# Official Journal C 59/2015

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 59 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5819 February 2015 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 59

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5819 February 2015

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 059/01 | Initiation of proceedings (Case M.7429 — Siemens/Dresser-Rand) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2015/C 059/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7495 — APAX/EVRY) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2015/C 059/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7505 — Carlyle/Warburg Pincus/DBRS) (
  1
  ) | 2 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2015/C 059/01

Initiation of proceedings (Case M.7429 — Siemens/Dresser-Rand) (
  1
  )

1

1

2015/C 059/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7495 — APAX/EVRY) (
  1
  )

1

1

2015/C 059/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7505 — Carlyle/Warburg Pincus/DBRS) (
  1
  )

1

2

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 059/04 | Euro exchange rates | 3 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2015/C 059/05 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 4 |
| 2015/C 059/06 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 5 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2015/C 059/04

Euro exchange rates

3

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2015/C 059/05

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

4

2015/C 059/06

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

5

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 059/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7483 — Abellio Transport/ScotRail) (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 059/08 | 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 |
| 2015/C 059/09 | 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 | 10 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2015/C 059/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7483 — Abellio Transport/ScotRail) (
  1
  )

1

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2015/C 059/08

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

2015/C 059/09

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

10

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/1

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Initiation of proceedings

(Case M.7429 — Siemens/Dresser-Rand)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 59/01)

On 13 February 2015, 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) or by post, under reference M.7429 — Siemens/Dresser-Rand, 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’).

---

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.7495 — APAX/EVRY)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 59/02)

On 13 February 2015, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English language 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/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32015M7495. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32015M7495. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/2

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.7505 — Carlyle/Warburg Pincus/DBRS)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 59/03)

On 16 February 2015, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English language 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/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32015M7505. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32015M7505. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/3

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Euro exchange rates (1)

18 February 2015

(2015/C 59/04)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1372 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 135,69 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4440 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,73720 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,5489 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0707 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,5480 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,583 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 307,71 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1909 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4518 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,7940 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4598 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4158 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,8229 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5147 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5475 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 267,02 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 13,2921 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,1133 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,7240 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 646,88 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,1200 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 50,372 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 70,5714 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,050 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,2195 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,9923 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 70,8500 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1372

JPY

Japanese yen

135,69

DKK

Danish krone

7,4440

GBP

Pound sterling

0,73720

SEK

Swedish krona

9,5489

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0707

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,5480

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,583

HUF

Hungarian forint

307,71

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1909

RON

Romanian leu

4,4518

TRY

Turkish lira

2,7940

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4598

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4158

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,8229

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5147

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5475

KRW

South Korean won

1 267,02

ZAR

South African rand

13,2921

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,1133

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,7240

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 646,88

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,1200

PHP

Philippine peso

50,372

RUB

Russian rouble

70,5714

THB

Thai baht

37,050

BRL

Brazilian real

3,2195

MXN

Mexican peso

16,9923

INR

Indian rupee

70,8500

---

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

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/4

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State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2015/C 59/05)

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 26 November 2014 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 75701 |
| Decision No | : | 518/14/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Title | : | Aid scheme for the development, promotion and distribution of interactive productions |
| Legal basis | : | Regulation for the support to audiovisual productions nr 1169 of 7 September 2009
  Annual state budget (Chapter 0334 regarding film and media) |
| Type of measure | : | Aid scheme |
| Objective | : | Culture |
| Form of aid | : | Direct grants |
| Budget | : | NOK 20 million annually |
| Duration | : | Until 31 December 2020 |
| Economic sectors | : | Cultural |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Norwegian Film Institute |
| P.O. Box 485 Sentrum |
| N-0105 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

26 November 2014

Case No

:

75701

Decision No

:

518/14/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Title

:

Aid scheme for the development, promotion and distribution of interactive productions

Legal basis

:

Regulation for the support to audiovisual productions nr 1169 of 7 September 2009

Annual state budget (Chapter 0334 regarding film and media)

Type of measure

:

Aid scheme

Objective

:

Culture

Form of aid

:

Direct grants

Budget

:

NOK 20 million annually

Duration

:

Until 31 December 2020

Economic sectors

:

Cultural

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Norwegian Film Institute

P.O. Box 485 Sentrum

N-0105 Oslo

NORWAY

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

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

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| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/5

---

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2015/C 59/06)

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 26 November 2014 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 76280 |
| Decision No | : | 519/14/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Title | : | Amendments to the Norwegian Special Tax System for Shipping concerning a differentiated reduction of the tonnage tax based on environmental criteria |
| Legal basis | : | Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement |
| Type of measure | : | Aid scheme |
| Objective | : | Promotion of the maritime sector |
| Form of aid | : | Tax exemption |
| Budget | : | n.a. |
| Duration | : | From the income year 2015 until re-notification |
| Economic sectors | : | Maritime transport |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Ministry of Finance |
| P.O. Box 8008 Dep, |
| N-0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

26 November 2014

Case No

:

76280

Decision No

:

519/14/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Title

:

Amendments to the Norwegian Special Tax System for Shipping concerning a differentiated reduction of the tonnage tax based on environmental criteria

Legal basis

:

Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement

Type of measure

:

Aid scheme

Objective

:

Promotion of the maritime sector

Form of aid

:

Tax exemption

Budget

:

n.a.

Duration

:

From the income year 2015 until re-notification

Economic sectors

:

Maritime transport

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Ministry of Finance

P.O. Box 8008 Dep,

N-0030 Oslo

NORWAY

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

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

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7483 — Abellio Transport/ScotRail)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 59/07)

| 1. | On 11 February 2015, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Abellio ScotRail Limited (‘Abellio ScotRail’, United Kingdom), a subsidiary of Abellio Transport Holding BV (the Netherlands) ultimately controlled by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (‘NS’, the Netherlands) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the ScotRail franchise (United Kingdom), currently operated by First ScotRail Limited, by way of public bid. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 11 February 2015, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Abellio ScotRail Limited (‘Abellio ScotRail’, United Kingdom), a subsidiary of Abellio Transport Holding BV (the Netherlands) ultimately controlled by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (‘NS’, the Netherlands) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the ScotRail franchise (United Kingdom), currently operated by First ScotRail Limited, by way of public bid.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Abellio Transport Holding: the operation of a number of passenger railway concessions or franchise contracts outside the Netherlands, in particular in the UK, Germany and Sweden,
  —   for Abellio ScotRail: the operation of the ScotRail franchise,
  —   for ScotRail franchise: the provision of passenger rail services in Scotland. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Abellio Transport Holding: the operation of a number of passenger railway concessions or franchise contracts outside the Netherlands, in particular in the UK, Germany and Sweden,

—   for Abellio ScotRail: the operation of the ScotRail franchise,

—   for ScotRail franchise: the provision of passenger rail services in Scotland.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7483 — Abellio Transport/ScotRail, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 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 M.7483 — Abellio Transport/ScotRail, to the following address:

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’).

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/7

---

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

(2015/C 59/08)

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

‘NERETVANSKA MANDARINA’

EU No: HR-PDO-0005-01225-8.5.2014

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name

‘Neretvanska mandarina’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Republic of Croatia

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Product type

Product type

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

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

Description of the product to which the name in 1 applies

‘Neretvanska mandarina’ is a fruit of the mandarin orange tree belonging to the Unshiu-Satsuma Group (Citrus unshiu‘Marcovitch’). In terms of botanical systematics, it belongs to the family Rutaceae, subfamily Aurantioideae, genus Citrus and species Citrus reticulata‘Blanco’.

Citrus unshiu

Rutaceae

Aurantioideae

Citrus reticulata

The ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ fruit is a segmented fleshy berry (hesperidium) with rind that separates easily from the pith. The edible part of the fruit is juicy, without pips, orange in colour, and divided up into segments which can be separated from each other easily. The carotenoid content of the edible part of the ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ fruit is between 15,50 and 26 mg/kg. The taste is acidulous, refreshing and with a sweet note depending on the ratio of sugar to acid in the fruit. The fruit varies from flattened to flattened round in shape. The colour of the rind changes and varies depending on the ripeness of the fruit. The rind is light green when the fruit starts to ripen, gradually changing from light yellow to gold and finally to orange when fully ripe. The fruit has a mild, well-balanced and refreshing aroma, which becomes intense only after it is damaged or peeled and its aromatic compounds are released.

The quality of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ is determined on the basis of the following parameters:

| — | fruit juice content must be at least 40 %, |
| --- | --- |

—

fruit juice content must be at least 40 %,

| — | the total acid content of the fruit must fall within the range of 0,7-1,3 %, |
| --- | --- |

—

the total acid content of the fruit must fall within the range of 0,7-1,3 %,

| — | the lowest permissible ratio of sugar to acid in the fruit of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ is 7:1 (total soluble solid/titratable acid), |
| --- | --- |

—

the lowest permissible ratio of sugar to acid in the fruit of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ is 7:1 (total soluble solid/titratable acid),

| — | the size of the ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ fruit ranges from calibre 1-XX to calibre 4. |
| --- | --- |

—

the size of the ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ fruit ranges from calibre 1-XX to calibre 4.

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

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

—

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

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

Each phase of production of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’, from the production of reproductive material to the harvesting of the mandarin, must take place within the geographical area defined under point 4.

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

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

The fruit is collected in boxes (crates) of a capacity of 30 kg, stacked on pallets and delivered to sales and distribution centres. Further processing of the fruit takes place within those centres according to the following procedure: quality and traceability control at entry, ripening of the fruit (if necessary), calibration, waxing by spraying, drying, cooling at a temperature of 5-8 °C and exit quality and traceability control at the end of the process. The maximum amount of time permitted for getting the ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ ready for market (from the time of arrival of the fruit at the sales centre to the time of dispatch) is 5 days or 120 hours.

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

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

When placing the product on the market, each product package must be clearly marked with the designation ‘Neretvanska mandarina’. In terms of size, type and colour (typography), the letters of the name should stand out more clearly than any other wording on the packaging. The words ‘Lot broj’ (‘Lot No’) also need to be clearly distinguishable on the finished product declaration. This guarantees traceability and permits a link to be established with the producer at any given time.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of the Neretva Valley in which ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ is produced is bordered to the north by Bosnia and Herzegovina and bounded to the south by the coast of the Adriatic Sea. To the south, south-east and north-west, the Neretva Valley is delineated by the Dinaric mountain chain. The area of production of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ encompasses the towns of Metković, Opuzen and Ploče and the municipalities of Slivno, Kula Norinska and Zažablje.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

The micro-climate of the area is determined by its proximity to the sea, which has the effect of mitigating the low winter and high summer temperatures. In the Neretva Valley area, the average annual temperature based on the decade 2002-2012 is 15,8 °C. The mean winter temperature is 7,25 °C. Relative humidity of the air is a bio-climatic factor of major significance. This, along with air temperature and wind, is very important for ensuring a regular transition between vegetative and generative phases in the growth of the mandarin trees. The average relative humidity (10-year average) is 69 %. The abundance of water, lakes and rivers with rugged watercourses and hand-dug open-water drainage channels are the Neretva Valley area’s main characteristics and make it unique also hydrologically. The maximum distance of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ plantations from natural sources of open water is 500 metres. The hydrological attributes of the area have resulted in a high groundwater level and elevated relative air humidity, which is particularly marked when the fruit is ripening (in September, October and November). At that time, an optimal supply of water to the plants is of crucial importance for fruit quality. In terms of soil, the Neretva Valley area is characterised by sediments of alluvial origin of markedly heterogeneous composition. In terms of texture, loamy sand and sandy clay loam predominate. Their pronounced capillarity is conducive to the growth of the mandarins.

As a result of the abovementioned natural characteristics of the area of cultivation, the ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ fruit is distinguishable by its thin, smooth rind that is easy to peel and by being seedless with segments that separate easily.

The edible part of the fruit is golden yellow in colour, which changes to orange as it ripens. This is linked to the high carotenoid content. One of the key characteristics of mandarins from the Neretva region is the high carotenoid content in the edible part of the fruit. The results of analyses carried out on samples of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ established that the concentration of carotenoids in the flesh of the fruit was above average. (V. Dragović-Uzelac et al. 2012.: Određivanje specifičnih svojstava Neretvanske mandarine (Citrus reticulata L.) zbog zaštite geografskog podrijetla (GI), Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Zagreb). In addition, the ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ fruit is distinguished by the high juice content in the edible part of the fruit, its high dry matter content and the harmonious balance of sugar and acid, which gives it its particular organoleptic characteristics: a refreshing taste and pronounced aroma. Plantation-style cultivation of mandarins in the Neretva Valley began following the completion of reclamation works there in 1961 and 1962. According to church records (of the Sv. Ilija parish office in Metković), ‘despite the great drought in the Neretva Valley in 1971, the mandarin yield is estimated to be as high as 900 tonnes’. Therefore ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ is a specific product, the particularities of which are influenced not only by interaction with the environment (climate, location and terrain), but also by a long-standing tradition of production. Geographically the Neretva Valley is one of the three most northerly citrus-growing regions in Europe. This in large part determines the structure of production, choice of cultivars and rootstock, which ultimately affect key fruit quality components. All plantings of ‘Neretvanska mandarina’ for commercial purposes are grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata rootstock. The advantages this affords, reflected directly in the quality and earliness of growth of the fruit, lead to the choice of this rootstock being considered indispensable. Apart from that, the proximity to the sea has a strong influence on daily variations in air temperature (from day to night). The fluctuations are particularly pronounced in the autumn, when the temperature of the sea can often exceed that of the surrounding air. These temperature fluctuations have a direct effect on the colour of the fruit, the amount of carotenoids in its pulp and the uniformity and earliness of maturation. A long-standing tradition of cultivation dating back more than 80 years, and the application of new know-how and technology have contributed significantly not only to the expansion of mandarin cultivation in the Neretva Valley over the last decade, but also to improvements in the quality. Despite numerous changes in agricultural technology, all of the key elements of the geographical area and traditional cultivation have been preserved. These relate above all to auxiliary technical processes (cutting, pruning of the crown, removal of wild shoots, removal of fruit from young plantings) which are still performed exclusively by hand.

Citrus reticulata

Poncirus trifoliata

Reference to publication of the product specification

Reference to publication of the product specification

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

http://www.mps.hr/UserDocsImages/HRANA/NER%20MANDARINA/Izmijenjena%20Specifikacija%20proizvoda.pdf

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

1

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| 19.2.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 59/10 |
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19.2.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 59/10

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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

(2015/C 59/09)

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

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
   (2)

‘EKSTRA DJEVIČANSKO MASLINOVO ULJE CRES’

EC No: HR-PDO-0005-01206-3.3.2014

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Name

‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Republic of Croatia

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Product type

Product type

Class 1.5 Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oils, etc.)

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

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

‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ is extra virgin olive oil obtained directly from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea, L.) solely by mechanical means. At least 90 % of the olives must come from trees of the slivnjača and/or plominka varieties, while the remaining 10 % may come from trees of other varieties.

Olea europaea,

When the oil is placed on the market, it must have the following physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics:

—   free fatty acids: max. 0,5 %

free fatty acids

—   peroxide value: max. 8 mmol O2/kg

peroxide value

2

—   K 232: max. 2,2

K 232

—   K 270: max. 0,2

K 270

—   colour: green to yellow

colour

—   scent: fruity scent of olives, plus a scent of grass in some cases

scent

—   flavour: of healthy and fresh olives plus some bitterness and sharpness, with the following values:

flavour

—   median of fruity aromas: ≥ 2

median of fruity aromas

—   median of bitterness: ≥ 2

median of bitterness

—   median of sharpness: ≥ 2

median of sharpness

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only)

Raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only)

Feed (for products of animal origin only)

—

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

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

All phases of the production of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ must take place in the geographical area described in point 4.

The olive trees must be cultivated in the traditional manner in the production area, which means that their crowns must be kept thin and airy so as to receive sufficient sunlight on all sides. The olives must be picked directly from the trees, and the harvest must be completed by 31 January at the latest.

The olives must be processed within 48 hours of harvesting.

The oil must be stored in hermetically sealed containers at a temperature of between 12 °C and 20 °C.

Before the oil is bottled, all necessary analyses must be carried out in order to establish whether it has all the characteristics specified in point 3.2.

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

Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ must be placed in its sales packaging in the geographical area of production defined in point 4. This ensures the preservation of the oil’s specific characteristics and quality, which could be impaired if the oil were transferred from one container to another several times or were transported over a great distance.

The packaging of the oil in its area of production also guarantees the product’s traceability and means that this can be checked far more easily.

The product may be bottled in containers of a volume of up to 1 litre.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling

Specific rules concerning labelling

It is permissible to use names, business names and private stamps, unless they are likely to mislead consumers.

The product name (‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’) must be clearly distinguishable by the size, type and colour of the letters (typography) from any other inscription, including the producer’s trade mark, images and inscriptions. The size of the producer’s inscription may not exceed 70 % of the size of the designation of origin in point 1.

The label may not include terms other than those set out in the specification. Adjectives such as ‘top-quality’, ‘genuine’, ‘traditional’, ‘typical’, ‘indigenous’, ‘home-made’, etc., and terms that refer to toponyms on the island of Cres, may not be used.

It is permissible to use the names of agricultural holdings or of family farms (‘stancija’), etc. and their specific locations or to refer to bottling on the holding or at an association of holdings located in the area of production only if the product is produced exclusively from olives harvested in olive groves on the agricultural holding in question.

The packaging must also be labelled with the year (season) of the harvest.

Each package that is placed on the market must bear the special adhesive stamp used to label ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’, in addition to the markings mentioned above. The stamp must contain the common symbol ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ and the serial number of the packaging, thereby guaranteeing the product’s traceability and origin for consumers. The design of the common symbol is shown below.

All users of the designation of origin who place the product on the market in accordance with its specification have the right to use the stamp, under the same conditions.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Concise definition of the geographical area

The production and processing of olives and the storage and bottling of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ are confined to the island of Cres. The coastline of the island of Cres marks the limit of the geographical area of production.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

The island of Cres is composed of Cretaceous limestone and dolomite with very limited zones of Palaeogene limestone and traces of flysch. The most common soils to have developed on that geological substrate are of the Terra Rossa type, namely the brown soil typical of the littoral region and sandy dolomitic soil.

Dolomitic soil is the most frequent in the centre of the island, where the largest areas used for olive groves are located. As a result of the lack of flat arable land in the karstic valleys, in the past farmers used the shallow soil on the calcareous and dolomitic slopes where they prepared arable land by removing stones and piling them up in long heaps down the slopes. With the spread of olive growing, many horizontal dry stone walls were built over time, terracing the slopes, in order to create and protect the light arable soils, and to prevent soil from being washed away from the more or less steep slopes. The soil of the terraces is largely anthropomorphic and usually shallow with fairly prominent bedrock, and is therefore prone to drying out.

The climate of the island of Cres is primarily determined by the island’s location in the region of Kvarner, the direction in which it stretches and its topography. This results in frequent influxes of cold air masses in the winter and convectional rainfall in the summer, which means that the island does not have a markedly dry period of weather typical of the Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperature varies between 13,0 °C and 15,2 °C, and average annual precipitation is approximately 1 100 mm, which is spread evenly across the year. The island of Cres is located on the 45th parallel north, so in geographical and climatic terms the production area of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ is at the very northern limit of olive-growing.

Olives have been grown on the island of Cres since time immemorial — the first documentary proof dates back to 1441 (N. Lemessi, 1979, Note storiche, geografiche, artistiche sull’isola di Cherso, vol. I, p. 46).

The importance of olive-growing is shown by the fact that there were seven oil mills on the island of Cres in 1698 (fra J. Vlahović, 1995, Odlomci iz povijesti grada Cresa, Zagreb, p. 104), 11 in 1795 (fra J. Vlahović, 1995, Odlomci iz povijesti grada Cresa, Zagreb, p. 107) and 24 in 1853 (N. Lemessi, 1979, Note storiche, geografiche, artistiche sull’isola di Cherso, Roma, vol. IV, p. 358). The first oil mill with a centrifugal extractor on the eastern Adriatic coast was installed precisely in Cres in 1975.

The increase in the number of oil mills led to an increase in the quantity and quality of oil produced. In 1771 Alberto Fortis mentioned that oil was the main product produced on the island of Cres and that it was the best that was produced in the Republic of Venice in that period (Alberto Fortis, 1771, Saggio d’osservazioni sopra l’isola di Cherso ed Osero, Venezia, pp. 59 and 60). Many written sources state that surplus oil from Cres was sold in the Kvarner area in the middle and at the end of the 19th century (Eco del Litorale Ungarico, 1843, Fiume, No 1, p. 4; No 7, p. 4; Giambattista Cubich, 1874, Notizie naturali e storiche sull’isola di Veglia, Trieste, p. 149; Dragutin Hirc, 1891, Hrvatsko primorje, Zagreb, pp. 155 and 301; Pučki Prijatelj, 1912, Pazin, XIII, No 36, p. 291).

Today, the majority of families on the island cultivate olives, which makes olive-growing the only sector of agriculture with real economic importance for the island. Given the extremely difficult pedological and orographic conditions for agriculture, the way of cultivating olives has changed little over time and remains mostly extensive even today. The particular characteristic of olive-growing on the island of Cres is the grazing of sheep in olive groves. As it is impossible to implement appropriate agricultural techniques, it is the sheep that prevent the land from becoming overgrown and help the soil preserve its moisture.

The centuries-old tradition of olive-growing has enabled the olive growers of Cres over time to select an indigenous variety known as slivnjača, which has fully adapted to the difficult growing conditions by withstanding the cold and the shallow soil, which barely retains water. The local variety plominka is traditionally planted on deeper soils. The assortment of olives has not changed over the past two centuries, since olive growers have mostly planted the indigenous variety slivnjača, which today accounts for some 80 % of trees on the island.

With continuous efforts by Cres’s olive growers to produce top-quality oils, the past few decades have seen improvements in techniques and expertise in the harvesting and processing of olives. Harvesting occurs during the very early stages of the ripening of the olives, which are processed within 48 hours of harvesting, using state-of-the-art oil-production techniques.

5.2.   Specificity of the product

Specificity of the product

The organoleptic characteristics of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ are a slightly or moderately pronounced sharpness and bitterness, and occasionally a scent of grass. As a rule, the median of sharpness and bitterness is greater than 2. The note of bitterness is sometimes even more pronounced, so the oil is not always balanced in organoleptic terms. Sharpness and bitterness are positive characteristics for olive oil and result from the high content of polyphenols, which also have antioxidant properties, protecting the oil from deteriorating through oxidation.

The predominant use of one indigenous variety (slivnjača) and one local variety (plominka) of olive tree gives the oil its specific lipid fraction, particularly its lower proportion of campesterol and stigmasterol. One of the specific characteristics of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ is its low proportion of free fatty acids and its low peroxide value (O. Boschelle, A. Rogić, D. Kocijančić, L. S. Conte, 1995, Određivanje sastava lipidne frakcije dviju sorti maslina s otoka Cresa, u odnosu na proces sazrijevanja, Pomologia Croatica, Vol. 1, Nos 3-4, p. 16).

As a rule, ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ has an oleic acid content higher than 72 %.

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)

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

The specificity of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ is determined by the specific pedoclimatic conditions of the island of Cres, as well as direct and indirect human intervention.

The conditions for olive-growing on the island of Cres are difficult, primarily due to its very shallow soils with fairly prominent bedrock and its border climate. As a result, it took local olive growers considerable time and experience before identifying the varieties suited to olive-growing under such difficult conditions. Eventually, they selected the indigenous variety slivnjača, which proved most suited to olive-growing on shallow soils and today accounts for 80 % of the total number of trees on the island. By opting for varieties whose characteristics contribute to the chemical composition of the oil, in particular the proportion of certain sterols, throughout history and to this day, olive growers have had an indirect effect on the oil’s characteristics.

Olive growers indirectly affect the characteristics of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ primarily by paying attention to the harvesting periods and the speed and method of processing. Harvesting during the early stages of the ripening of the olives and processing them using state-of-the-art techniques have an indirect effect on the quantity of polyphenols and on the bitterness and sharpness of the oil, whose medians are greater than or equal to 2, as well as the prevalent scent of grass. Earlier harvesting periods and the speed of processing also account for the low proportion of free fatty acids and the low peroxide value.

The quantity of polyphenols is also affected by climate conditions and the period for the growing and ripening of the fruit. The specific climate conditions of the island of Cres, which are determined by its geographical location, also affect the proportion of oleic acids out of the total content of fatty acids, which as a rule is higher than 72 %. This high proportion of oleic acids is affected by the cooler conditions for olive-growing.

To conclude, the chemical composition and typical organoleptic characteristics of ‘Ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje Cres’ are primarily affected by the pedoclimatic conditions of the island of Cres, the genetic characteristics of the varieties used and local expertise in harvesting and processing the olives, as well as the interaction between these various factors.

Reference to publication of the specification

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (3))

3

http://www.mps.hr/UserDocsImages/HRANA/CRESKO%20MASLINOVO%20ULJE/Specifikacija_ulje_Cres_FINAL7_cover.pdf

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

1

(2)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12. Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

2

(3)  See footnote 2.

3

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