# Official Journal C 303/2011

| | ISSN 1977-091X
  doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2011.303.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 303 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5414 October 2011 |

ISSN 1977-091X

doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2011.303.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 303

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5414 October 2011

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 303/01 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2011/C 303/02 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  2
  ) | 4 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2011/C 303/01

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

1

1

2011/C 303/02

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  2
  )

2

4

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | Council |
| 2011/C 303/03 | Notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision 2011/273/CFSP, as amended by Council Decision 2011/684/CFSP, and in Council Regulation (EU) No 442/2011, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 1011/2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria apply | 5 |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 303/04 | Euro exchange rates | 6 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2011/C 303/05 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 7 |
| 2011/C 303/06 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 8 |
| 2011/C 303/07 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 9 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

2011/C 303/03

Notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision 2011/273/CFSP, as amended by Council Decision 2011/684/CFSP, and in Council Regulation (EU) No 442/2011, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 1011/2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria apply

5

European Commission

2011/C 303/04

Euro exchange rates

6

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2011/C 303/05

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

7

2011/C 303/06

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

8

2011/C 303/07

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

9

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Parliament |
| 2011/C 303/08 | Recruitment notice PE/148/S | 10 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 303/09 | Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or steel originating in Russia | 11 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 303/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6387 — Buchen Industrie Service/Thyssen Krupp Xervon) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 14 |
| 2011/C 303/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6243 — CE Gas Marketing & Trading/Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft/VNG Austria) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 15 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2011/C 303/12 | 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 | 16 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Parliament

2011/C 303/08

Recruitment notice PE/148/S

10

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2011/C 303/09

Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or steel originating in Russia

11

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2011/C 303/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6387 — Buchen Industrie Service/Thyssen Krupp Xervon) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

14

2011/C 303/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6243 — CE Gas Marketing & Trading/Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft/VNG Austria) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

15

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2011/C 303/12

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

16

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

2

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/1

---

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 303/01

| Date of adoption of the decision | 20.12.2010 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 270/10 |
| Member State | Netherlands |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Groene energiebelasting, verlaagd tarief voor de glastuinbouwsector |
| Legal basis | Wet belastingen op Milieugrondslag en Wet op de Accijns |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Environmental protection |
| Form of aid | Tax rate reduction |
| Budget | | Annual budget: EUR 100 million |

Date of adoption of the decision

20.12.2010

Reference number of State Aid

N 270/10

Member State

Netherlands

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Groene energiebelasting, verlaagd tarief voor de glastuinbouwsector

Legal basis

Wet belastingen op Milieugrondslag en Wet op de Accijns

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Environmental protection

Form of aid

Tax rate reduction

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 100 million

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

Overall budget: EUR 200 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

1.1.2011-31.12.2012

Economic sectors

Agriculture

Name and address of the granting authority

| Ministerie van Financiën |
| --- |
| Postbus 20201 |
| 2500 EE Den Haag |
| NEDERLAND |

Ministerie van Financiën

Postbus 20201

2500 EE Den Haag

NEDERLAND

Other information

—

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

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 13.7.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 308/10 |
| Member State | Netherlands |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Subsidieregeling grondverwerving ten behoeve van natuurbehoud |
| Legal basis | Provinciale Subsidieregeling grondaankoop EHS, Rijkssubsidieregeling grondaankoop EHS |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Environmental protection |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | | Annual budget: EUR 55 million |

Date of adoption of the decision

13.7.2011

Reference number of State Aid

N 308/10

Member State

Netherlands

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Subsidieregeling grondverwerving ten behoeve van natuurbehoud

Legal basis

Provinciale Subsidieregeling grondaankoop EHS, Rijkssubsidieregeling grondaankoop EHS

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Environmental protection

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 55 million

| | Overall budget: EUR 276 million |
| --- | --- |

Overall budget: EUR 276 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

1.1.2011-1.1.2021

Economic sectors

Service activities

Name and address of the granting authority

Provincies en ministerie van ELI

Other information

—

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

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

| Date of adoption of the decision | 8.9.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | SA.33317 (11/N) |
| Member State | Poland |
| Region | Śląskie |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Pomoc na ratowanie dla Przedsiębiorstwa Komunikacji Samochodowej w Lublińcu Sp. z o.o. |
| Legal basis | 1) | Ustawa z dnia 30 sierpnia 1996 r. o komercjalizacji i prywatyzacji – art. 56 ust. 2. |

Date of adoption of the decision

8.9.2011

Reference number of State Aid

SA.33317 (11/N)

Member State

Poland

Region

Śląskie

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Pomoc na ratowanie dla Przedsiębiorstwa Komunikacji Samochodowej w Lublińcu Sp. z o.o.

Legal basis

1)

Ustawa z dnia 30 sierpnia 1996 r. o komercjalizacji i prywatyzacji – art. 56 ust. 2.

| 2) | Ustawa z dnia 29 kwietnia 2010 r. o zmianie ustawy o komercjalizacji i prywatyzacji oraz ustawy – Przepisy wprowadzające ustawę o finansach publicznych – art. 5. |
| --- | --- |

2)

Ustawa z dnia 29 kwietnia 2010 r. o zmianie ustawy o komercjalizacji i prywatyzacji oraz ustawy – Przepisy wprowadzające ustawę o finansach publicznych – art. 5.

| 3) | Ustawa z dnia 8 sierpnia 1996 r. o zasadach wykonywania uprawnień przysługujących Skarbowi Państwa – art. 2b. |
| --- | --- |

3)

Ustawa z dnia 8 sierpnia 1996 r. o zasadach wykonywania uprawnień przysługujących Skarbowi Państwa – art. 2b.

| 4) | Rozporządzenie Ministra Skarbu Państwa z dnia 6 kwietnia 2007 r. w sprawie pomocy publicznej na ratowanie i restrukturyzację przedsiębiorców. |
| --- | --- |

4)

Rozporządzenie Ministra Skarbu Państwa z dnia 6 kwietnia 2007 r. w sprawie pomocy publicznej na ratowanie i restrukturyzację przedsiębiorców.

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Rescue of firms in difficulty

Form of aid

Soft loan

Budget

Overall budget: PLN 0,34 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

9.2011-3.2012

Economic sectors

Transport

Name and address of the granting authority

| Minister Skarbu Państwa |
| --- |
| ul. Krucza 36/Wspólna 6 |
| 00-522 Warszawa |
| POLSKA/POLAND |

Minister Skarbu Państwa

ul. Krucza 36/Wspólna 6

00-522 Warszawa

POLSKA/POLAND

Other information

—

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

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

---

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/4

---

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

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

2011/C 303/02

| Date of adoption of the decision | 12.9.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 529/08 |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | — | Mixed |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Attuazione della direttiva 2003/96/CE che ristruttura il quadro comunitario per la tassazione dei prodotti energetici e dell'elettricità |
| Legal basis | Legge 27 dicembre 2006 n. 296 (Legge Finanziaria 2007), articolo 1, commi 380/381
  Decreto Legislativo 2 febbraio 2007 n. 26, articolo 1, comma 1 — Attuazione della direttiva 2003/96/CE che ristruttura il quadro comunitario per la tassazione dei prodotti energetici e dell'elettricità (GU L 68 del 22.3.2007). |
| Type of measure | Scheme | — |
| Objective | Environmental protection, Tax exemptions under Directive 2003/96/EC |
| Form of aid | Tax rate reduction |
| Budget | | Overall budget: EUR 25 million |

Date of adoption of the decision

12.9.2011

Reference number of State Aid

N 529/08

Member State

Italy

Region

—

Mixed

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Attuazione della direttiva 2003/96/CE che ristruttura il quadro comunitario per la tassazione dei prodotti energetici e dell'elettricità

Legal basis

Legge 27 dicembre 2006 n. 296 (Legge Finanziaria 2007), articolo 1, commi 380/381

Decreto Legislativo 2 febbraio 2007 n. 26, articolo 1, comma 1 — Attuazione della direttiva 2003/96/CE che ristruttura il quadro comunitario per la tassazione dei prodotti energetici e dell'elettricità (GU L 68 del 22.3.2007).

Type of measure

Scheme

—

Objective

Environmental protection, Tax exemptions under Directive 2003/96/EC

Form of aid

Tax rate reduction

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 25 million

| | Annual budget: EUR 2,50 million |
| --- | --- |

Annual budget: EUR 2,50 million

Intensity

0 %

Duration (period)

—

Economic sectors

Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply

Name and address of the granting authority

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

Ministero delle politiche agricole alimentari e forestali

Via XX Settembre 20

00187 Roma RM

ITALIA

Other information

—

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

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

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/5

---

Notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision 2011/273/CFSP, as amended by Council Decision 2011/684/CFSP, and in Council Regulation (EU) No 442/2011, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 1011/2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria apply

2011/C 303/03

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

The following information is brought to the attention of the persons and entities that appear in the Annex to Council Decision 2011/273/CFSP, as amended by Council Decision 2011/684/CFSP (1), and in Annex II to Council Regulation (EU) No 442/2011, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 1011/2011 (2) concerning restrictive measures against Syria.

The Council of the European Union has decided that the persons and entities that appear in the above-mentioned Annexes should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision 2011/273/CFSP and in Council Regulation (EU) No 442/2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria. The grounds for designations of those persons and entities appear in the relevant entries in those Annexes.

The attention of the persons and entities concerned is drawn to the possibility of making an application to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State(s) as indicated in the websites in Annex III to Council Regulation (EU) No 442/2011, in order to obtain an authorisation to use frozen funds for basic needs or specific payments (cf. Article 6 of the Regulation).

The persons and entities concerned may submit a request to the Council, together with supporting documentation, that the decision to include them on the abovementioned list should be reconsidered, to the following address:

| Council of the European Union |
| --- |
| General Secretariat |
| DG K Coordination |
| 30.HN.09 |
| Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 |
| 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Council of the European Union

General Secretariat

DG K Coordination

30.HN.09

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175

1048 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

The attention of the persons and entities concerned is also drawn to the possibility of challenging the Council's decision before the General Court of the European Union, in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 275, second paragraph, and Article 263, fourth and sixth paragraphs, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

---

(1)  OJ L 269, 14.10.2011, p. 33.

(2)  OJ L 269, 14.10.2011, p. 18.

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European Commission

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/6

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Euro exchange rates (1)

13 October 2011

2011/C 303/04

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,3727 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 105,48 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4450 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87585 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,1374 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,2335 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,7570 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,746 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 291,80 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7055 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,3168 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,3203 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,5174 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,3536 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4030 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,6792 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7352 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,7560 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 591,54 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 10,8297 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,7580 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4808 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 12 179,44 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,3096 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 59,552 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 42,9275 |
| THB | Thai baht | 42,320 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,4217 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 18,3118 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 67,4410 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,3727

JPY

Japanese yen

105,48

DKK

Danish krone

7,4450

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87585

SEK

Swedish krona

9,1374

CHF

Swiss franc

1,2335

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,7570

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,746

HUF

Hungarian forint

291,80

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7055

PLN

Polish zloty

4,3168

RON

Romanian leu

4,3203

TRY

Turkish lira

2,5174

AUD

Australian dollar

1,3536

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4030

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,6792

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7352

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,7560

KRW

South Korean won

1 591,54

ZAR

South African rand

10,8297

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,7580

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4808

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

12 179,44

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,3096

PHP

Philippine peso

59,552

RUB

Russian rouble

42,9275

THB

Thai baht

42,320

BRL

Brazilian real

2,4217

MXN

Mexican peso

18,3118

INR

Indian rupee

67,4410

---

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

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/7

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2011/C 303/05

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 13.8.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 13.8.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Stock or Group of stocks | SOL/8AB. |
| Species | Common sole (Solea solea) |
| Zone | VIIIa and VIIIb |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 870462 |

Date and time of closure

13.8.2011

Duration

13.8.2011-31.12.2011

Member State

Belgium

Stock or Group of stocks

SOL/8AB.

Species

Common sole (Solea solea)

Zone

VIIIa and VIIIb

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

870462

Web link to the decision of the Member State:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_en.htm

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

---

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/8

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2011/C 303/06

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 16.9.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 16.9.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Member State | Portugal |
| Stock or Group of stocks | BET/ATLANT |
| Species | Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) |
| Zone | Atlantic Ocean |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | — |

Date and time of closure

16.9.2011

Duration

16.9.2011-31.12.2011

Member State

Portugal

Stock or Group of stocks

BET/ATLANT

Species

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)

Zone

Atlantic Ocean

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

—

Web link to the decision of the Member State:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_en.htm

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

---

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/9

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

2011/C 303/07

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 13.8.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 13.8.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Stock or Group of stocks | NEP/8ABDE. |
| Species | Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) |
| Zone | VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 870462 |

Date and time of closure

13.8.2011

Duration

13.8.2011-31.12.2011

Member State

Belgium

Stock or Group of stocks

NEP/8ABDE.

Species

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus)

Zone

VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

870462

Web link to the decision of the Member State:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_en.htm

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Parliament

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/10

---

Recruitment notice PE/148/S

2011/C 303/08

The European Parliament is organising the following selection procedure:

PE/148/S — Head of Unit (AD 9) — Foreign and Budgetary Affairs Unit

This selection procedure requires a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma officially recognised in one of the European Union Member States.

By the closing date for applications, candidates must, after having obtained the above qualification, have acquired at least 10 years’ experience in a field relevant to the job description, including three years in a management post.

This recruitment notice is published only in English, French and German. The full text is in Official Journal C 303 A in the three languages.

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/11

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Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or steel originating in Russia

2011/C 303/09

The European Commission (‘Commission’) has received a request for a partial interim review pursuant to Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 November 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (1) (‘the basic Regulation’).

1.   Request for review

The request was lodged by the ‘OAO TMK’ (‘the applicant’), an exporting producer group from Russia, composed of OAO Volzhsky Pipe Plant, OAO Taganrog Metallurgical Works, OAO Sinarsky Pipe Plant and OAO Seversky Tube Works.

The review is limited in scope to the examination of dumping as far as the applicant is concerned.

2.   Product

The product under review is certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or steel, of circular cross-section, of an external diameter not exceeding 406,4 mm with a Carbon Equivalent Value (CEV) not exceeding 0,86 according to the International Institute of Welding (IIW) formula and chemical analysis (2), currently falling within CN codes ex 7304 11 00, ex 7304 19 10, ex 7304 19 30, ex 7304 22 00, ex 7304 23 00, ex 7304 24 00, ex 7304 29 10, ex 7304 29 30, ex 7304 31 80, ex 7304 39 58, ex 7304 39 92, ex 7304 39 93, ex 7304 51 89, ex 7304 59 92 and ex 7304 59 93 (3), originating in Russia (‘the product concerned’).

3.   Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 954/2006 (4), as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 812/2008 (5).

In June 2011, the Commission published a notice of initiation (6) of an expiry review of the anti-dumping duty applicable to imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or steel originating, inter alia, in Russia. Pending the completion of the expiry review investigation, the measures continue to be in force.

4.   Grounds for the review

The request pursuant to Article 11(3) is based on prima facie evidence, provided by the applicant, that, as far as the applicant is concerned, the circumstances on the basis of which the existing measures were imposed have changed and that these changes are of lasting nature.

The applicant alleges that circumstances have changed since the last interim review period and that they are of a lasting nature, since they relate to considerable changes in its internal structure by splitting off certain activities and to substantial technical improvements of its production equipment which have had a considerable impact on the overall cost structure of the company through optimisation of its productivity.

The applicant provided prima facie evidence showing that the continued imposition of the measure at its current level is no longer necessary to counteract the injurious dumping. In particular the applicant alleges that the significant changes in its internal structure and the substantial improvements of its production equipment have had a direct impact on its cost structure. A comparison of the applicant's normal value and its export prices to the Union indicates that the dumping margin appears to be lower than the current level of the measure.

Therefore, the continued imposition of measures at the existing level, which was based on the level of dumping previously established, appears to be no longer necessary to offset dumping.

5.   Procedure for the determination of dumping

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of a partial interim review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.

The investigation will assess the need for the continuation, removal or amendment of the existing measures in respect of the applicant.

(a)   Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the applicant and to the authorities of the exporting country concerned. This information and supporting evidence should reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a).

(b)   Collection of information and holding of hearings

All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information other than questionnaire replies and to provide supporting evidence. This information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a).

Furthermore, the Commission may hear interested parties, provided that they make a request showing that there are particular reasons why they should be heard. This request must be made within the time limit set in point 6(b).

6.   Time limits

(a)   For parties to make themselves known, to submit questionnaire replies and any other information

All interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account during the investigation, must make themselves known by contacting the Commission, present their views and submit questionnaire replies or any other information within 37 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified. Attention is drawn to the fact that the exercise of most procedural rights set out in the basic Regulation depends on the party's making itself known within the aforementioned period.

(b)   Hearings

All interested parties may also apply to be heard by the Commission within the same 37-day time limit.

7.   Written submissions, questionnaire replies and correspondence

All written submissions, including the information requested in this notice, completed questionnaires and correspondence provided by interested parties for which confidential treatment is requested shall be labelled ‘Limited’ (7).

Interested parties providing ‘Limited’ information are required to furnish non-confidential summaries of it pursuant to Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’. These summaries should be sufficiently detailed to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information submitted in confidence. If an interested party providing confidential information does not furnish a non-confidential summary of it in the requested format and quality, such confidential information may be disregarded.

Interested parties are required to make all submissions and requests in electronic format (the non-confidential submissions via e-mail, the confidential ones on CD-R/DVD), and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers of the interested party. However, any Powers of Attorney, signed certifications, and any updates thereof, accompanying questionnaire replies shall be submitted on paper, i.e. by post or by hand, at the address below. Pursuant to Article 18(2) of the basic Regulation if an interested party cannot provide its submissions and requests in electronic format, it must immediately inform the Commission. For further information concerning correspondence with the Commission, interested parties may consult the relevant web page on the website of Directorate-General for Trade: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/tackling-unfair-trade/trade-defence

Commission address for correspondence:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Trade |
| Directorate H |
| Office: N105 04/092 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
| Fax +32 22921507 |
| E-mail: TRADE-R-SPT-TMK-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate H

Office: N105 04/092

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Fax +32 22921507

E-mail: TRADE-R-SPT-TMK-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu

8.   Non-cooperation

In cases in which any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the facts available.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information shall be disregarded and use may be made, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, of the facts available. If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially, and use of facts available is made, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

9.   Schedule of the investigation

The investigation shall be concluded, according to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation, within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

10.   Processing of personal data

It is noted that any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (8).

11.   Hearing Officer

It is also noted that if interested parties consider that they are encountering difficulties in the exercise of their rights of defence, they may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer of Directorate-General for Trade. He acts as an interface between the interested parties and the Commission services, offering, where necessary, mediation on procedural matters affecting the protection of their interests in this proceeding, in particular with regard to issues concerning access to the file, confidentiality, extension of time limits and the treatment of written and/or oral submission of views. For further information and contact details, interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer’s web pages on the website of Directorate-General for Trade (http://ec.europa.eu/trade/tackling-unfair-trade/hearing-officer/index_en.htm).

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 51.

(2)  The CEV shall be determined in accordance with Technical Report, 1967, IIW doc. IX-555-67, published by the International Institute of Welding (IIW).

(3)  As presently defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 861/2010 of 5 October 2010 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (OJ L 284, 29.10.2010, p. 1). The product coverage is determined in combining the product description in Article 1(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 954/2006 (OJ L 175, 29.6.2006, p. 4) and the product description of the corresponding CN codes taken together.

(4)  OJ L 175, 29.6.2006, p. 4.

(5)  OJ L 220, 15.8.2008, p. 1.

(6)  OJ C 187, 28.6.2011, p. 16.

(7)  A ‘Limited’ document is a document which is considered confidential pursuant to Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009 p. 51) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement). It is also a document protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).

(8)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/14

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6387 — Buchen Industrie Service/Thyssen Krupp Xervon)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 303/10

| 1. | On 6 October 2011, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Buchen Industrie Service GmbH (‘Buchen Industrie Service’, Germany), belonging to Remondis AG & Co (Remondis, Germany), which is ultimately controlled by Rethmann-AG & Co. KG (‘Rethmann’, Germany), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Thyssen Krupp Xervon GmbH (‘Xervon’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 6 October 2011, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Buchen Industrie Service GmbH (‘Buchen Industrie Service’, Germany), belonging to Remondis AG & Co (Remondis, Germany), which is ultimately controlled by Rethmann-AG & Co. KG (‘Rethmann’, Germany), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Thyssen Krupp Xervon GmbH (‘Xervon’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | Buchen Industrie Service: industrial services and industrial cleaning, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

Buchen Industrie Service: industrial services and industrial cleaning,

| — | Remondis: water and recycling management, |
| --- | --- |

—

Remondis: water and recycling management,

| — | Rethmann: water and recycling management, logistics, utilisation of animal waste, |
| --- | --- |

—

Rethmann: water and recycling management, logistics, utilisation of animal waste,

| — | Xervon: technical services for the construction and maintenance of industrial installations. |
| --- | --- |

—

Xervon: technical services for the construction and maintenance of industrial installations.

| 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.6387 — Buchen Industrie Service/Thyssen Krupp Xervon, 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.6387 — Buchen Industrie Service/Thyssen Krupp Xervon, 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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| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/15

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6243 — CE Gas Marketing & Trading/Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft/VNG Austria)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 303/11

| 1. | On 7 October 2011 the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings CE Gas Marketing & Trading GmbH (‘CEMAG’, Austria) and Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft (‘VNG’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of VNG Austria GmbH by way of share purchase and contract. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 7 October 2011 the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings CE Gas Marketing & Trading GmbH (‘CEMAG’, Austria) and Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft (‘VNG’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of VNG Austria GmbH by way of share purchase and contract.

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






  — | CEMAG: trading of natural gas, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

CEMAG: trading of natural gas,

| — | VNG: import of natural gas, wholesale trading and transport of natural gas and also operation of underground gas storage facilities and marketing of storage capacity, |
| --- | --- |

—

VNG: import of natural gas, wholesale trading and transport of natural gas and also operation of underground gas storage facilities and marketing of storage capacity,

| — | VNG Austria: gas supply. |
| --- | --- |

—

VNG Austria: gas supply.

| 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.6243 — CE Gas Marketing & Trading/Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft/VNG Austria, 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.6243 — CE Gas Marketing & Trading/Verbundnetz Gas Aktiengesellschaft/VNG Austria, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

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

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 14.10.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 303/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.10.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 303/16

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

2011/C 303/12

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.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘KALOCSAI FŰSZERPAPRIKA-ŐRLEMÉNY’

EC No: HU-PDO-0005-0393-21.10.2004

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.

1.   Responsible department in the Member State:

| Name: | Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium – Élelmiszer-feldolgozási Főosztály |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | Budapest |
| Kossuth Lajos tér 11. |
| 1055 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |

Name:

Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium – Élelmiszer-feldolgozási Főosztály

Address:

Budapest

Kossuth Lajos tér 11.

1055

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Tel.

+36 13014419

Fax

+36 13014808

E-mail:

Eniko.Zobor@vm.gov.hu eefo@fvm.gov.hu

2.   Group:

| Name: | Kalocsai Fűszerpaprika-őrlemény védelméért polgári jogi társaság |
| --- | --- |
| Head Office: | Kalocsa |
| Kossuth Lajos u. 15. |
| 6300 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |

Name:

Kalocsai Fűszerpaprika-őrlemény védelméért polgári jogi társaság

Head Office:

Kalocsa

Kossuth Lajos u. 15.

6300

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Mailing address:

| Kalocsa |
| --- |
| Alkotmány u. 49. |
| 6300 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |

Kalocsa

Alkotmány u. 49.

6300

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Tel.

+36 78462555

Fax

+36 78462211

E-mail:

paprikart@mail.externet.hu

Membership:

Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3.   Type of product:

| Group 1.8. | Other products of Annex I to the Rome Treaty (spices) |
| --- | --- |

Group 1.8.

Other products of Annex I to the Rome Treaty (spices)

4.   Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

4.1.   Name:

‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’

4.2.   Description:

‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ is produced by grinding the dried pods of the pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L. var. Longum DC.) grown from State-recognised varieties of sealed sowing seeds.

The following varieties may be used for producing ‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika őrlemény’: Delikát, Favorit, Folklór, Jubileum, Kaldóm, Kalmár, Kalocsai 50, Kalocsai 801, Kalocsai merevszárú 622, Kalocsai V-2, Kalorez, Kalóz, Remény, Rubinvörös, Szegedi-178, Szegedi 20 and Szegedi 80.

The main characteristics of ‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’:

Organoleptic characteristics:

—   physical characteristics: homogeneous, uniform grinding,

—   colour: deep silky red,

—   aroma: pleasant, spicy aroma, appetising smell, similar to that of caramelised roasted seeds,

—   taste: sweet, fruity, reflects harmony of pentatonic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, hot) and non-pungent, its capsaicin content is a characteristic of the variety.

The hot ground paprika increases and intensifies this harmony of taste, smell and aroma. The intensity of heat is determined by the capsaicin content. If the capsaicin content is 30-200 mg/kg, the ground paprika will taste moderately hot; if it is 200-500 mg/kg, it is spicy, and if it exceeds 500 mg/kg, it will taste hot.

Physico-chemical properties:

| — | particle size, grinding fineness: maximum 0,5 mm, |
| --- | --- |

—

particle size, grinding fineness: maximum 0,5 mm,

| — | analytical characteristics:






  Total pigment content at the end of the minimum durability term, per dry matter, at least, g/kg | 2,6 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| or ASTA colour value at the end of the minimum durability term, minimum | 85 |
| Maximum moisture content, % (m/m) | 11,0 |
| Sand content in the dry matter, maximum, % (m/m) | 0,5 |

—

analytical characteristics:

Total pigment content at the end of the minimum durability term, per dry matter, at least, g/kg

2,6

or ASTA colour value at the end of the minimum durability term, minimum

85

Maximum moisture content, % (m/m)

11,0

Sand content in the dry matter, maximum, % (m/m)

0,5

| — | ground paprika may not contain food additives. The conditioning process involves the addition of potable water. |
| --- | --- |

—

ground paprika may not contain food additives. The conditioning process involves the addition of potable water.

4.3.   Geographical area:

The cultivation area of the paprika to be used for the production of ‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ with a protected designation of origin is the Kalocsa paprika production region, which comprises 119 settlements of Bács-Kiskun, 35 of Tolna, 26 of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, four of Fejér and one-one settlement each of Baranya and Csongrád counties. The product description contains the list of settlements.

‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ must be produced and packed in the geographical area within the administrative boundaries of the settlements specified in the product description.

4.4.   Certification of origin:

The entire process of the production of ‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ is to be carried out in a strict production and control order with a quality management system covering the verification of the documented origin of the seeds and the raw material (pepper pods). The product’s path from the raw material to the ground finished product may thus be identified and traced.

Compliance with the rules is monitored by the regional offices of the Agriculture Administration Office.

4.5.   Method of production:

In autumn the soil is spread with manure or, in the absence of this, with fertilisers.

The sealed sowing seed is sown directly in the soil with a temperature of at least 12 °C from the beginning of March to the end of May, or the seedlings grown from March in cold frames of hot beds are planted in the soil from mid-May on.

Before planting or sowing, the soil is thoroughly prepared to accommodate the paprika seedlings or the seeds: the harder layers below the soil surface are broken up, the soil is loosened and the surface is fully levelled.

The mature pods are harvested by machines or manually; then, after identification and quality assessment, they are stored in light of the examination results and are post-ripened under natural conditions.

During the post-ripening period (10-40 days) the produce is to be stored in wooden boxes, containers, sacks or strung up in garlands (separated by lot) in order to increase the pigment content as much as possible and prevent any deterioration and contamination during storage.

After temporary storage and post-ripening, the produce is dried in a gentle manner imitating the conditions of natural drying by indirect dryers or in the open air under natural conditions to a moisture content below 10 %, and it is then identified by labels. The gentleness of drying provides a maximum temperature of 80 °C on the surface. This is the maximum temperature at which the moisture evaporation of paprika still corresponds to natural conditions. The paprika thus preserves the natural taste and aroma, which it retains until it is ground.

After drying the labelled produce is stored in cool, dark quarters that are free from pests.

After temporary storage the dried paprika is ground at a paprika temperature which must remain below 80 °C. During grinding the oil content of the paprika seed covers the surface of the granules, thereby protecting them from adverse decay processes. Millstones, rolling mills, hammer mills and mills operating on the impact principle are suitable for grinding. Grinding requires air input so that the grinding temperature never exceed 80 °C. Ground paprika must be ground with a natural proportion of seeds. At the end of grinding paprika must be conditioned to a minimum moisture content of 8 % and a maximum of 11 % by adding tested natural water.

The ground product may be put on the market after homogenisation, germ reduction, packaging and appropriate marking and labelling.

The above-described post-ripening, grinding and conditioning processes fundamentally determine the quality of the product, which can only be guaranteed by immediate packaging in order to prevent changes in the water content achieved in the conditioning procedure. The complexity of these procedures requires expertise available only in the given geographical area. Therefore, in an effort to ensure not only the origin, but also the quality of the product, every phase in the production of ‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ — i.e. growing and processing the raw material and packaging — must be undertaken in the geographical area set out in point 4.3.

4.6.   Link:

‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ — a traditional spice — is a plant species that has been recognised in Hungary and Kalocsa for some 500 years, cultivated for over 300 years, traded for 150 years and has been a branded export product for the past 100 years.

In the early decades of the 1700s several settlements in the Kalocsa region were engaged in paprika production. There is also evidence that paprika cultivation was thriving in most of the villages there around the 1800s. The first paprika drying plant was built in 1880.

Paprika developed into a commercial product in the 19th century, when the spice became popular in other, more distant regions as well.

At the turn of the 20th century Hungarian paprika had already become a major trading item. In the system of free trade which flourished then, production, processing, grinding and commerce were not restricted by any State intervention or regulation. The natural market for Hungarian products was the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. By that time the growing area must have been about 4 000-6 000 cadastral acres, because exports came to almost 600 tonnes in 1901.

In 1917, a Chemical and Paprika Experimentation Station (Vegykísérleti és Paprikakísérleti Állomás) was established in Kalocsa. The new institute was successful not only in improving the quality of Kalocsa paprika and in combating increasing counterfeiting practices, but also increased the volume of paprika production thanks to expert breeding efforts and training of farmers. The so-called ‘noble’ paprika of Kalocsa and the sweet (non-hot) varieties were bred on the site of Kalocsa's Experimentation Station.

A ministerial decree (No 83.000/1922., Ministry of Agriculture) was issued in 1922 to regulate the quality categorisation of paprika, and the first Paprika Qualification Code was published. M.E. Basic Decision 1890/1934 designated the region of Kalocsa as a ‘restricted zone’. From that point, paprika production was subject to licensing.

After World War Two, the cultivation of paprika expanded to about 4 000-5 000 hectares of land. After exports resumed and increased rapidly, additional land had to be incorporated into paprika cultivation. Paprika crops covered some 6-7 000 hectares of land in the 1950s. Agricultural cooperatives were established in the 1960s, which then continued production of paprika in the established areas. Ground paprika is produced from paprika varieties with elongated, upright and drooping varieties grown in the Kalocsa area. Thanks to century-old traditions of plant breeding, the varieties that have preserved these genetic features have adapted extremely well to the soil and climate of the region because, in breeding the plants, they used the paprika population containing the original taste, flavour and colour that developed in this region over a century. After grinding, the paprika was spread out for the night in a cool larder, allowing the ground paprika to absorb the right quantity of water from the moisture of the air. The conditioning procedure in modern technology is based on this phase of traditional peasant paprika processing.

In addition to professional experience, the soil and the climate played an important role in the evolution of the Kalocsa paprika producing region.

‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ is primarily produced in the area between the Danube and the main channel of the Danube basin and spreads over to the flood area of the Tisza river. The area spreads across the central zone of the Danube-Tisza basin production region, mainly on the alluvial soil of the Danube. This is followed by the sand ridge of the Mid-Danube-Tisza and Dunaföldvár and the loess ridge of North-Bácska. The characteristic soil type of the regions in the Mid-Danube-Tisza area is the meadow alluvial soil and its varieties, which — in the direction of the east — is replaced by meadow black soils in the central zone of the small region. The characteristic soils of the region's eastern border have a high salt content. As paprika is mainly sown directly in the ground, it requires a higher temperature for germination, which the soils of the region provide because they warm up quickly. Paprika is also sensitive to the pH value of the soil (sub-alkaline pH of 7,2-8,2 is necessary for proper development) and nutrients are required in a form that can easily be absorbed, therefore medium compact, easily warming, sub-alkaline or neutral soils are suitable for production.

As the alluvial soils established on the loess and sand ridges of the Danube and the Tisza have similar soil characteristics, the raw material production basis — with the Kalocsa varieties and technology — extended towards the Szolnok (Mezőhék) micro region in the 1970s.

In the Kalocsa region the average temperature during the growing season is between 17,5 °C and 18 °C. Although the number of hours of sunshine during the growing season, a factor which significantly determines quality, is up to 1 500 hours, under the climatic conditions of the region the paprika will never ripen here to the same extent as in countries experiencing a lot of sunshine; at harvest time the paprika pods have a residual sugar content. The condensation reaction between part of these sugars and the pod’s protein content, the caramelisation of the sugar caused by the drying and grinding process and the oils in the seeds create the deep colour that characterises ‘Kalocsai fűszerpaprika-őrlemény’ and the sweet and fruity taste reflects harmony of pentatonic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and hot).

This is also where the likelihood of late spring and early autumn frosts is the lowest, providing the indispensable frostless environment necessary for paprika production.

The Hungarian Patent Office registered the designation of origin on 30 November 1998 (registration number: 26) and, pursuant to the Lisbon Agreement, the Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organisation entered it on the international register of designations of origin on 6 May 1969 (registration number: 501).

4.7.   Inspection body:

| Name: | Mezőgazdasági Szakigazgatási Hivatal Központ, Élelmiszer- és Takarmánybiztonsági Igazgatóság (Central Agriculture Administration Office, Food and Feed Safety Directorate) |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | Budapest |
| Mester u. 81. |
| 1095 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |

Name:

Mezőgazdasági Szakigazgatási Hivatal Központ, Élelmiszer- és Takarmánybiztonsági Igazgatóság (Central Agriculture Administration Office, Food and Feed Safety Directorate)

Address:

Budapest

Mester u. 81.

1095

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Tel.

+36 4563012

E-mail:

etbi@mgszh.gov.hu

and the regional offices of the Mezőgazdasági Szakigazgatási Hivatal listed in the product description.

4.8.   Labelling:

—

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

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