# Official Journal C 374/2016

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 374 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5913 October 2016 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 374

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5913 October 2016

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 374/01 | Initiation of proceedings (Case M.7878 — HeidelbergCement/Schwenk/Cemex Hungary/Cemex Croatia) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 374/01

Initiation of proceedings (Case M.7878 — HeidelbergCement/Schwenk/Cemex Hungary/Cemex Croatia) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 374/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2016/C 374/03 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 3 |
| 2016/C 374/04 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 4 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 374/02

Euro exchange rates

2

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2016/C 374/03

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

3

2016/C 374/04

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

4

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 374/05 | Calls for proposals under the annual work programme for 2016 and the financing for the implementation of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector (Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6380 amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1775) | 5 |
| 2016/C 374/06 | Calls for proposals under the multiannual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020 (Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6388 amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 374/07 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 7 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2016/C 374/05

Calls for proposals under the annual work programme for 2016 and the financing for the implementation of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector (Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6380 amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1775)

5

2016/C 374/06

Calls for proposals under the multiannual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020 (Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6388 amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921)

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2016/C 374/07

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

7

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/1

---

Initiation of proceedings

(Case M.7878 — HeidelbergCement/Schwenk/Cemex Hungary/Cemex Croatia)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 374/01)

On 10 October 2016, 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 internal 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 (1).

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), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference No M.7878 — HeidelbergCement/Schwenk/Cemex Hungary/Cemex Croatia, to the following address:

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

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/2

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

12 October 2016

(2016/C 374/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1020 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 114,50 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4399 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,89990 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,7318 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0906 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,0290 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,025 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 306,05 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2974 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4970 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,4039 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4553 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4598 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,5494 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5621 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5240 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 239,66 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 15,8622 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,4029 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5120 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 359,41 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6229 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 53,557 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 68,9576 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,397 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,5256 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,8564 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 73,6100 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1020

JPY

Japanese yen

114,50

DKK

Danish krone

7,4399

GBP

Pound sterling

0,89990

SEK

Swedish krona

9,7318

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0906

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,0290

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,025

HUF

Hungarian forint

306,05

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2974

RON

Romanian leu

4,4970

TRY

Turkish lira

3,4039

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4553

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4598

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,5494

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5621

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5240

KRW

South Korean won

1 239,66

ZAR

South African rand

15,8622

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,4029

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5120

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 359,41

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6229

PHP

Philippine peso

53,557

RUB

Russian rouble

68,9576

THB

Thai baht

39,397

BRL

Brazilian real

3,5256

MXN

Mexican peso

20,8564

INR

Indian rupee

73,6100

---

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

---

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/3

---

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2016/C 374/03)

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 25 May 2016 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 78956 |
| Decision No | : | 124/16/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Region | : | Municipality of Lista or MosjØen |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | Individual aid in favour of Alcoa Norway ANS for the construction of a demonstration plant |
| Legal basis | : | The Energy Fund scheme approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority by Decision No 248/11/COL |
| Type of measure | : | Individual aid under the Energy Fund scheme, subject to a detailed assessment |
| Objective | : | Environment and innovation |
| Form of aid | : | Grant |
| Budget | : | 280 448 695 NOK |
| Intensity | : | 40,3 % |
| Duration | : | Aid will be distributed in the period 2016-2017 |
| Economic sectors | : | Primary aluminium production |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Enova SF |
| Professor Brochs gate 2 |
| N-7030 Trondheim |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

25 May 2016

Case No

:

78956

Decision No

:

124/16/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Region

:

Municipality of Lista or MosjØen

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

Individual aid in favour of Alcoa Norway ANS for the construction of a demonstration plant

Legal basis

:

The Energy Fund scheme approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority by Decision No 248/11/COL

Type of measure

:

Individual aid under the Energy Fund scheme, subject to a detailed assessment

Objective

:

Environment and innovation

Form of aid

:

Grant

Budget

:

280 448 695 NOK

Intensity

:

40,3 %

Duration

:

Aid will be distributed in the period 2016-2017

Economic sectors

:

Primary aluminium production

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Enova SF

Professor Brochs gate 2

N-7030 Trondheim

NORWAY

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

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

---

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/4

---

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2016/C 374/04)

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 25 May 2016 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 78958 |
| Decision No | : | 125/16/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Region | : | Municipality of Kristiansand |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | Individual aid in favour of Glencore Nikkelverk AS for the construction of a demonstration plant |
| Legal basis | : | The Energy Fund scheme approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority by Decision No 248/11/COL |
| Type of measure | : | Individual aid under the Energy Fund scheme, subject to a detailed assessment |
| Objective | : | Environment and innovation |
| Form of aid | : | Grant |
| Budget | : | NOK 380 000 000 |
| Intensity | : | 44,3 % |
| Duration | : | Aid will be distributed in the period 2016-2021 |
| Economic sectors | : | Copper production |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Enova SF |
| Professor Brochs gate. 2 |
| N-7030 Trondheim |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

25 May 2016

Case No

:

78958

Decision No

:

125/16/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Region

:

Municipality of Kristiansand

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

Individual aid in favour of Glencore Nikkelverk AS for the construction of a demonstration plant

Legal basis

:

The Energy Fund scheme approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority by Decision No 248/11/COL

Type of measure

:

Individual aid under the Energy Fund scheme, subject to a detailed assessment

Objective

:

Environment and innovation

Form of aid

:

Grant

Budget

:

NOK 380 000 000

Intensity

:

44,3 %

Duration

:

Aid will be distributed in the period 2016-2021

Economic sectors

:

Copper production

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Enova SF

Professor Brochs gate. 2

N-7030 Trondheim

NORWAY

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

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

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/5

---

Calls for proposals under the annual work programme for 2016 and the financing for the implementation of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector

(Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6380 (1) amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1775)

(2016/C 374/05)

The European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, is hereby launching two calls for proposals in order to award grants in accordance with the priorities and objectives defined in the annual work programme for 2016 and the financing for the implementation of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector:

| — | CEF-Transport-2016-AP-Cohesion envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 250 million |
| --- | --- |

—

CEF-Transport-2016-AP-Cohesion envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 250 million

| — | CEF-Transport-2016-AP-General envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 190 million |
| --- | --- |

—

CEF-Transport-2016-AP-General envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 190 million

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 7 February 2017.

The complete texts of the calls for proposals are available on:

https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-transport/apply-funding/2016-cef-transport-calls-proposals

---

(1)  Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6380 of 7 October 2016 amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1775 establishing an Annual Work Programme for 2016 and the financing for the implementation of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector.

---

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/6

---

Calls for proposals under the multiannual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020

(Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6388 (1) amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921)

(2016/C 374/06)

The European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, is hereby launching two calls for proposals in order to award grants in accordance with the priorities and objectives defined in the multiannual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector:

| — | CEF-Transport-2016-MAP-Cohesion envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 849,5 million, |
| --- | --- |

—

CEF-Transport-2016-MAP-Cohesion envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 849,5 million,

| — | CEF-Transport-2016-MAP-General envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 650 million. |
| --- | --- |

—

CEF-Transport-2016-MAP-General envelope, with an indicative budget of EUR 650 million.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 7 February 2017.

The complete texts of the calls for proposals are available on:

https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-transport/apply-funding/2016-cef-transport-calls-proposals

---

(1)  Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 6388 of 7 October 2016 amending Commission Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921 establishing a Multi-Annual Work Programme 2014 for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020.

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 13.10.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 374/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.10.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 374/7

---

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

(2016/C 374/07)

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘LUCQUES DU LANGUEDOC’

EU No: FR-PDO-0005-01375 – 24.9.2015

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Title

‘Lucques du Languedoc’

2.   Member State or Third Country

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

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

The ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ olive is a whole green olive that is neither damaged nor crushed. It is debittered using an alkaline solution and marketed in chilled or pasteurised brine.

The fruit and the pit have specific visual characteristics: the fruit has a green colour and an asymmetrical, crescent-like shape. The flesh is light-coloured. The pit is shaped like a moon crescent.

The skin is thin and unwrinkled. It may be slightly uneven.

The taste of ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ is characterised by:

| — | a special texture: on the basis of the sensory analysis method of the International Olive Council, the firmness is ≥ 2,5, the fibrosity ≤ 3,5 and the crunchiness ≥ 2 on a 10-point scale, |
| --- | --- |

—

a special texture: on the basis of the sensory analysis method of the International Olive Council, the firmness is ≥ 2,5, the fibrosity ≤ 3,5 and the crunchiness ≥ 2 on a 10-point scale,

| — | there is slight or no bitterness or sourness, |
| --- | --- |

—

there is slight or no bitterness or sourness,

| — | light aromas of avocado or buttered avocado and sometimes even fresh hazelnut or cut hay, |
| --- | --- |

—

light aromas of avocado or buttered avocado and sometimes even fresh hazelnut or cut hay,

| — | average saltiness. |
| --- | --- |

—

average saltiness.

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

The olives come exclusively from the Lucques variety.

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

The production, harvesting and processing of the olives must take place in the geographical area.

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

If pasteurisation is carried out, it must take place in the geographical area.

‘Lucques du Languedoc’ is a fragile product that must be handled with care: it must therefore be placed in brine and then, if applicable, pasteurised as close as possible to the place of harvest. The obligation to carry out the pasteurisation in the geographical area is based on the operators' knowledge of the product's organoleptic characteristics and their fragility. Thanks to the skills of the operators in the sector, the characteristics of the product are preserved, including after pasteurisation. Furthermore, when the pasteurisation is carried out in the geographical area, it is possible to perform the product checks rapidly and consequently limit the impact of pasteurisation on the quality of the product.

The sizes authorised may not exceed 37 fruits per 100 grams.

Batches must be of uniform size and colour.

Olives with the defects listed below may not exceed 3 % of the olives used:

| — | wrinkled fruit, |
| --- | --- |

—

wrinkled fruit,

| — | skin abnormality that does not affect the flesh, |
| --- | --- |

—

skin abnormality that does not affect the flesh,

| — | damage caused by the olive fruit fly, |
| --- | --- |

—

damage caused by the olive fruit fly,

| — | skin abnormalities caused by hail, |
| --- | --- |

—

skin abnormalities caused by hail,

| — | the presence of stems, |
| --- | --- |

—

the presence of stems,

| — | olives turning colour. |
| --- | --- |

—

olives turning colour.

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

—

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ stretches over western Aude and the eastern part of Hérault. It is composed of the municipalities of the following cantons (Official Geographic Code of the Insee of 1 January 2015):

The department of Aube:

Coursan, Narbonne-1, Narbonne-2, Narbonne-3, Sallèles-d'Aude and Fabrezan (the municipalities of Luc-sur-Orbieu and Saint-André-de-Roquelongue); Lézignan-Corbières (the municipalities of Argens-Minervois, Cruscades, Homps, Ornaisons and Tourouzelle); Rieux-Minervois (except for the municipalities of Cabrespine, Castans, Citou, Lespinassière, Limousis and Trassanel); Sigean (the municipalities of La Palme, Peyriac-de-Mer, Portel-des-Corbières, Roquefort-des-Corbières and Sigean); Trèbes (the municipalities of Badens, Blomac, Bouilhonnac, Floure, Marseillette and Trèbes); Villemoustaussou (the municipality of Malves-en-Minervois and Aniane).

The department of Hérault:

Agde, Béziers-2, Béziers-3, Cazouls-lès-Béziers, Frontignan, Lattes, Mèze, Montpellier-1, Montpellier-2, Montpellier-3, Montpellier-4, Montpellier-5, Montpellier - Castelnau-le-Lez, Pézenas, Pignan and Béziers-1 (except for the municipality of Valras-Plage); Clermont-l'Hérault (the municipalities of Aspiran, Bédarieux, Bousquet-d'Orb, Brignac, Canet, Ceyras, Clermont-l'Hérault, Lacoste, Liausson, Mérifons, Mourèze, Nébian, Octon, Paulhan, Saint-Félix-de-Lodez, Salasc, La Tour-sur-Orb, Valmascle, Villemagne-l'Argentière and Villeneuvette); Le Crès (the municipalities of Le Crès and Vendargues); Gignac (except for the municipalities of Argelliers and La Boissière); Lodève (the municipalities of Le Bosc, Brissac, Causse-de-la-Selle, Celles, Fozières, Lauroux, Lavalette, Lodève, Olmet-et-Villecun, Pégairolles-de-Buèges, Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette, Poujols, Le Puech, Saint-André-de-Buèges, Saint-Étienne-de-Gourgas, Saint-Jean-de-Buèges, Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière, Saint-Privat, Soubès, Soumont and Usclas-du-Bosc); Lunel (the municipalities of Saint-Just and Saint-Nazaire-de-Pézan); Mauguio (except for the municipalities of La Grande-Motte, Palavas-les-Flots and Valergues); Saint-Gély-du-Fesc (the municipalities of Combaillaux, Murles, Prades-le-Lez, Saint-Clément-de-Rivière, Saint-Gély-du-Fesc, Teyran, Le Triadou and Vailhauquès); Saint-Pons-de-Thomières (except for the municipalities of Boisset, Cambon-et-Salvergues, Cassagnoles, Castanet-le-Haut, Colombières-sur-Orb, Courniou, Ferrals-les-Montagnes, Ferrières-Poussarou, Fraisse-sur-Agout, Mons, Olargues, Pardailhan, Prémian, Rieussec, Riols, Rosis, Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan, Saint-Julien, Saint-Martin-de-l'Arçon, Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, Saint-Vincent-d'Olargues, Salvetat-sur-Agout, Le Soulié, Vélieux and Verreries-de-Moussans).

5.   Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

Natural factors:

The specific characteristics of the geographical area of ‘Lucques du Languedoc’, which is open to the sea in the south-east and bordered by mountains in the north, are based on:

| — | a moderate altitude and specific soils: this area, an ‘amphitheatre’ that is formed by a row of hills and opens on the Mediterranean, consists mainly of limestone, with terrain that is permeable and not very hydromorphic, which suits ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ well.
  ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ is grown at altitudes not exceeding 400 metres, usually on the south side of a moderate slope with plenty of sunshine, or possibly on the north side if the soil is very favourable to the olive tree, or even on well-exposed terraces in old groves. |
| --- | --- |

—

a moderate altitude and specific soils: this area, an ‘amphitheatre’ that is formed by a row of hills and opens on the Mediterranean, consists mainly of limestone, with terrain that is permeable and not very hydromorphic, which suits ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ well.

‘Lucques du Languedoc’ is grown at altitudes not exceeding 400 metres, usually on the south side of a moderate slope with plenty of sunshine, or possibly on the north side if the soil is very favourable to the olive tree, or even on well-exposed terraces in old groves.

| — | a Mediterranean climate: the low number of rainy days corresponds to a large amount of sunshine ranging from 2 500 to 2 900 hours of sunshine a year. The combination of these two factors, together with the presence of two winds, the Mistral, which blows from the north-east, and the Tramontane, which blows from the north-west, constitute climatic conditions that favour the pollination of the Lucques variety in the spring. It is one of the earliest-flowering varieties, and its pollination takes place during May, almost 15 days earlier than for other varieties. |
| --- | --- |

—

a Mediterranean climate: the low number of rainy days corresponds to a large amount of sunshine ranging from 2 500 to 2 900 hours of sunshine a year. The combination of these two factors, together with the presence of two winds, the Mistral, which blows from the north-east, and the Tramontane, which blows from the north-west, constitute climatic conditions that favour the pollination of the Lucques variety in the spring. It is one of the earliest-flowering varieties, and its pollination takes place during May, almost 15 days earlier than for other varieties.

Human factors:

The geographical origin of ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ is located at the outlet of the Hérault gorges. This is the historical birthplace of the Lucques variety and the canning of green olives in Languedoc.

The Lucques variety is more demanding than the other local varieties in terms of temperature (the variety does not resist cold well), wind, pollination (the tree is not self-fertile and requires external pollination).

Despite these particular cultivation conditions, the quality of the products, the commitment of the farmers to this tree and its fruit and, later, the remuneration paid for exported olives were sufficient to develop the local cultivation of the variety, although it was not possible to extend it to other regions of France.

‘Lucques du Languedoc’, which is traditionally picked when it is green, because green olives are easier to preserve than black ones, has a very fine skin that requires careful handling both during harvesting (manual) and processing (lengthy immersion in soda, shocks must be avoided when rinsing the olives and placing them in brine, using the method of reduced lactic fermentation). These highly perfected skills have been acquired over time by the canners of Languedoc and give this olive its unique character.

Specificity of the product

The ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ olive is a whole green table olive. Each olive batch is calibrated and homogeneous in size and colour.

The taste of ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ is characterised by a special texture: the olive is firm but not crunchy. It is not very fibrous. It is characterised by light aromas of avocado or buttered avocado and sometimes even fresh hazelnut or cut hay, with average saltiness.

Furthermore, ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ distinguishes itself from other olives in that it has an asymmetrical shape and its pit is shaped like a moon crescent.

Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product

In its geographical area, which features particular natural characteristics, ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ has benefited for centuries from ideal conditions that have naturally turned this product into a speciality of Languedoc.

In order for it to thrive, ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ needs specific climatic conditions, such as the Mistral and the Tramonte, which together allow the olive tree to cope successfully with the delicate and extremely short period of pollination (wind pollination lasting 2-3 days). Therefore this variety is particularly well suited to the climatic conditions of the geographical area.

These specific natural conditions, coupled with the know-how of the olive growers, confer on ‘Lucques du Languedoc’ its qualities: by trimming the trees regularly it is possible to harvest fruits of a suitable size for canning. Besides, manually harvesting the Lucques when green helps preserve the integrity of this olive, which has a fine and fragile skin. Finally, the olives are debittered with an alkaline solution according to the method of reduced lactic fermentation, with the density of the solution and the immersion time varying according to the olives used. Similarly, when placing the olives in brine, close attention must be paid to the salt concentration in order to preserve the characteristic taste of ‘Lucques du Languedoc’.

This manner of processing the olives, which has become professionalised over the years, makes it possible to obtain olives with the characteristic texture and flavours.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-6b536fcc-24f9-46c4-ac48-f03ca2b93099/telechargement

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

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