# Official Journal C 257/2010

| | ISSN 1725-2423
  doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2010.257.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 257 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5324 September 2010 |

ISSN 1725-2423

doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2010.257.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 257

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5324 September 2010

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 257/01 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2010/C 257/01

Euro exchange rates

1

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 257/02 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5919 — Apollo/Alcan) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 257/03 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 3 |
| 2010/C 257/04 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 7 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2010/C 257/02

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5919 — Apollo/Alcan) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

2

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2010/C 257/03

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

3

2010/C 257/04

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

7

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 24.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

23 September 2010

2010/C 257/01

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,3323 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 112,49 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4496 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,85050 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,2054 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,3138 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,9195 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,624 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 280,85 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7093 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,9764 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,2670 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,9861 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4058 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3795 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,3376 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,8313 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,7704 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 537,65 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 9,4350 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,9369 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,2890 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 940,92 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,1241 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 58,779 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 41,3557 |
| THB | Thai baht | 40,922 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,2971 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,8776 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 60,7355 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,3323

JPY

Japanese yen

112,49

DKK

Danish krone

7,4496

GBP

Pound sterling

0,85050

SEK

Swedish krona

9,2054

CHF

Swiss franc

1,3138

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,9195

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,624

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

280,85

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7093

PLN

Polish zloty

3,9764

RON

Romanian leu

4,2670

TRY

Turkish lira

1,9861

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4058

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3795

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,3376

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,8313

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,7704

KRW

South Korean won

1 537,65

ZAR

South African rand

9,4350

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,9369

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,2890

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 940,92

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,1241

PHP

Philippine peso

58,779

RUB

Russian rouble

41,3557

THB

Thai baht

40,922

BRL

Brazilian real

2,2971

MXN

Mexican peso

16,8776

INR

Indian rupee

60,7355

---

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

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 24.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/2

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5919 — Apollo/Alcan)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2010/C 257/02

| 1. | On 16 September 2010, 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 Apollo Group (‘Apollo’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the aluminium business of Alcan Engineered Products (‘Alcan’, UK) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 16 September 2010, 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 Apollo Group (‘Apollo’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the aluminium business of Alcan Engineered Products (‘Alcan’, UK) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Apollo: portfolio investments, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Apollo: portfolio investments,

| — | for Alcan: production and sale of rolled and extruded aluminium and related products. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Alcan: production and sale of rolled and extruded aluminium and related products.

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

3.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5919 — Apollo/Alcan, to the following address:





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

4.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5919 — Apollo/Alcan, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

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

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 24.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/3

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

2010/C 257/03

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘Image’ (GUANXI MI YOU)

EC No: CN-PDO-0005-0626-16.07.2007

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Name:

‘Image’ (Guanxi Mi You)

2.   Member State or third country:

China

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

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

Class 1.6.

Fruit, vegetables and cereals fresh or processed

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

With crisp and tender fruit flesh, Guanxi Mi You (Citrus grandis) is full of juice and with a delicious vinegary, sweet flavour. Per 100 ml of juice, the minimum sugar content is 8,5 g, the maximum acid content 1,1 g and the minimum dissolvable solids content 10 %. The fruit contains many minerals and the minimum edible percentage is 55 %.

1.   Appearance

The fruit is of an inverted oval shape with a flat top and a distinct circular marking around the tip. Its skin is smooth, thin and bright orange (yellowish green at the beginning of harvest). It is known for its unique taste due to its cross-embedded cells, juicy smooth texture and sweet-sour flavour.

2.   Physical and chemical index

Single fruit weight: each single fruit weighs between 1 000 and 1 750 g.

Appearance

Fruit shape: the connatural features of the species are a smooth skin, few wrinkles and flat oil droplets.

Colour: the fruit is evenly coloured orange, with yellowish green at the beginning of harvest.

Fruit skin: the fruit skin is smooth. The area covered by scars, pesticide stains, bruises and other blemishes or harmed by rust louse should be less than 1/10 of the total skin area. There should be no serious sun-burned spots, signs of pest bruises and mechanically caused injuries, rotten fruit or fruit that could cause rotting.

Inner quality

Dissolvable solids ≥ 10 %

Sugar content ≥ 5 %

Total acid content ≤ 1,1 %

Skin thickness ≤ 1,5 cm

Edible percentage (average) ≥ 55 %

Tolerance

1.   Single fruit weight: not more than 5 % of the fruit should show a change of grade due to natural loss of weight during transport.

2.   Fruit skin defects: the area covered by pest bruises, scars and dirt should not exceed 2 %.

3.3.   Raw materials:

—

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

—

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

1.   Garden selection and planting density: red-soil hills, plains, paddy fields and eyots with a thick soil layer, good permeability and an organic content ≥ 1,5 %. 600 trees are planted per hectare.

2.   Soil conversion and fertilisation: for the young pomelo garden, use interplant green manure, dig channels where green manure can be ploughed in and then apply more organic fertiliser. For the adult pomelo garden, make sure that the ecology and biota in the garden are well protected. All the soils should be fertilised. To meet the growing requirements, apply 12 000 to 15 000 kg of organic fertiliser and 450 to 900 kg of hydrated lime per hectare to keep the soil pH value > 5,0 and organic matter content > 2,0 %.

3.   Scientific fertilisation management: use both organic and inorganic fertilisers. Organic fertiliser should account for 40 to 50 % of the whole year’s fertiliser spreading. The young trees should be fertilised quite frequently with light fertiliser, using rapidly available nitrogen as the main fertiliser with phosphate and potassium fertilisers as supplements. For the adult trees, heavy fertiliser should be applied after picking. The trees should be well fertilised to promote stem and flower growth. Fruit-protecting and fruit-strengthening fertiliser should also be applied in addition to adding fertiliser before picking. Reference amounts for normal fertilising: apply 1,2 to 1,5 kg of pure nitrogen fertiliser (organic N > 40 %) per plant per annum for plants with an output of 100 kg. The ratio for N:P2O5:K2O:CaO:MgO = 1,00 should be (0,54-0,59):(0,96-1,05):(1,33-1,37):(0,24-0,27). This should be supplemented with an appropriate amount of boron, zinc, molybdenum and other trace elements to promote the trees’ nutrient balance.

4.   Proper trimming: pull and shape to promote efficient growth of the young trees. Trim the over-dense branches and those drooping too far or with excessive growth. Adult trees should be trimmed to give them good ventilation and exposure to sunlight. Trimming should be carried out twice a year: once in summer and once in winter. In summer, the trees are trimmed to cut off the insect-infected branches, over-dense branches, drooping branches, branches which cast too much shade and branches which drop too much blossom and fruit. In winter, the trees are trimmed to cut the projecting branches from the tree crown, over-dense branches and insect-infected branches.

5.   Tree girdling: for trees with strong vitality, the trunk or main branch can be girdled from the beginning of November to mid-December. Girdling effectively promotes flower bud differentiation and enhances the flowering rate.

6.   Flower and fruit thinning: this needs to be done in years of heavy blossom. Flower thinning helps to reduce unnecessary consumption of nutrition and therefore benefits fruiting. It should be applied to the anthotaxy first and then to the bud. Fruit needs to be thinned after the end of physiological fruit drop. Fruit of abnormal shape or too small in size should be taken off. This avoids the drop in fruit quality resulting from too many fruit on one tree.

7.   Comprehensive prevention and control against insects, disease and damage: take care to prevent and control pests such as anthracnose, red spider and leaf-mining moths. Attention should be paid to combining the tasks of integrated control and prevention.

8.   Harvesting: for altitudes below 100 metres, begin from the last ten days of September, for altitudes between 100 and 300 metres during the first ten days of October and for altitudes above 300 metres during the last ten days of October.

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

1.   Packaging

Single fruit inner packaging: wrapping with polythene film bag.

Outer packaging: nylon net or corrugated case.

2.   Transport

Make sure that the vehicle is clean and sanitary and avoid transport together with toxic, harmful or malodorous material. Avoid exposure to sunlight, rain and snow during transport. No throwing or pressure.

3.   Storage

Normal storage temperature: the temperature of the warehouse should remain between 10 and 24 °C and the relative humidity between 80 and 85 %.

Low-temperature storage: the temperature of the warehouse should be kept between 3 and 5 °C, with a relative humidity of 80 to 85 % and carbon dioxide level no more than 4 %.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

For pre-packed Guanxi Mi You, the labels and pictorial markings for handling on the packing cases must comply with GB7718 (General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods) and GB191 (Packaging — Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods).

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

Production regions for protected geographical designation Guanxi Mi You include the hills, plains, paddy fields and eyots below 500 metres altitude in 16 towns and villages in Pinghe County: Wenfeng Town, Shan’ge Town, Xiaoxi Town, Banzi Town, Nansheng Town, Wuzhai Village, Guoqiang Village, Anhou Town, Daxi Town, Xiazhai Town, Luxi Town, Qiling Village, Jiufeng Town, Changle Village, Xiufeng Village and Anhou Farm.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The place of origin of Guanxi Mi You comprises 16 towns and villages (farms) in Pinghe County in Fujian Province. This area has a south-Asian subtropical monsoon climate and is situated in a mountainous area just inland from the coast. The peak of the highest mountain in Pinghe County (Mount Daqin) is 1 544,8 metres above sea level. The terrain is high in the north-west and low in the south-east, with undulating hills. The soil mostly consists of hill red soil. The area has a unique climate. The annual average temperature is 18,5 to 21,3 °C, with the extreme highest temperature reaching 39,2 °C and the extreme lowest temperature – 2,9 °C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is between 9,5 and 13,1 °C. The average temperature of the hottest month (July) is between 24,7 and 38,7 °C. The average annual accumulated temperature of days with averages higher than or equal to 10 °C is between 6 740 and 7 488 °C and the frost-free period is 315 to 322 days. The annual average precipitation is 1 664 to 1 938 mm, the relative humidity 80 to 82 % and the annual average daylight 1 758 to 1 852 hours.

The pomelo gardens at the place of origin in Pinghe County in Fujian Province are usually located on the lower reaches of the hills and the alluvial plains along the banks of rivers. The upper part of the hills is covered with forest with unpolluted air; the environment is very good. The soil in the pomelo gardens is a mix of red soil and rice soil. The soil layer is thick and has a pH value > 5,0 and an organic matter content ≥ 1,5 %. Because people fertilise the pomelo gardens with compost, stable manure, mushroom copro and many other organic fertilisers year after year, and because of the deep tillage, hole enlarging and green manure tilling, the pomelo gardens have become ecological fruit gardens with fertile, well-ventilated and loose soil which enable the trees to absorb fertiliser and moisture. The irrigating water comes from unpolluted mountain springs and streams.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

Each single Guanxi Mi You fruit weighs between 1 000 and 1 750 grams and is of an inverted oval shape with a flat top and a distinct circular marking around the tip. Its skin is smooth and its cells are cross-embedded with a minimum edible percentage of 55 %. Per 100 ml of juice, the minimum sugar content is 8,5 g and the maximum acid content 1,1 g. The fruit contains over 10 types of microelements that are essential for the human body.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product:

The growing area of Guanxi Mi You extends between 24,02 and 24,35 degrees north latitude and 116,53 and 117,31 degrees east longitude. This area has a south-Asian subtropical monsoon climate and is situated in a mountainous area just inland from the coast. The peak of the highest mountain in Pinghe County (Mount Daqin) is 1 544,8 metres above sea level. The terrain is high in the north-west and low in the south-east, with undulating hills. The soil mostly consists of hill red soil. The area has a unique climate.

The pomelo trees can bloom and bear fruit under an annual average temperature between 14,7 and 24 °C (18,5 to 21,3 °C in Pinghe County), an average temperature in January between 3 and 20 °C (9,5 to 13,1 °C in Pinghe County), an annual accumulated temperature of days with averages higher than or equal to 10 °C between 4 800 and 8 800 °C (6 740 to 7 488 °C in Pinghe County) and an absolute minimum temperature of – 9 °C (– 2,9 °C in Pinghe County). They perform best in the middle of these temperature ranges. The temperature conditions in Pinghe County fit right into the preferred ranges; therefore, in terms of climate and ecology the area is most suitable for growing pomelo trees. Due to long-term growing under these ecological conditions, Guanxi Mi You from Pinghe County has a unique sweet-and-sour flavour.

The annual average precipitation in Pinghe County reaches 1 664 to 1 938 mm, which meets the requirements for normal growth of Guanxi Mi You. The annual sunshine totals 1 758 to 1 852 hours and most days between August and October are sunny, which is conducive to production and accumulation of sugar, acids and vitamins. All these factors contribute to the sweet-and-sour flavour.

As there are no polluting industries in Pinghe County, the air there is fresh and the water unpolluted, which safeguards the high quality of the products. The characteristic feature of the land is its thick layer of loose and fertile soil. A long history of planting Guanxi pomelo trees has developed a set of planting techniques covering soil conversion and fertility improvement, fertilisation, pruning, comprehensive prevention and control of disease and pest damage and timely harvesting in order to develop fully the characteristics of the fruit.

Reference to publication of the specification:

| — | To be provided by DG AGRI. |
| --- | --- |

—

To be provided by DG AGRI.

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

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| 24.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/7

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

2010/C 257/04

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘Image’ (LIXIAN MA SHAN YAO)

EC No: CN-PDO-0005-0627-16.07.2007

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Image’ (Lixian Ma Shan Yao)

2.   Member State or third country:

China

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.6: | Fruits, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed: yams |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.6:

Fruits, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed: yams

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

Yams are the tubers of Dioscorea batatas Decne, which belongs to the family Dioscoreaceae. Lixian Ma Shan Yao yams, in the region of Li County (Lixian), Hebei Province, are planted by traditional cultivation techniques in a loose sandy loam fluvo-aquic soil (chao soil) formed by long-term erosion and deposition. Besides fresh goods, Lixian Ma Shan Yao also refers to the dried product, including dried yam strips and chips. The fresh yam are selected as raw materials, then peeled and sliced manually or mechanically. The slices are then either air-dried or dehydrated in a drier.

For the fresh Lixian Ma Shan Yao, there are three cultivars: Bangyao, Ziyao and Xiaobaizui. The characteristics of each are as follows:

1.   Bangyao: Tuber cylindric, 35-60 cm in length, not less than 3,5 cm in diameter; long dense fibrous roots; thin tawny integument; crisp white flesh, thick mucus; daintily sweet and mild but flavourful, tingling taste after cooking; water content 75-85 % (three months after harvest).

2.   Ziyao: Tuber cylindric, 50-80 cm in length, not less than 1,5 cm in diameter; sparse fibrous roots; dark-brown integument, purple speckles on the light-coloured integument; fibrous flesh texture, white transverse section, abundant starch content; deliciously sweet taste after cooking; water content 75-85 % (three months after harvest).

3.   Xiaobaizui: Tuber cylindric, 40-70 cm in length, not less than 1,6 cm in diameter; thin fibrous roots; thin hazel integument; soft floury flesh; deliciously sweet taste after cooking; water content 75-85 % (three months after harvest).

Dried Lixian Ma Shan Yao includes both yam strips and chips.

1.   Yam strips: made of fresh, peeled and dehydrated yams; approximately cylindrical shape, smooth, uniform in size; yellow-white, crisp taste, water content 6-8 %.

2.   Yam chips: made of yam strips, sliced, 0,25-0,4 cm in thickness, with the same characteristic flavour as yam strips.

3.3.   Raw materials:

—

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

—

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

—

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

1.   Operations including slicing, grinding and packing shall be conducted in the place of origin.

2.   Packing

| 1. | Containers for product packaging, e.g. plastic boxes, cardboard boxes, must be designed according to the size of products, and made to a single specification, uniform in size, clean, dry, firm, allowing for ventilation, attractive, free of polluting agents, odour-free, with no sharp objects within the package, free of insects or debris, rot or mildew, etc. Cardboard boxes should be kept dry without separating layers, and plastic boxes should be made in accordance with an agreed specification. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Containers for product packaging, e.g. plastic boxes, cardboard boxes, must be designed according to the size of products, and made to a single specification, uniform in size, clean, dry, firm, allowing for ventilation, attractive, free of polluting agents, odour-free, with no sharp objects within the package, free of insects or debris, rot or mildew, etc. Cardboard boxes should be kept dry without separating layers, and plastic boxes should be made in accordance with an agreed specification.

| 2. | Products are packaged according to specifications, and packaged products that have the same specifications should be batched together. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Products are packaged according to specifications, and packaged products that have the same specifications should be batched together.

| 3. | Each batch should consist of identical packages of standardised weight. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Each batch should consist of identical packages of standardised weight.

3.   Transportation

Goods should be pre-cooled before transportation. They should be maintained at moderate temperature and humidity levels; protected from frost, rain and exposure to sunlight; and kept well ventilated at a stable temperature during transportation.

4.   Storage

1.   Storage type: according to cultivars and specifications.

2.   Storage temperature: 2-4 °C.

3.   Storage humidity: relative humidity of atmosphere 80-85 %.

4.   Ventilation: uniform airflow should be maintained in fully-stocked storage units.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

All packages must be labelled with the product name, grade, standard number, trademark, special marks of geographical indication products, manufacturer's name, detailed address, place of production, net weight and packaging date, etc. The text on the label should be clear, complete and accurate, in both Chinese and English.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The geographical area covers a total area of 345 square kilometres, townships and towns along the Zhulong River, namely Qudi Township, Liushi Town, Baoxu Town, Nanzhuang Town, Liwu Town, Guodan Town and Baichi Town.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

Lixian Ma Shan Yao has been cultivated for more than 2 000 years, in the geographical region of Li County. It is located in the Bohai Bay Basin and the depressed western plain in central Hebei, North China. The landform is a plain consisting of alluvial and diluvial deposits from the Quaternary period. The land gently tilts, with no significant fluctuations, and is higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast. The average altitude is 15,6 m, with a very slight slope (0,03-0,01 %). Li County is located in an eastern monsoon warm temperate semi-arid area, which has a marked continental monsoon climate. There are distinct seasons — spring is windy and dry, summer rainy and hot, autumn clear and crisp, while winter is cold and dry. It has abundant light, heat and water resources. The prevailing wind direction is south-southwest through the whole year. Other geographical features are as follows: annual average frost-free period: 176 days, annual average ground temperature: 13 °C, annual average air temperature: 12,2 °C (monthly maximum temperature: 26 °C), average annual sunshine: 2 628,7 h, average annual total solar radiation: 106,9 kcal/square cm, annual maximum depth of snow cover: 23 cm, average annual precipitation: 487,2 mm.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

Lixian Ma Shan Yao products have unique characteristics among the yam cultivars, and are especially well known for their mild but flavourful tingling taste. Water content in fresh yams (three months after harvest) is 75-85 %. Dried Lixian Ma Shan Yaos are of close texture, water content 6-8 %, protein not less than 4,5 %, total sugar not more than 15 %.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product:

1.   Natural factors

1.   Soil condition: Zhulong River runs through Li County, conferring a particular geology and soil. Li County is located in a deposition zone in North China with many soil deposits from the Quaternary period. Most soil is sandy fluvo-aquic, from repeated Zhulong River floods. About 37 % of cultivated land in the county is sandy soil. Most of the soil in yam-producing areas is sandy alluvial fluvo-aquic. The soil layer is deep and loose with good permeability, favouring cultivation. Most of the soil is moderately fertile. Soil nutrients in the plough layer include: organic matter 0,78 %, total-N 0,065 %, total-P 0,076 %, Olsen-P 0,9 mg/kg, available K 91 mg/kg and soil pH 7,4-8,9, which ensures that Lixian Ma Shan Yao has many beneficial features, such as a symmetrical shape, short tapered ends, long tubers, thin integument, sparse fibrous roots, smoothness and no tumours on the tuber. Protein content in Lixian Ma Shan Yao is typically higher than in other yams.

2.   Climatic conditions: Li County is located in the eastern monsoon warm temperate semi-arid area. The frost-free period is 177 days per year, average annual rainfall 471 mm, mainly concentrated from June to August, and average annual evaporation 1 837,4 mm. Adequate light and heat resources are extremely beneficial to the growth of yam. In addition, good quality water and convenient irrigation help to ensure many specific features of Lixian Ma Shan Yao, such as very good medicinal properties and flavour, high protein content, low sugar, high mucus and low moisture.

2.   Human factors

Local producers use traditional methods, such as A-brackets, tripods and tetrapod supports, ensuring that each yam can obtain adequate light and heat as it grows. Because of the soil conditions, flexible watering schedules and rapid soil drainage, the soil remains generally moist and disease-free during the growth period.

3.   Historical origin

Compared with other cultivars of yams, Lixian Ma Shan Yao has a mild but flavourful tingling taste that has gained it a strong reputation as a high-quality traditional product. It makes Lixian Ma Shan Yao well known and called the famous ‘Ma Shan Yao’.

Cultivation of Lixian Ma Shan Yao has a long local history, and the yam has been widely planted since ancient times. Many legends, stories and poems about yams have been told by many people. For example, ‘Merchant Fanli stayed at Liushi town and the beautiful woman Xishi tasted the yam’, ‘A sickly and weak daughter of Mr Bai in Hu village, changed into a beautiful and healthy palace maid after eating the yam’, ‘Emperor Qianlong passed by Li County on his way to the South and his liegeman, Mr Ji Xiaolan, wrote a well-known poem on the yam’.

Reference to publication of the specification:

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To be provided by DG Agri.

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

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