the members of the Scientific Committee and Panels, which are responsible for providing the scientific opinions of the Authority, |
| --- | --- |

—

the appointment of the members of the Scientific Committee and Panels, which are responsible for providing the scientific opinions of the Authority,

| — | the adoption of annual and multi-annual programmes of work of the Authority and the general report of annual activities, |
| --- | --- |

—

the adoption of annual and multi-annual programmes of work of the Authority and the general report of annual activities,

| — | the adoption of the Authority’s internal rules and financial regulation. |
| --- | --- |

—

the adoption of the Authority’s internal rules and financial regulation.

The Board operates by formal meetings, private sessions, informal contacts between members and correspondence. EFSA papers, Board correspondence and private or informal sessions are in English. Formal sessions include interpretation where members need this. The Board meets four to six times per year, predominantly in Parma but also in other EU locations where appropriate.

Composition of the Management Board

The Management Board is composed of 14 members appointed by the Council in consultation with the European Parliament, plus a representative of the Commission, as stated in Article 25(1) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (2). The term of office for seven members of the current Management Board expires on 30 June 2012, in accordance with Council Decision 2008/486/EC of 23 June 2008 (3). The term of office of the other seven members will end on 30 June 2014.

Current membership of the Board can be seen on EFSA’s website http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/mb/mbmembers.htm

This publication concerns applications for the positions of those seven members of the Management Board whose term of office expires on 30 June 2012.

Qualifications for the position

The members of the Management Board need the competence and collective expertise necessary to guide the Authority on matters relating to its mission, particularly to ensure:

| 1. | efficient delivery of scientific advice and support to meet the European Union’s needs in relation to its legislation and policies and its work in the public interest; |
| --- | --- |

1.

efficient delivery of scientific advice and support to meet the European Union’s needs in relation to its legislation and policies and its work in the public interest;

| 2. | application of sound principles of management and public administration (including human resources, legal and financial aspects); |
| --- | --- |

2.

application of sound principles of management and public administration (including human resources, legal and financial aspects);

| 3. | its functioning is guided by the principles of integrity, independence, transparency, ethical practices and high scientific quality while maintaining the indispensable cooperation with Member States and reliability with its stakeholders; |
| --- | --- |

3.

its functioning is guided by the principles of integrity, independence, transparency, ethical practices and high scientific quality while maintaining the indispensable cooperation with Member States and reliability with its stakeholders;

| 4. | effective communication and information to the public on the Authority's scientific work; |
| --- | --- |

4.

effective communication and information to the public on the Authority's scientific work;

| 5. | promotion of the necessary coherence between risk assessment, risk management and risk communication functions. |
| --- | --- |

5.

promotion of the necessary coherence between risk assessment, risk management and risk communication functions.

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they can contribute effectively to minimum one but preferably several of the areas listed above. Excellence in specific areas will be taken into account in order to ensure a well-balanced, collective expertise in the Board. Candidates must have had at least 15 years of experience in one or more of these areas, including at least 5 years at a senior level. Candidates shall have at least five years of experience gained from work in connection with food and feed safety or other areas related to the Authority’s mission, notably in the field of animal health and welfare, protection of the environment (4), plant health and nutrition. On the basis of their experience, candidates shall demonstrate their ability to operate in a multilingual, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment. Candidates will be selected on the basis of comparative merits in relation to the abovementioned criteria and, consistent with these, of the broadest possible geographic distribution within the Union.

Independence and declarations of commitment and interest

Board members will be nominated in a personal capacity. They will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests which might be considered prejudicial to their independence.

The independence of the Authority is crucial. It implies that the members of the Management Board observe the highest standard of ethical conduct. They are expected to act honestly, independently, impartially, with discretion and without regard to self-interest, and to avoid any situation liable to give rise to a personal conflict of interests. They are expected to be mindful of the importance of their duties and responsibilities, to take into account the public character of their function and to conduct themselves in a way that maintains and promotes the public's trust in the Authority.

Therefore, applicants are asked to complete a declaration of interest form and to confirm that they are willing to make a commitment to act independently of any external influence and to make an annual written declaration of interests and to declare at each meeting of the Management Board any interest which might be considered as prejudicial to their independence in relation to the items on the agenda.

Participation in the Board meetings

Members will need to make a high level of commitment to participate in the meetings of the Management Board. They are asked to confirm in the application form their availability to actively participate in the Management Board. It is estimated that the Management Board will meet four to six times per year. Members of the Board are not remunerated, but will be reimbursed for their normal travel and subsistence costs. They will also receive indemnities for each day spent at meetings in accordance with Article 12 of the Rules of Procedure of the Management Board of EFSA, which states that ‘members of the Management Board other than the Commission representative and those employed by a national public body or institution will receive a daily indemnity of EUR 385 for each meeting of the Board at which he/she is present’.

Members of the Management Board having a background in organisations representing consumers or other interests in the food chain

Candidates are asked to indicate and justify in their application if they wish to be considered as one of the four Board members having a background in organisations representing consumers or other interests in the food chain. The justification should include details of their background in organisations representing consumers or other interests in the food chain.

Appointment and term of mandate

With the exception of the Commission representative, who is appointed by the Commission, members of the Management Board are appointed by the Council, in consultation with the European Parliament, from the list drawn up by the Commission on the basis of this call for expressions of interest. The term of office shall be four years and can be renewed once. Applicants are informed that the Commission’s list of the names of shortlisted candidates will be made public and that they have the right to object to publication of their name on legitimate grounds by contacting the Commission at the address indicated in the specific privacy statement for this call (available under the ‘Protection of personal data’ section of the call). Individuals on the Commission’s list who are not appointed may be invited to constitute a reserve list to be used in the event of the need to replace members who are unable to complete their mandate.

Nationality

In this call, the Commission will seek to establish a shortlist that, consistent with appointments securing the highest standards of competence and a broad range of expertise, will enable the appointments also to meet the objective of ‘the broadest possible geographical distribution’ to be facilitated by ‘a rotation of the different countries of origin of the members’. It should be noted that members whose term of office ends on 30 June 2014 already include nationals of Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia. Outgoing members (who may reapply unless they have completed the maximum two terms of office) include nationals of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, Italy, Slovenia and United Kingdom. To date, the Board has not included nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland and Romania.

This call is open to nationals of any EU Member State. Applicants must be nationals of an EU Member State.

Equal opportunities

Great care will be taken to avoid any form of discrimination and applications from women are actively encouraged.

Application procedure and closing date

Applications shall comply with the requirements set out below; otherwise they will not be taken into consideration:

| 1. | Interested persons must complete the application form and the form on declaration of interests below, which can both also be downloaded for on-screen completion from the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers' website at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/efsa/efsa_management_board_en.htm
  After completion, the application form and the form on declaration of interests should be printed (if using the on-screen version), signed and dated. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Interested persons must complete the application form and the form on declaration of interests below, which can both also be downloaded for on-screen completion from the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers' website at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/efsa/efsa_management_board_en.htm

After completion, the application form and the form on declaration of interests should be printed (if using the on-screen version), signed and dated.

| 2. | The application must include:






  (a) | a letter of motivation (signed); |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The application must include:

(a)

a letter of motivation (signed);

| (b) | the completed application form (signed); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the completed application form (signed);

| (c) | the completed form on declaration of interests (signed); |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the completed form on declaration of interests (signed);

| (d) | a CV of minimum 1,5 pages and maximum 3 pages. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

a CV of minimum 1,5 pages and maximum 3 pages.

| 3. | The letter of motivation, the application form, the CV, and any supporting documents have to be written in an official language of the European Union. It would, however, be appreciated, without it being a requirement, if a summary of experience and other pertinent information in English could be provided in order to facilitate the selection procedure. All applications will be treated as confidential. Supporting documents must be submitted at a later stage, if requested. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The letter of motivation, the application form, the CV, and any supporting documents have to be written in an official language of the European Union. It would, however, be appreciated, without it being a requirement, if a summary of experience and other pertinent information in English could be provided in order to facilitate the selection procedure. All applications will be treated as confidential. Supporting documents must be submitted at a later stage, if requested.

| 4. | The final deadline for submission of applications is 15 July 2011. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The final deadline for submission of applications is 15 July 2011.

| 5. | The complete application must be sent:






  (a) | either by post or by courier service not later than 15 July 2011, in which case the evidence of the date of dispatch shall be constituted by the postmark or the date of the deposit slip, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Health and Consumers |
| Unit 03 |
| For the attention of Mr R. Vanhoorde (Application for the EFSA Management Board) |
| Office F-101 (Tour) 04/168 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

5.

The complete application must be sent:

(a)

either by post or by courier service not later than 15 July 2011, in which case the evidence of the date of dispatch shall be constituted by the postmark or the date of the deposit slip, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Health and Consumers

Unit 03

For the attention of Mr R. Vanhoorde (Application for the EFSA Management Board)

Office F-101 (Tour) 04/168

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

| (b) | or delivered by hand to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Health and Consumers |
| Unit 03 |
| For the attention of Mr R. Vanhoorde (Application for the EFSA Management Board) |
| Avenue du Bourget/Bourgetlaan 1-3 |
| 1140 Bruxelles/Brussel (Evere) |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

(b)

or delivered by hand to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Health and Consumers

Unit 03

For the attention of Mr R. Vanhoorde (Application for the EFSA Management Board)

Avenue du Bourget/Bourgetlaan 1-3

1140 Bruxelles/Brussel (Evere)

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

not later than 16.00 on 15 July 2011. In the case of (b), a receipt must be obtained as proof of submission, signed and dated by the official in the Commission's central mail department who took delivery. The department is open from 8.00 to 17.00 Monday to Thursday, and from 8.00 to 16.00 on Fridays. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Commission holidays.

Neither applications sent by electronic mail or fax, nor those sent directly to the European Food Safety Authority will be accepted.

| 6. | In submitting an application, applicants accept the procedures and conditions as described in this call and in the documents to which it refers. In compiling their application, applicants may under no circumstances refer to any documents of any type submitted in prior applications (example: photocopies of previous applications will not be accepted). Any misrepresentation in supplying the required information may lead to exclusion from the present call. |
| --- | --- |

6.

In submitting an application, applicants accept the procedures and conditions as described in this call and in the documents to which it refers. In compiling their application, applicants may under no circumstances refer to any documents of any type submitted in prior applications (example: photocopies of previous applications will not be accepted). Any misrepresentation in supplying the required information may lead to exclusion from the present call.

| 7. | All candidates applying to this call for expressions of interest will be informed about the outcome of the selection process. |
| --- | --- |

7.

All candidates applying to this call for expressions of interest will be informed about the outcome of the selection process.

Protection of personal data

The Commission will ensure that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1). This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data. For more detailed information on the scope, purposes and means of the processing of their personal data in the context of this call, candidates are invited to consult the specific privacy statement published on the call webpage at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/food/efsa/efsa_management_board_en.htm

Image

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---

(1)  OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 13.

(3)  OJ L 165, 26.6.2008, p. 8.

(4)  Ecology, protection of the biodiversity.

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/25 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/25

---

Notice concerning the implementation of the management system of the quantitative ceiling of potassium chloride in relation to the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of potassium chloride originating in Belarus: modification of the details pertaining to the national authorities of the Member States

2011/C 144/08

Imports of potassium chloride originating in Belarus are subject to a quantitative ceiling. The detailed rules for the management system of this ceiling are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1818/2006 (1).

The Annex I to the mentioned Regulation establishes a list of national authorities of the Member States. The Commission has been informed that the contact details of some authorities have changed as follows:

| Commission Regulation (EC) No 1818/2006 | New contact details |
| --- | --- |
| EESTI





  Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium |
| Harju 11 |
| 15072 Tallinn |
| EESTI/ESTONIA |
| Fax +372 6313660 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1818/2006

New contact details

EESTI

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium

Harju 11

15072 Tallinn

EESTI/ESTONIA

Fax +372 6313660

E-mail:

Internet:

EESTI

| Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium |
| --- |
| Harju 11 |
| 15072 Tallinn |
| EESTI/ESTONIA |
| Fax +372 6313660 |
| E-mail: info@mkm.ee |
| Internet: http://www.mkm.ee |

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium

Harju 11

15072 Tallinn

EESTI/ESTONIA

Fax +372 6313660

E-mail: info@mkm.ee

Internet: http://www.mkm.ee

ESPAÑA

| Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio |
| --- |
| Secretaría General de Comercio Exterior |
| Subdirección General de Comercio Exterior de Productos Industriales |
| Paseo de la Castellana, 162 |
| 28046 Madrid |
| ESPAÑA |
| Fax +34 913493831 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio

Secretaría General de Comercio Exterior

Subdirección General de Comercio Exterior de Productos Industriales

Paseo de la Castellana, 162

28046 Madrid

ESPAÑA

Fax +34 913493831

E-mail:

Internet:

ESPAÑA

| Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio |
| --- |
| Dirección General de Comercio e Inversiones |
| Subdirección General de Comercio Exterior de Productos Industriales |
| Paseo de la Castellana, 162 |
| 28046 Madrid |
| ESPAÑA |
| Fax +34 913493831 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio

Dirección General de Comercio e Inversiones

Subdirección General de Comercio Exterior de Productos Industriales

Paseo de la Castellana, 162

28046 Madrid

ESPAÑA

Fax +34 913493831

E-mail:

Internet:

IRELAND

| Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
| --- |
| Import/Export Licensing, Block C |
| Earlsfort Centre |
| Hatch Street |
| Dublin 2 |
| IRELAND |
| Fax +353 16312562 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: http://www.entemp.ie |

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Import/Export Licensing, Block C

Earlsfort Centre

Hatch Street

Dublin 2

IRELAND

Fax +353 16312562

E-mail:

Internet: http://www.entemp.ie

IRELAND

| Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation |
| --- |
| Import/Export Licensing |
| 23 Kildare Street |
| Dublin 2 |
| IRELAND |
| Fax +353 16312562 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: http://www.deti.ie |

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Import/Export Licensing

23 Kildare Street

Dublin 2

IRELAND

Fax +353 16312562

E-mail:

Internet: http://www.deti.ie

LATVIJA

| Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija |
| --- |
| Brīvības iela 55 |
| Rīga, LV-1519 |
| LATVIJA |
| Fax +371 7280882 |
| E-mail: licencesana@em.gov.lv |
| Internet: http://www.em.gov.lv |

Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija

Brīvības iela 55

Rīga, LV-1519

LATVIJA

Fax +371 7280882

E-mail: licencesana@em.gov.lv

Internet: http://www.em.gov.lv

LATVIJA

| Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija |
| --- |
| Brīvības iela 55 |
| Rīga, LV-1519 |
| LATVIJA |
| Fax +371 67280882 |
| E-mail: licencesana@em.gov.lv |
| Internet: http://www.em.gov.lv |

Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija

Brīvības iela 55

Rīga, LV-1519

LATVIJA

Fax +371 67280882

E-mail: licencesana@em.gov.lv

Internet: http://www.em.gov.lv

LIETUVA

| Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija |
| --- |
| Prekybos departamentas |
| Gedimino pr. 38/2 |
| LT-01104 Vilnius |
| LIETUVA/LITHUANIA |
| Fax +370 52623974 |
| E-mail: j.vaigauskiene@ukmin.lt |
| E-mail: j.gutkauskiene@ukmin.lt |
| Internet: http://www.ukmin.lt |

Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija

Prekybos departamentas

Gedimino pr. 38/2

LT-01104 Vilnius

LIETUVA/LITHUANIA

Fax +370 52623974

E-mail: j.vaigauskiene@ukmin.lt

E-mail: j.gutkauskiene@ukmin.lt

Internet: http://www.ukmin.lt

LIETUVA

| Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija |
| --- |
| Investicijų ir eksporto departamentas |
| Gedimino pr. 38/2 |
| LT-01104 Vilnius |
| LIETUVA/LITHUANIA |
| Fax +370 52623974 |
| E-mail: jurate.vaigauskiene@ukmin.lt |
| E-mail: jurgita.gutkauskiene@ukmin.lt |
| Internet: http://www.ukmin.lt |

Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija

Investicijų ir eksporto departamentas

Gedimino pr. 38/2

LT-01104 Vilnius

LIETUVA/LITHUANIA

Fax +370 52623974

E-mail: jurate.vaigauskiene@ukmin.lt

E-mail: jurgita.gutkauskiene@ukmin.lt

Internet: http://www.ukmin.lt

MAGYARORSZÁG

| Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal |
| --- |
| Budapest |
| Margit krt. 85. |
| 1024 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |
| Fax +36 13367302 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal

Budapest

Margit krt. 85.

1024

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Fax +36 13367302

E-mail:

Internet:

MAGYARORSZÁG

| Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal |
| --- |
| Budapest |
| Németvölgyi út 37–39. |
| 1124 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |
| Fax +36 14585814 |
| E-mail: mkeh@mkeh.gov.hu |
| Internet: |

Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal

Budapest

Németvölgyi út 37–39.

1124

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Fax +36 14585814

E-mail: mkeh@mkeh.gov.hu

Internet:

SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA

| Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR |
| --- |
| Odbor licencií |
| Mierová 19 |
| 827 15 Bratislava 212 |
| SLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIA |
| Fax +421 243423919 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR

Odbor licencií

Mierová 19

827 15 Bratislava 212

SLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIA

Fax +421 243423919

E-mail:

Internet:

SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA

| Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR |
| --- |
| Odbor licencií |
| Mierová 19 |
| 827 15 Bratislava 212 |
| SLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIA |
| Fax +421 243423915 / 243423919 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: http://www.economy.gov.sk |

Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR

Odbor licencií

Mierová 19

827 15 Bratislava 212

SLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIA

Fax +421 243423915 / 243423919

E-mail:

Internet: http://www.economy.gov.sk

SVERIGE

| Statens jordbruksverk |
| --- |
| SE-551 82 Jönköping |
| SVERIGE |
| Fax +46 36190546 |
| E-mail: jordbruksverket@sjv.se |
| Internet: http://www.sjv.se |

Statens jordbruksverk

SE-551 82 Jönköping

SVERIGE

Fax +46 36190546

E-mail: jordbruksverket@sjv.se

Internet: http://www.sjv.se

SVERIGE

| Statens jordbruksverk |
| --- |
| SE-551 82 Jönköping |
| SVERIGE |
| Fax +46 36190546 |
| E-mail: jordbruksverket@jordbruksverket.se |
| Internet: http://www.sjv.se |

Statens jordbruksverk

SE-551 82 Jönköping

SVERIGE

Fax +46 36190546

E-mail: jordbruksverket@jordbruksverket.se

Internet: http://www.sjv.se

ROMÂNIA

| Ministerul Economiei și Comerțului |
| --- |
| Direcția Generală Politici Comerciale |
| Str. Ion Câmpineanu nr. 16, sector 1 |
| 010036 București |
| ROMÂNIA |
| Fax +40 213150454 |
| E-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro |
| Internet: http://www.dce.gov.ro |

Ministerul Economiei și Comerțului

Direcția Generală Politici Comerciale

Str. Ion Câmpineanu nr. 16, sector 1

010036 București

ROMÂNIA

Fax +40 213150454

E-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro

Internet: http://www.dce.gov.ro

ROMÂNIA

| Ministerul Economiei, Comerțului și Mediului de Afaceri |
| --- |
| Direcția Generală Politici Comerciale |
| Str. Ion Câmpineanu nr. 16, sector 1 |
| 010036 București |
| ROMÂNIA |
| Fax +40 213150454 |
| E-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro |
| Internet: http://www.dce.gov.ro |

Ministerul Economiei, Comerțului și Mediului de Afaceri

Direcția Generală Politici Comerciale

Str. Ion Câmpineanu nr. 16, sector 1

010036 București

ROMÂNIA

Fax +40 213150454

E-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro

Internet: http://www.dce.gov.ro

PORTUGAL

| Ministrio das Finanas |
| --- |
| Direco-Geral das Alfndegas e dos Impostos |
| Especiais sobre o Consumo |
| Rua Terreiro do Trigo, Edifcio da Alfândega de Lisboa |
| 1140-060 Lisboa |
| PORTUGAL |
| Fax +351 218814261 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Ministrio das Finanas

Direco-Geral das Alfndegas e dos Impostos

Especiais sobre o Consumo

Rua Terreiro do Trigo, Edifcio da Alfândega de Lisboa

1140-060 Lisboa

PORTUGAL

Fax +351 218814261

E-mail:

Internet:

PORTUGAL

| Ministério das Finanças |
| --- |
| Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas e dos Impostos |
| Especiais sobre o Consumo |
| Rua Terreiro do Trigo, Edifício da Alfândega de Lisboa |
| 1140-060 Lisboa |
| PORTUGAL |
| Fax +351 218814261 |
| E-mail: dsl@dgaiec.min-financas.pt |
| Internet: http://www.dgaiec.min-financas.pt/pt/licenciamento/ |

Ministério das Finanças

Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas e dos Impostos

Especiais sobre o Consumo

Rua Terreiro do Trigo, Edifício da Alfândega de Lisboa

1140-060 Lisboa

PORTUGAL

Fax +351 218814261

E-mail: dsl@dgaiec.min-financas.pt

Internet: http://www.dgaiec.min-financas.pt/pt/licenciamento/

UNITED KINGDOM

| Department of Trade and Industry |
| --- |
| Import Licensing Branch |
| Queensway House — West Precinct |
| Billingham |
| TS23 2NF |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Fax +44 1642364269 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Department of Trade and Industry

Import Licensing Branch

Queensway House — West Precinct

Billingham

TS23 2NF

UNITED KINGDOM

Fax +44 1642364269

E-mail:

Internet:

UNITED KINGDOM

| Department for Business, Innovation & Skill (BIS) |
| --- |
| Import Licensing Branch |
| Queensway House — West Precinct |
| Billingham |
| TS23 2NF |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Fax +44 1642364269 |
| E-mail: |
| Internet: |

Department for Business, Innovation & Skill (BIS)

Import Licensing Branch

Queensway House — West Precinct

Billingham

TS23 2NF

UNITED KINGDOM

Fax +44 1642364269

E-mail:

Internet:

The Commission has examined the information supplied and concluded that the change of these details in no way affects the system of quantitative ceiling established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1818/2006. Therefore, the reference to the mentioned authorities in the Regulation should be read as it appears in the column ‘New contact details’.

---

(1)  OJ L 349, 12.12.2006, p. 3.

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/28 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/28

---

Notice published pursuant to Article 27(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in Case COMP/39.592 — EFAMA vs. S&P

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 144/09

1.   INTRODUCTION

| (1) | According to Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU (1), the Commission may decide — in cases where it intends to adopt a decision requiring that an infringement be brought to an end and the parties concerned offer commitments to meet the concerns expressed to them by the Commission in its preliminary assessment — to make those commitments binding on the undertakings. Such a decision may be adopted for a specified period and shall conclude that there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission. According to Article 27(4) of the same Regulation, the Commission shall publish a concise summary of the case and the main content of the commitments. Interested parties may submit their observations within the time limit fixed by the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

According to Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU (1), the Commission may decide — in cases where it intends to adopt a decision requiring that an infringement be brought to an end and the parties concerned offer commitments to meet the concerns expressed to them by the Commission in its preliminary assessment — to make those commitments binding on the undertakings. Such a decision may be adopted for a specified period and shall conclude that there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission. According to Article 27(4) of the same Regulation, the Commission shall publish a concise summary of the case and the main content of the commitments. Interested parties may submit their observations within the time limit fixed by the Commission.

2.   SUMMARY OF THE CASE

| (2) | On 13 November 2009, the Commission adopted a Statement of Objections pursuant to Article 27(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 read in conjunction with Article 10(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 (2) against Standard & Poor’s (S&P), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. of the United States. The Statement of Objections, which constitutes a preliminary assessment within the meaning of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, outlines the Commission’s preliminary view that S&P has infringed Article 102 of the TFEU and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement by setting unfairly high prices for the distribution of International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs). |
| --- | --- |

(2)

On 13 November 2009, the Commission adopted a Statement of Objections pursuant to Article 27(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 read in conjunction with Article 10(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 (2) against Standard & Poor’s (S&P), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. of the United States. The Statement of Objections, which constitutes a preliminary assessment within the meaning of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, outlines the Commission’s preliminary view that S&P has infringed Article 102 of the TFEU and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement by setting unfairly high prices for the distribution of International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs).

| (3) | ISINs are the international key identifiers for securities based on the international standard ISO 6166. They are indispensable for a number of operations such as interbank communication, clearing and settlement, custody, reporting to authorities and reference data management. ISINs are generated, allocated and made available to market participants by National Numbering Agencies (NNAs). |
| --- | --- |

(3)

ISINs are the international key identifiers for securities based on the international standard ISO 6166. They are indispensable for a number of operations such as interbank communication, clearing and settlement, custody, reporting to authorities and reference data management. ISINs are generated, allocated and made available to market participants by National Numbering Agencies (NNAs).

| (4) | In respect of US securities, S&P has been designated by the American Bankers Association as the competent NNA and as such enjoys a monopoly for the issuance and the first-hand distribution of ISINs. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In respect of US securities, S&P has been designated by the American Bankers Association as the competent NNA and as such enjoys a monopoly for the issuance and the first-hand distribution of ISINs.

| (5) | The business model of S&P in respect of the issuance and distribution of ISINs can be described as follows. An undertaking registered in the US that issues a new security may request an ISIN from S&P, so that the security can be uniquely identified on the financial markets. S&P then issues the ISIN for which it charges an issuance fee. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The business model of S&P in respect of the issuance and distribution of ISINs can be described as follows. An undertaking registered in the US that issues a new security may request an ISIN from S&P, so that the security can be uniquely identified on the financial markets. S&P then issues the ISIN for which it charges an issuance fee.

| (6) | Once ISINs are issued, they are distributed to market participants for the purposes of clearing, settlement and other functions. As regards distribution, two groups of users can be distinguished. First, S&P distributes ISINs to Information Service Providers (ISPs), i.e. financial data vendors and to some financial institutions who wish to obtain their numbers directly from S&P (direct users). Most financial institutions, however, prefer to get ISINs from ISPs together with other data rather than directly from S&P (indirect users). S&P charges both direct and indirect users a licence fee for the distribution and the use of ISINs. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Once ISINs are issued, they are distributed to market participants for the purposes of clearing, settlement and other functions. As regards distribution, two groups of users can be distinguished. First, S&P distributes ISINs to Information Service Providers (ISPs), i.e. financial data vendors and to some financial institutions who wish to obtain their numbers directly from S&P (direct users). Most financial institutions, however, prefer to get ISINs from ISPs together with other data rather than directly from S&P (indirect users). S&P charges both direct and indirect users a licence fee for the distribution and the use of ISINs.

| (7) | The Statement of Objections took the view that ISO standard 6166 was developed at the international level as a public service to the financial services industry. Under the ISO’s cost recovery principle, NNAs cannot charge for the distribution of ISINs more than necessary to recover the costs incurred in doing so provided that they are the direct supplier of ISINs. Furthermore, according to the same principle, in the absence of a direct supply, NNAs should not charge for the mere use of ISINs. In other words, charges to direct users should observe the cost recovery principle and there should be no charges to indirect users. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

The Statement of Objections took the view that ISO standard 6166 was developed at the international level as a public service to the financial services industry. Under the ISO’s cost recovery principle, NNAs cannot charge for the distribution of ISINs more than necessary to recover the costs incurred in doing so provided that they are the direct supplier of ISINs. Furthermore, according to the same principle, in the absence of a direct supply, NNAs should not charge for the mere use of ISINs. In other words, charges to direct users should observe the cost recovery principle and there should be no charges to indirect users.

| (8) | Given the specific circumstances of the case, the Statement of Objections considered that the ISO cost recovery principle provides a strong and useful indication for the assessment whether the prices charged by S&P are unfair within the meaning of Article 102 of the TFEU. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Given the specific circumstances of the case, the Statement of Objections considered that the ISO cost recovery principle provides a strong and useful indication for the assessment whether the prices charged by S&P are unfair within the meaning of Article 102 of the TFEU.

| (9) | On that basis, the Statement of Objections expressed the concern that S&P's licensing fees for US ISINs are unfair for several reasons. Firstly, S&P applies a licensing fee vis-à-vis indirect users, which is not in line with the aforementioned principles. The Commission also noted that S&P is the only NNA that charges licence fees to indirect users. Secondly, the licensing fees that S&P demands from direct users significantly exceed the costs incurred for that activity. The alleged infringement was facilitated by S&P’s practice of only selling a complete ISIN database, whereas financial institutions generally only need the ISIN number and the minimum descriptive data necessary to identify a security (the ISIN Record). |
| --- | --- |

(9)

On that basis, the Statement of Objections expressed the concern that S&P's licensing fees for US ISINs are unfair for several reasons. Firstly, S&P applies a licensing fee vis-à-vis indirect users, which is not in line with the aforementioned principles. The Commission also noted that S&P is the only NNA that charges licence fees to indirect users. Secondly, the licensing fees that S&P demands from direct users significantly exceed the costs incurred for that activity. The alleged infringement was facilitated by S&P’s practice of only selling a complete ISIN database, whereas financial institutions generally only need the ISIN number and the minimum descriptive data necessary to identify a security (the ISIN Record).

3.   THE MAIN CONTENT OF THE OFFERED COMMITMENTS

| (10) | S&P does not agree with the Commission’s preliminary assessment. It has nevertheless offered commitments pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, to meet the Commission’s competition concerns. The commitments offered by S&P are briefly summarised below. A non-confidential version of the commitments is published in full in English on the website of the Directorate-General for Competition at: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html |
| --- | --- |

(10)

S&P does not agree with the Commission’s preliminary assessment. It has nevertheless offered commitments pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, to meet the Commission’s competition concerns. The commitments offered by S&P are briefly summarised below. A non-confidential version of the commitments is published in full in English on the website of the Directorate-General for Competition at: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html

| (11) | S&P commits to abolish all charges to indirect users for the use of ISINs within the EEA. This implies, firstly, that licensing fees paid by all indirect users currently having a licensing agreement with S&P allowing them to use ISINs within the EEA will be discontinued. Secondly, S&P commits not to impose licensing fees on any indirect user not having currently a contract with S&P. Indirect users will, however, have to conclude an agreement with S&P that prohibits the extraction of CUSIPs (the equivalent of US ISINs for national use) from the ISIN data as well as the redistribution and resale of ISINs to companies other than those belonging to the same group as the user. This agreement can take the form of an on-line click-through agreement, with a view to minimising the administrative burden. ISPs will be required to incorporate these restrictions into their agreements with indirect users as well. S&P's agreements with indirect users that are Service Bureaus (i.e. entities that provide outsourced data management services) expressly stipulate that Service Bureaus must incorporate the same restrictions into their agreements with their clients. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

S&P commits to abolish all charges to indirect users for the use of ISINs within the EEA. This implies, firstly, that licensing fees paid by all indirect users currently having a licensing agreement with S&P allowing them to use ISINs within the EEA will be discontinued. Secondly, S&P commits not to impose licensing fees on any indirect user not having currently a contract with S&P. Indirect users will, however, have to conclude an agreement with S&P that prohibits the extraction of CUSIPs (the equivalent of US ISINs for national use) from the ISIN data as well as the redistribution and resale of ISINs to companies other than those belonging to the same group as the user. This agreement can take the form of an on-line click-through agreement, with a view to minimising the administrative burden. ISPs will be required to incorporate these restrictions into their agreements with indirect users as well. S&P's agreements with indirect users that are Service Bureaus (i.e. entities that provide outsourced data management services) expressly stipulate that Service Bureaus must incorporate the same restrictions into their agreements with their clients.

| (12) | In respect of direct users and ISPs, S&P commits to distribute ISIN records separately from other added value information, consisting solely of the ISIN Record, via an FTP delivery on a daily basis. The initial price of this service will be set at USD 15 000 per year, to be adjusted each year in line with inflation. Based on a review of S&P’s business processes and the allocation of costs between different activities and products, in particular between CUSIPs and ISINs, the Commission considers that this price is not excessive. The agreements with direct users contain the same restrictions as those with indirect users, namely the prohibition of the extraction of CUSIPs from ISINs and a prohibition of redistribution and resale of ISINs, except to companies belonging to the same group as the user. The agreements with ISPs also stipulate the non-extraction of CUSIPs as well as a prohibition of resale to other ISPs, with the exception of companies belonging to the same group as the ISP in question. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

In respect of direct users and ISPs, S&P commits to distribute ISIN records separately from other added value information, consisting solely of the ISIN Record, via an FTP delivery on a daily basis. The initial price of this service will be set at USD 15 000 per year, to be adjusted each year in line with inflation. Based on a review of S&P’s business processes and the allocation of costs between different activities and products, in particular between CUSIPs and ISINs, the Commission considers that this price is not excessive. The agreements with direct users contain the same restrictions as those with indirect users, namely the prohibition of the extraction of CUSIPs from ISINs and a prohibition of redistribution and resale of ISINs, except to companies belonging to the same group as the user. The agreements with ISPs also stipulate the non-extraction of CUSIPs as well as a prohibition of resale to other ISPs, with the exception of companies belonging to the same group as the ISP in question.

| (13) | The commitments will be implemented within five months from the date when the Commission’s decision based on Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 is notified to S&P. The exact date (‘implementation date’) will be communicated to the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

The commitments will be implemented within five months from the date when the Commission’s decision based on Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 is notified to S&P. The exact date (‘implementation date’) will be communicated to the Commission.

| (14) | Direct and indirect users, as well as ISPs currently in contractual relationship with S&P for the use and/or distribution of ISINs, will have, following prior notification from S&P, a right to early termination of their existing contracts with S&P, effective from the implementation date. From implementation date they will have the options of subscribing to the new ISIN Record Service, to continue with their existing contracts or to subscribe to any other product S&P offers. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Direct and indirect users, as well as ISPs currently in contractual relationship with S&P for the use and/or distribution of ISINs, will have, following prior notification from S&P, a right to early termination of their existing contracts with S&P, effective from the implementation date. From implementation date they will have the options of subscribing to the new ISIN Record Service, to continue with their existing contracts or to subscribe to any other product S&P offers.

| (15) | S&P committed to submit to the Commission a yearly confidential report on the implementation of the commitments. The commitments will have a five years’ duration, starting from the implementation date. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

S&P committed to submit to the Commission a yearly confidential report on the implementation of the commitments. The commitments will have a five years’ duration, starting from the implementation date.

4.   INVITATION TO MAKE COMMENTS

| (16) | Subject to the comments in response to this notice, the Commission intends to adopt a decision under Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 declaring the commitments summarised above and published on the Internet, on the website of the Directorate-General for Competition, to be binding. If there are substantial changes to the commitments, a new market test will be launched. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

Subject to the comments in response to this notice, the Commission intends to adopt a decision under Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 declaring the commitments summarised above and published on the Internet, on the website of the Directorate-General for Competition, to be binding. If there are substantial changes to the commitments, a new market test will be launched.

| (17) | In accordance with Article 27(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, the Commission invites interested third parties to submit their observations on the proposed commitments. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

In accordance with Article 27(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, the Commission invites interested third parties to submit their observations on the proposed commitments.

| (18) | In this context, the Commission asks interested parties to comment as well on the following questions:






  (a) | What is your opinion on the clause that prohibits the redistribution and resale of ISINs by ISPs to other ISPs? Are such exclusions usually accepted in the practice of financial data vendors? |
| --- | --- | --- |

(18)

In this context, the Commission asks interested parties to comment as well on the following questions:

(a)

What is your opinion on the clause that prohibits the redistribution and resale of ISINs by ISPs to other ISPs? Are such exclusions usually accepted in the practice of financial data vendors?

| (b) | What do you think the effects of the commitments on global ISPs will be? |
| --- | --- |

(b)

What do you think the effects of the commitments on global ISPs will be?

| (19) | Comments and answers — whether they are related to the specific questions or to any other aspect of the commitments — should, as far as possible, be substantiated with a detailed reasoning, containing the necessary facts on which comments and answers are based and, if a problem is identified, a proposal for a solution of the identified problem. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

Comments and answers — whether they are related to the specific questions or to any other aspect of the commitments — should, as far as possible, be substantiated with a detailed reasoning, containing the necessary facts on which comments and answers are based and, if a problem is identified, a proposal for a solution of the identified problem.

| (20) | These observations must reach the Commission not later than one month following the date of this publication. Interested third parties are also asked to submit a non-confidential version of their comments, in which commercial secrets and other confidential passages are deleted and are replaced as required by a non-confidential summary or by the words ‘commercial secrets’ or ‘confidential’. Legitimate requests will be respected. If no non-confidential version of the comments is sent, the Commission will be entitled to consider that the comments do not contain confidential information. The Commission also invites commenting parties to outline the reasons behind their observations. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

These observations must reach the Commission not later than one month following the date of this publication. Interested third parties are also asked to submit a non-confidential version of their comments, in which commercial secrets and other confidential passages are deleted and are replaced as required by a non-confidential summary or by the words ‘commercial secrets’ or ‘confidential’. Legitimate requests will be respected. If no non-confidential version of the comments is sent, the Commission will be entitled to consider that the comments do not contain confidential information. The Commission also invites commenting parties to outline the reasons behind their observations.

| (21) | Observations can be sent to the Commission under reference number ‘Case COMP/39.592 — EFAMA vs. S&P’ either by e-mail (COMP-GREFFE-ANTITRUST@ec.europa.eu), by fax (+32 22950128) or by post, to the following address:





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

(21)

Observations can be sent to the Commission under reference number ‘Case COMP/39.592 — EFAMA vs. S&P’ either by e-mail (COMP-GREFFE-ANTITRUST@ec.europa.eu), by fax (+32 22950128) or by post, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Antitrust Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1. With effect from 1 December 2009, Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty have become Articles 101 and, respectively, 102 of the TFEU. The two sets of provisions are in substance identical. For the purposes of this notice references to Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU should be understood as references to Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty when applicable.

(2)  OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 18.

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| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/31 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/31

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6139 — HUK/HDI/WGV/Aspect Online AG)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 144/10

| 1. | On 4 May 2011 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings HUK24 AG (Germany, controlled by HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a. G. in Coburg; ‘HUK’), HDI Direct Versicherung AG (Germany, controlled by HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie V.a.G., ‘HDI’) and WGV Holding AG (Germany, controlled by Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung a.G., ‘WGV’) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking Aspect Online AG (‘Aspect’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 4 May 2011 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings HUK24 AG (Germany, controlled by HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a. G. in Coburg; ‘HUK’), HDI Direct Versicherung AG (Germany, controlled by HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie V.a.G., ‘HDI’) and WGV Holding AG (Germany, controlled by Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung a.G., ‘WGV’) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking Aspect Online AG (‘Aspect’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for HUK: Insurance, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for HUK: Insurance,

| — | for HDI: Insurance, |
| --- | --- |

—

for HDI: Insurance,

| — | for WGV: Insurance, |
| --- | --- |

—

for WGV: Insurance,

| — | for Aspect: German internet platform for the comparison of insurance premiums, energy prices and banking fees; insurance brokerage. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Aspect: German internet platform for the comparison of insurance premiums, energy prices and banking fees; insurance brokerage.

| 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 email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6139 — HUK/HDI/WGV/Aspect Online AG, 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 email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6139 — HUK/HDI/WGV/Aspect Online AG, 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’).

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 14.5.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 144/32 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 144/32

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

2011/C 144/11

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘NEW SEASON COMBER POTATOES’/‘COMBER EARLIES’

EC No: UK-PGI-0005-0810-11.06.2010

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘New Season Comber Potatoes’/‘Comber Earlies’

2.   Member State or third country:

United Kingdom

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.6: | Fruits Vegetables and Cereals, fresh or processed. |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.6:

Fruits Vegetables and Cereals, fresh or processed.

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

New Season Comber Potato/Comber Earlies is the name given to immature potatoes of the Solanum tuberosum species in the Solanaceae family. New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies are grown from the basic seed varieties catalogued in the national registers of varieties of the Member States of the EU. They must be planted, grown and harvested in the defined area surrounding the town of Comber. The seed tubers are planted in drills from early January each year. This is much earlier than in other parts of Northern Ireland, as the warmer climate and more free draining soil in the designated area means that there is a lower risk of frost than the rest of Northern Ireland.

The plants have dark green foliage and the potatoes themselves are small in size (30-70 mm in diameter) with a round or oval shape. The skin is soft, smooth, thin and loose, with colour depending on variety, with white cream coloured flesh. The flavour is earthy, sweet and nutty, giving a distinctive ‘early’ potato flavour.

The potatoes are sold either loose by weight, or packaged in a range of weights.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

N/A

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

N/A

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

New Season Comber potatoes/Comber Earlies must be planted, grown and harvested in the designated area. The seed tubers must be planted in drills from early January each year. The tubers must be harvested between the start of May and the end of July before they are completely mature.

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

N/A

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

Each box or bag of potatoes is marked with a plant health identification number, issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland which is specific to individual farms. This means that each batch can be traced back to the farm from where it was produced.

Traditionally, the product is also known locally as ‘Comber Earlies’ and may be marketed as such. Labelling must include either the term ‘New Season Comber Potatoes’ or ‘Comber Earlies’.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The designated region is the area originally described as the Hamilton Montgomery lands centred around the town of Comber, comprising Ards Borough Council as far south as Ardkeen on the Ards peninsula and Crossgar and Killyleagh on the western side of Strangford Lough, North Down Borough Council and parts of Castlereagh, Belfast and Down District Council to the east of the road (A7) linking from Carryduff to Killyleagh via Saintfield and Crossgar.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The soil and climate of the designated area underpin the reputation of the New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies. The area is dominated by Strangford Lough, the largest inlet in the British Isles. The parent material of the soil surrounding the Lough is Triassic red sandstone and gravel. This means that the soil is lighter and free draining. This allows the soil to dry more quickly and heat faster than any other part of Northern Ireland.

Protection offered by the Ards Peninsula to the east and the Mourne Mountains to the south along with the South Eastern location mean that the climate in the designated area is both warmer and drier than other parts of Northern Ireland. Most of the region is low-lying and Strangford Lough has a powerful moderating effect on winter weather making it much milder than elsewhere in Northern Ireland. The soil is therefore warmer and drier, with the greatest amount of sunshine throughout the year (approx 1 500 hrs per annum), and so the growing season for the New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies starts before potatoes in the rest of Northern Ireland. It has the longest mean growing season of any part of Northern Ireland of more than 270 days. This climate and topography also means that there is a lower risk of frost in the designated area.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

The New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies are characterised and valued by their unique appearance and flavour. The reputation and demand for New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies is underpinned by the fact that they are the earliest potatoes available in Northern Ireland and they have a unique flavour and consistency.

They have an earthy, nutty flavour and are instantly recognisable by their soft, thin skin, which is often already peeling at the time of purchase. Due to the soft loose skin, harvesting is completed slowly to minimise damage and to maintain skin integrity. The potatoes are harvested and marketed by the producer within the same day.

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):

Recognition of the ‘New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies’ Protected Geographical Indication is justified on the grounds of its early harvesting.

New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies have a reputation of quality across Northern Ireland, particularly across Eastern counties. This reputation exists in the rural areas within and around the designated area, as well as the nearby cities of Belfast and Lisburn, where retailers and caterers will promote New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies in stores and on menus to both local residents and tourists.

The reputation and demand for New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies is underpinned by the fact that they are the earliest potatoes available and they have a unique flavour and consistency. The climate of the designated area means that the soil dries quicker reducing the risk of frost in the winter months. This means that the growing season can start before potatoes in the rest of Northern Ireland. The soil is drier and lighter than in other areas of Northern Ireland. This means that due to the climatic and topographical conditions of the specified area, the tubers can be planted and harvested earlier than anywhere else in Northern Ireland. The ability to harvest New Season Combers/Comber Earlies at such a young age means that their organoleptic properties are qualitatively different from those of mature tubers. The distinctive earthy nutty flavour and characteristic soft smooth skin have earned New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies their unique reputation across Northern Ireland and further afield.

Both early planting and early harvesting made possible in the microclimate of the Comber area contribute to the unique taste and texture of New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies. The plants grow rapidly in the warm temperatures and the tubers bulk up rapidly.

Combined with the fact that they are the earliest potatoes in Northern Ireland, such is the reputation that local retailers will report in the press when they receive their first harvest of New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies. In addition following the harvest, consumers are willing to pay a much higher price than for other available potatoes.

The history of the designated area is synonymous with potato growing and is intertwined with the history of two Ulster-Scots families, the Hamilton’s and the Montgomery’s. The early years of this settlement were recorded in ‘The Montgomery Manuscripts’ written by William Montgomery, grandson of Sir Hugh Montgomery. It includes what is believed to be the earliest literary reference to potatoes in Ireland referring to 1606:

‘Her Ladyship had also farms at Greyabbey and Coiner [Comber], as well as at Newtown, both to supply new-comers and her house; and she easily got men for plough and barn, ... for which she gave them grass and so much grain per annum, and an house and garden-plat to live on, and some land for flax and potatoes’.

It is the area of the Hamilton Lands and the Montgomery Lands, including Comber, Greyabbey and Newtownards where New Season Comber Potatoes are still grown. The historical link with the original plantation venture is evident in that there are still a number of Hamilton’s growing Comber potatoes.

The Comber area has been synonymous with growing potatoes for many centuries. The first literary reference to potatoes in Ireland (in 1606) refers to land in Comber being given over for growing potatoes. The town continues to promote itself as the home of potatoes in Northern Ireland. The town is promoted by the local council across Northern Ireland as the home of the potato in Northern Ireland with events and festivals such as ‘Spud (Potato) Fest’. Restaurants and hotels across Northern Ireland promote New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies on their menus as a regional speciality and can be served in a number of ways, the most popular being simply boiled with a helping of butter.

Reference to publication of the specification:

Reference to publication of the specification:

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

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/industry/regional/foodname/products/documents/new-season-comber-potatoes.pdf

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

1

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