# Official Journal C 96/2017

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 96 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6028 March 2017 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 96

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6028 March 2017

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 96/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8395 — Bridgepoint/Zenith) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2017/C 96/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8377 — SPIE/SAG) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2017/C 96/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8087 — Smiths Group/Morpho Detection) (
  1
  ) | 2 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2017/C 96/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8395 — Bridgepoint/Zenith) (
  1
  )

1

1

2017/C 96/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8377 — SPIE/SAG) (
  1
  )

1

1

2017/C 96/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8087 — Smiths Group/Morpho Detection) (
  1
  )

1

2

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 96/04 | Euro exchange rates | 3 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2017/C 96/04

Euro exchange rates

3

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 96/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8059 — Investindustrial/Black Diamond/Polynt/Reichhold) (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2017/C 96/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8430 — AÜW/Siemens/egrid) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2017/C 96/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8362 — Lonza Group/Capsugel) (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 96/08 | Publication of an amendment 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

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2017/C 96/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8059 — Investindustrial/Black Diamond/Polynt/Reichhold) (
  1
  )

1

4

2017/C 96/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8430 — AÜW/Siemens/egrid) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

5

2017/C 96/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8362 — Lonza Group/Capsugel) (
  1
  )

1

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2017/C 96/08

Publication of an amendment 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

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8395 — Bridgepoint/Zenith)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 96/01)

On 22 March 2017, 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 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 32017M8395. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32017M8395. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8377 — SPIE/SAG)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 96/02)

On 20 March 2017, 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 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 32017M8377. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32017M8377. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/2

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8087 — Smiths Group/Morpho Detection)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 96/03)

On 18 January 2017, 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) in conjunction with Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). 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/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32017M8087. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32017M8087. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/3

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Euro exchange rates (1)

27 March 2017

(2017/C 96/04)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0889 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 119,93 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4404 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,86403 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,5503 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0713 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,2188 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,021 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 310,21 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2641 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,5491 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,9203 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4261 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4536 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,4584 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5416 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5149 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 207,95 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 13,7610 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,4895 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4395 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 486,06 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,8055 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 54,516 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 61,8655 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,404 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,3980 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,4918 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 70,8170 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0889

JPY

Japanese yen

119,93

DKK

Danish krone

7,4404

GBP

Pound sterling

0,86403

SEK

Swedish krona

9,5503

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0713

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,2188

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,021

HUF

Hungarian forint

310,21

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2641

RON

Romanian leu

4,5491

TRY

Turkish lira

3,9203

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4261

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4536

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,4584

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5416

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5149

KRW

South Korean won

1 207,95

ZAR

South African rand

13,7610

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,4895

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4395

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 486,06

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,8055

PHP

Philippine peso

54,516

RUB

Russian rouble

61,8655

THB

Thai baht

37,404

BRL

Brazilian real

3,3980

MXN

Mexican peso

20,4918

INR

Indian rupee

70,8170

---

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

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/4

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8059 — Investindustrial/Black Diamond/Polynt/Reichhold)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 96/05)

| 1. | On 17 March 2017, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which funds affiliated with Investindustrial, through Global Chemicals SARL (‘Investindustrial’, Luxembourg), and funds affiliated with Black Diamond Capital Management L.L.C. (‘Black Diamond’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the Polynt Group (‘Polynt’, Italy) and the Reichhold Group (‘Reichhold’, USA) by way of purchase of shares. The same concentration was notified to the Commission on 26 October 2016, but subsequently withdrawn on 24 November 2016. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 March 2017, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which funds affiliated with Investindustrial, through Global Chemicals SARL (‘Investindustrial’, Luxembourg), and funds affiliated with Black Diamond Capital Management L.L.C. (‘Black Diamond’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the Polynt Group (‘Polynt’, Italy) and the Reichhold Group (‘Reichhold’, USA) by way of purchase of shares. The same concentration was notified to the Commission on 26 October 2016, but subsequently withdrawn on 24 November 2016.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   Polynt: Development, production and distribution of specialty chemicals and performance chemicals. In particular, Polynt is active in the production of UPR, chemical intermediates (anhydrides), related commodities (plasticizers), and specialties (thermoset compounds);
  —   Reichhold: Manufacture and supply of resins used in composites and coatings;
  —   Investindustrial: A holding company acquiring and managing shareholdings in other companies.
  —   Black Diamond: An investment advisory firm with a focus on four investment areas: (i) control distressed/private equity funds; (ii) hedge funds; (iii) mezzanine funds and collateralized loan obligations; and (iv) other structured vehicles. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   Polynt: Development, production and distribution of specialty chemicals and performance chemicals. In particular, Polynt is active in the production of UPR, chemical intermediates (anhydrides), related commodities (plasticizers), and specialties (thermoset compounds);

—   Reichhold: Manufacture and supply of resins used in composites and coatings;

—   Investindustrial: A holding company acquiring and managing shareholdings in other companies.

—   Black Diamond: An investment advisory firm with a focus on four investment areas: (i) control distressed/private equity funds; (ii) hedge funds; (iii) mezzanine funds and collateralized loan obligations; and (iv) other structured vehicles.

| 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.8059 — Investindustrial/Black Diamond/Polynt/Reichhold 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.8059 — Investindustrial/Black Diamond/Polynt/Reichhold 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’).

---

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/5

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8430 — AÜW/Siemens/egrid)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 96/06)

| 1. | On 17 March 2017, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1), by which the undertaking Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH (‘AÜW’, Germany) and the undertaking SIEMENS AG (‘SIEMENS’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking egrid applications & consulting GmbH (‘egrid’, Germany) by way of the purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 March 2017, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1), by which the undertaking Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH (‘AÜW’, Germany) and the undertaking SIEMENS AG (‘SIEMENS’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking egrid applications & consulting GmbH (‘egrid’, Germany) by way of the purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Siemens: a global undertaking active in a range of business fields, particularly in the areas of digitalisation, automation and electrification;
  —   for AÜW: a local energy provider and operator of a distribution network in Allgäu (Germany);
  —   for egrid: consultancy services in the field of measuring, analysing and optimising distribution networks. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Siemens: a global undertaking active in a range of business fields, particularly in the areas of digitalisation, automation and electrification;

—   for AÜW: a local energy provider and operator of a distribution network in Allgäu (Germany);

—   for egrid: consultancy services in the field of measuring, analysing and optimising distribution networks.

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

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit to it their observations on the proposed operation.
  Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date of publication of this notification. 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 M.8430 — AÜW/Siemens/egrid, 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 to it their observations on the proposed operation.

Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date of publication of this notification. 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 M.8430 — AÜW/Siemens/egrid, 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’).

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

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| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8362 — Lonza Group/Capsugel)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 96/07)

| 1. | On 17 March 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Lonza Group AG (Lonza, Switzerland) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of Capsugel S.A. (Capsugel, Luxembourg) by way of a purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 March 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Lonza Group AG (Lonza, Switzerland) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of Capsugel S.A. (Capsugel, Luxembourg) by way of a purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   Lonza: supply of services to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries, including contract development and manufacturing organisation services for biologics, fine chemicals, advanced intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing, development and commercialisation of active ingredients for use in consumer care, agriculture, water treatment, and coatings and composites,
  —   Capsugel: design, development and manufacture of a range of dosage forms for the biopharmaceutical and health and nutrition industries, including solid oral dosage delivery products such as hard gelatine, soft gelatine, liquid filled and alternative polymer capsules. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   Lonza: supply of services to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries, including contract development and manufacturing organisation services for biologics, fine chemicals, advanced intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing, development and commercialisation of active ingredients for use in consumer care, agriculture, water treatment, and coatings and composites,

—   Capsugel: design, development and manufacture of a range of dosage forms for the biopharmaceutical and health and nutrition industries, including solid oral dosage delivery products such as hard gelatine, soft gelatine, liquid filled and alternative polymer capsules.

| 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 M.8362 — Lonza Group/Capsugel, 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 M.8362 — Lonza Group/Capsugel, 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

| 28.3.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.3.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/7

---

Publication of an amendment 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

(2017/C 96/08)

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

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS WHICH IS NOT MINOR

Application for approval of an amendment in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

‘LIMONE INTERDONATO MESSINA’

EU No: PGI-IT-02139 — 3.5.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

| Società Cooperativa Agricola Limone Interdonato di Sicilia |
| --- |
| Via Umberto I 369 |
| 98026 Nizza di Sicilia (ME) |
| ITALIA |
| Tel. +39 0942422119 |

Società Cooperativa Agricola Limone Interdonato di Sicilia

Via Umberto I 369

98026 Nizza di Sicilia (ME)

ITALIA

Tel. +39 0942422119

| Società Cooperativa Agricola Limone Interdonato Messina Jonica |
| --- |
| Via Sant’Antonio 15 |
| 98025 Itala (ME) |
| ITALIA |
| Tel. +39 3473632533 |

Società Cooperativa Agricola Limone Interdonato Messina Jonica

Via Sant’Antonio 15

98025 Itala (ME)

ITALIA

Tel. +39 3473632533

The applicant groups are entitled to submit an amendment application pursuant to Article 13(1) of Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy Decree No 12511 of 14 October 2013.

2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

| — | ☐ | Product name |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☒ | Product description |
| — | ☐ | Geographical area |
| — | ☐ | Proof of origin |
| — | ☐ | Method of production |
| — | ☒ | Link |
| — | ☒ | Labelling |
| — | ☒ | Other [Updated legal reference — inspection body] |

—

☐

Product name

—

☒

Product description

—

☐

Geographical area

—

☐

Proof of origin

—

☐

Method of production

—

☒

Link

—

☒

Labelling

—

☒

Other [Updated legal reference — inspection body]

4.   Type of amendment(s)

| — | ☒ | Amendment to the product specification of a registered PDO or PGI not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☐ | Amendment to the product specification of registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. |

—

☒

Amendment to the product specification of a registered PDO or PGI not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

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Amendment to the product specification of registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

5.   Amendment(s)

Product description

The following indication in Article 2 of the product specification and point 3.2 of the Single Document, concerning the acidity of the juice:

‘Total acidity is less than 50 g/l’

has been amended as follows:

‘Total acidity is less than 82 g/l’.

The value specified at the time of the application for registration of the designation was measured with reference to the values of juices taken from fruit harvested when fully ripe.

On the basis of a recent study carried out thanks to funding from the Regional Development Programme — Sicily Region 2007-2013, Measure 124 Cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies in the farming and food sector and in the forestry sector CI.B.I. — Citrus Business Intelligence, carried out on a representative sample of product subject to the PGI control system in the last two farming years (2013/2014 and 2014/2015), it has been possible to establish that the acidity values of the juice of ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ diminish naturally as the fruit ripens, reaching the values stated in the specification (below 50 g/l) only when it is fully ripe, that is from March, i.e. towards the end of the harvesting season which lasts from 1 September to 15 April.

The monitoring carried out in the course of the project showed that the acidity values, expressed as citric acid, encountered during the harvesting season from September to the end of February were around 80 g/l, and thus not marketable as provided for by the control plan for the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI. We therefore request that a higher value be set for maximum acidity in the product specification for ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI, given that the current parameter does not take into account acidity variations occurring naturally as the fruit ripens.

Link

It is necessary to correct point 5 of the Single Document published in the
  Official Journal of the European Union C 74 of 28.3.2009, p. 70, which states that the ‘sweetness’ of the flesh of the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ is because of its low citric acid content. Specifically, we would point out that the characteristic ‘sweetness’ of the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ fruit is not changed as a characteristic of the product in that the ‘sweetness’ mentioned relates to the Brix degree % (glucose and fructose as sugar dissolved in a liquid) of the juice and that the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ shows values that are on average higher than those of other Sicilian lemon cultivars (6,2 %) already defined in the current specification. The text of the product specification remains unchanged.

The following paragraphs of point 5 are therefore amended as follows:

‘The basic characteristics of the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ are its early ripening, which means that it can be placed on the market before any yellow lemons have been produced in the other citrus-growing areas of the Mediterranean, the sweetness of its flesh because of its low citric acid content (less than 50 g/l), exceptional resistance to ‘mal secco’ disease (Phoma tracheiphila) of citrus fruits and a smooth, thin, fine-grained epicarp with distended oil glands.’

now reads:

‘The basic characteristics of the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ are its early ripening, which means that it can be placed on the market before any yellow lemons have been produced in the other citrus-growing areas of the Mediterranean, the sweetness of the flesh, exceptional resistance to ‘mal secco’ disease (Phoma tracheiphila) of citrus fruits and a smooth, thin, fine-grained epicarp with distended oil glands.’

‘The fruit’s basic characteristics, in particular its early ripening, the sweetness of its flesh because of its low citric acid content and its thin epicarp are the result of a combination of factors: soil, climate, tree and cultivation methods typical of the PGI production area.’

now reads:

‘The fruit’s basic characteristics, in particular its early ripening, the sweetness of its flesh and its thin epicarp are the result of a combination of factors: soil, climate, tree and cultivation methods typical of the PGI production area.’

Labelling

Labelling

The ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ logo has been amended by removing the EU symbol. The EU symbol is the property of the European Commission and cannot be part of the product logo.

Other

Other

Legal references to Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council should be updated.

References to the inspection body responsible for checking the product specification should be included in the product specification.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘LIMONE INTERDONATO MESSINA’

‘LIMONE INTERDONATO MESSINA’

EU No: PGI-IT-02139 — 3.5.2016

EU No: PGI-IT-02139 — 3.5.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name

Name

‘Limone Interdonato Messina’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Type of product

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

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

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

The ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ Protected Geographical Indication is reserved for the ‘Interdonato’ cultivar, a natural hybrid between a citron clone and a lemon clone. On placing on the market, it must have the following characteristics:

—   fruit: medium to heavy, weighing between 80 g and 350 g,

fruit

—   shape: oval with a pronounced umbo and a shallow stem joint,

shape

—   epicarp: thin and smooth with distended oil glands,

epicarp

—   colour: at the start of ripening for the market, matt green to yellow and on physiological maturity, yellow with matt green ends,

colour

—   flesh: yellow, deliquescent with medium texture and very few or no pips,

flesh

—   juice: lemon yellow with a yield of not less than 25 %. Total acidity is less than 82 g/l. No less than 6,2 °Brix,

juice

—   commercial category: Extra and I.

commercial category

The ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI is harvested from 1 September to 15 April.

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

Production operations must take place within the production area defined in point 4. Harvesting is carried out by hand during the period referred to in point 3.2 using scissors so as not to remove the ‘button’ (stem stub).

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

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

Lemons covered by the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI that are not marketed immediately after harvesting may be stored at low temperature. They are stored in cold stores in which a high relative humidity level is maintained (75-95 %) to conserve the turgidity of the fruit. The air is changed (5 times the volume of the store every 24 hours) to remove the carbon dioxide and ethylene that builds up as the fruit breathes. The lemons are stored at a temperature of between 6 and 11 °C. The fruit must be packed within 30 days of harvest.

‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI lemons are marketed in wooden, plastic and/or cardboard containers and/or trays, in nets of a maximum weight of 5 kg and in corrugated cardboard bins. Packages, bags and bins must be sealed to prevent the contents being removed without breaking the seal. The lemons may also be released for consumption in bulk provided each fruit is identified by an individual sticker.

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

The label on the packaging must carry a reference to the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI and the logo, in characters larger than those of the other information given on the label, the name, business name and address of the producer and/or packager and the commercial category (‘Extra’ or ‘I’).

The logo is composed of two concentric circles: inside the first circle, against a background of the same green colour as the Interdonato lemon at the beginning of ripening, appear the words: ‘LIMONE INTERDONATO’ and two photographs of the lemon. Inside the second circle, against a blue background representing the sea is the image of Colonel Interdonato, the breeder of the eponymous cultivar, a depiction of Sicily and the word ‘Messina’, supplementing the PGI.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area for the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI covers the whole of the following municipalities in the Province of Messina: Messina, Scaletta Zanclea, Itala, Alì, Alì’ Terme, Nizza di Sicilia, Roccalumera, Fiumedinisi, Pagliara, Mandanici, Furci Siculo, S.Teresa di Riva, Letojanni, S. Alessio Siculo, Forza D’Agrò, Taormina, Casalvecchio Siculo, Giardini Naxos and Savoca.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

The geographical area in which ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ PGI is grown covers a broad swathe of the Ionian coast of Messina, with a uniform exposure to the Ionian Sea, and takes in all the municipal areas between Messina and Taormina.

The cultivar is found from sea level to around 400 m above sea level, but is also found higher up on the fertile shores of the area’s numerous streams and drainage basins.

The orography is shaped by the Peloritani mountain chain, which rises sharply from the Ionian Sea and has its highest peaks close to the coast, giving a mountainous terrain and steep slopes, even at low altitude. In fact, most of the terrain has a gradient of more than 40 % and the only level land is to be found near the banks of streams and near the coast.

Regarding the area’s geology, stratigraphically, the north-eastern corner of Sicily is linked to Calabria, with a base of granitic, schistose and phylladic rocks covered by more recent soils. This base is probably Cambrian and comprises a seam of porphyroid granite and schist.

The post-Cambrian marine sedimentation is made up of alternate layers of limestone, dolomites, schists and clays, with the successive series of Pliocene sedimentations represented by basal conglomerates, marls, clays and finally loose sandstones and sand.

As regards tectonics, the principal consequences of such a geological structure are fragmentation of the rocks, leading to the formation of springs, and stable soils with thick alluvial deposits, encouraging the accumulation of infiltration water on the water table.

These two factors ensure the availability of groundwater for irrigation.

The area has a range of soils, with a predominance of alluvial lithosols and extremely fertile brown soils.

As regards the area’s hydrology, note should be taken of the widespread presence of watercourses, which become streams only exceptionally, following heavy rainfall. Waters rich in sulphur, salt, bromine and iodine are found in the subsoil and are exploited by thermal spas. Water resources therefore principally consist of hydrometeors, springs and groundwater drawn from a large number of wells. The area’s climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild winters and long, dry, hot summer periods. The prevailing winds are from the west and the north-east. During winter, the maestrale and the libeccio are frequent and can be particularly strong. Also very evident is the scirocco, a hot, humid wind that blows from the south-south-east for long periods.

From the above, it can be seen that the soil, terrain, climate and environment of the area in which the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ is grown constitute a unique environmental system not found elsewhere. The proof is that lemon trees of the Interdonato cultivar grown on hillsides in other parts of Sicily and in Calabria have never produced fruit with the same prized typical and specific characteristics as those grown in the defined area. The basic characteristics of the ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ are its early ripening, which means that it can be placed on the market before any yellow lemons have been produced in the other citrus-growing areas of the Mediterranean, the sweetness of the flesh, exceptional resistance to ‘mal secco’ disease (Phoma tracheiphila) of citrus fruits and a smooth, thin, fine-grained epicarp with distended oil glands.

The application for registration of ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ as a PGI is justified by the reputation this product has always enjoyed in the area where it is grown. It was back in 1875 that Colonel Interdonato, a hero of Garibaldi’s campaigns, selected this particular cultivar, whose fruits are distinguished by their early ripening, their large size, their long, cylindrical shape, their juiciness and their very smooth peel. It was soon recognised and appreciated by the inhabitants of the region, who also gave it other names such as ‘limone speciale’ or ‘fino’, which are still used today in conjunction with the name ‘Limone Interdonato’.

The fruit’s basic characteristics, in particular its early ripening, the sweetness of its flesh and its thin epicarp are the result of a combination of factors: soil, climate, tree and cultivation methods typical of the PGI production area. Among the agronomic practices that are important in developing the specific characteristics of the Interdonato cultivar grown in the PGI production area are fertilisation based on the addition of high levels of organic substances and on slow-release nitrogen fertilisers. Since it is scientifically proven that nitrate supplements have a strong influence on the roughness of the epicarp, the use of slow-release organic fertilisers favours the gradual uptake of nitrogen by the plant and the distension of the fruit’s oil glands. Another special technique used is adequate and continuous irrigation throughout the fruit’s growing and ripening period, which is mainly during summer. The presence of ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ on the Ionian coast of the Province of Messina is a natural development brought about by a combination of natural and human factors peculiar to the production area and that can be reproduced nowhere else. This is confirmed by the failure of all attempts to extend cultivation to the neighbouring areas of Catania and the western slopes of Messina along the Tyrrhenian coast, while cultivation has remained stable and productive in the area of origin. In addition, the fruit’s early ripening is also, without doubt, due to the citron clone from which the ‘Interdonato’ cultivar originates. To sum up, as early as the 19th century, the ‘Limone Interdonato’ reshaped the landscape of the whole of the Ionian coast of the Province of Messina, which acquired the reputation of being a ‘land of ever-verdant gardens’, influencing the economy, customs, the social make-up, events, culture, rites and traditions.

Reference to publication of the specification

Reference to publication of the specification

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

The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for amending the product specification for the PGI ‘Limone Interdonato Messina’ in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 63 of 16 March 2016. The consolidated text of the product specification is available on the internet:

Official Gazette of the Italian Republic

http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Prodotti DOP e IGP’ (at the top right-hand side of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP e STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

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

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