# Official Journal C 130/2018

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 130 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6112 April 2018 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 130

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6112 April 2018

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 130/01 3/Oxalis | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8809 — Prime Credit 3/Oxalis Holding/Lennon/Tavani/Lo Giudice/Phoenix Asset Management) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 130/01 3/Oxalis

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8809 — Prime Credit 3/Oxalis Holding/Lennon/Tavani/Lo Giudice/Phoenix Asset Management) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 130/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 130/02

Euro exchange rates

2

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | COURT PROCEEDINGS |
| | EFTA Court |
| 2018/C 130/03 | Judgment of the Court of 21 December 2017 in Case E-5/17 — Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v The Icelandic Patent Office (Einkaleyfastofan) (Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 — Medicinal products — Supplementary protection certificate — Certificate of negative duration) | 3 |
| 2018/C 130/04 | Order of the Court of 22 December 2017 in Case E-1/17 — Konkurrenten.no AS v EFTA Surveillance Authority (Absolute bar to proceeding with a case — State aid — Decision to close formal investigation procedure) | 4 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 130/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8735 — Geely/Saxo Bank) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 130/06 | Publication of an application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 7 |

V   Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

2018/C 130/03

Judgment of the Court of 21 December 2017 in Case E-5/17 — Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v The Icelandic Patent Office (Einkaleyfastofan) (Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 — Medicinal products — Supplementary protection certificate — Certificate of negative duration)

(Einkaleyfastofan) (Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 — Medicinal products — Supplementary protection certificate — Certificate of negative duration)

3

2018/C 130/04

Order of the Court of 22 December 2017 in Case E-1/17 — Konkurrenten.no AS v EFTA Surveillance Authority (Absolute bar to proceeding with a case — State aid — Decision to close formal investigation procedure)

(Absolute bar to proceeding with a case — State aid — Decision to close formal investigation procedure)

4

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 130/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8735 — Geely/Saxo Bank) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

5

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2018/C 130/06

Publication of an application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

7

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 12.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 130/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 130/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8809 — Prime Credit 3/Oxalis Holding/Lennon/Tavani/Lo Giudice/Phoenix Asset Management)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 130/01)

On 27 March 2018, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8809. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8809. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

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

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 12.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 130/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 130/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

11 April 2018

(2018/C 130/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2384 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 132,26 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4449 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87360 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,2863 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1855 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 121,60 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,6213 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,323 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 311,74 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1915 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,6627 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 5,1832 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5980 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5625 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,7212 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6812 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,6204 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 324,61 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 14,9678 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,7815 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4260 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 17 046,58 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7982 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 64,379 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 80,0075 |
| THB | Thai baht | 38,601 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,2333 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 22,6527 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 80,8735 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2384

JPY

Japanese yen

132,26

DKK

Danish krone

7,4449

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87360

SEK

Swedish krona

10,2863

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1855

ISK

Iceland króna

121,60

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,6213

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,323

HUF

Hungarian forint

311,74

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1915

RON

Romanian leu

4,6627

TRY

Turkish lira

5,1832

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5980

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5625

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,7212

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6812

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,6204

KRW

South Korean won

1 324,61

ZAR

South African rand

14,9678

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,7815

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4260

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

17 046,58

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7982

PHP

Philippine peso

64,379

RUB

Russian rouble

80,0075

THB

Thai baht

38,601

BRL

Brazilian real

4,2333

MXN

Mexican peso

22,6527

INR

Indian rupee

80,8735

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

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V Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

| 12.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 130/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 130/3

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 21 December 2017

in Case E-5/17

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v The Icelandic Patent Office (Einkaleyfastofan)

(Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 — Medicinal products — Supplementary protection certificate — Certificate of negative duration)

(2018/C 130/03)

In Case E-5/17, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v The Icelandic Patent Office (Einkaleyfastofan) — REQUEST to the Court under Article 34 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice by the Supreme Court of Iceland (Hæstiréttur Íslands) concerning the interpretation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 of 18 June 1992 concerning the creation of a supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products, the Court, composed of Carl Baudenbacher, President, Per Christiansen (Judge-Rapporteur), and Páll Hreinsson, Judges, gave judgment on 21 December 2017, the operative part of which is as follows:

Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 permits the issuing of a supplementary protection certificate where the period that has elapsed between the date on which the basic patent application was lodged and the date of the first marketing authorisation in the EEA is less than five years. This result is not affected by the fact that the Joint Committee Decision incorporating Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006 and Regulation (EC) No 469/2009 into the EEA Agreement has not entered into force.

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| 12.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 130/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 130/4

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ORDER OF THE COURT

of 22 December 2017

in Case E-1/17

Konkurrenten.no AS v EFTA Surveillance Authority

(Absolute bar to proceeding with a case — State aid — Decision to close formal investigation procedure)

(2018/C 130/04)

In Case E-1/17, Konkurrenten.no AS v EFTA Surveillance Authority — APPLICATION under the second paragraph of Article 36 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice for the annulment of EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 179/15/COL of 7 May 2015 closing a formal investigation concerning State aid granted to Nettbuss Sør AS, which was published in EEA Supplement no. 59/1 to the Official Journal on 27 October 2016, the Court, composed of, Carl Baudenbacher, President, Per Christiansen (Judge-Rapporteur) and Páll Hreinsson, Judges, gave order of 22 December 2017, the operative part of which is as follows:

| 1. | The application is dismissed as inadmissible. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The application is dismissed as inadmissible.

| 2. | Konkurrenten.no AS is to bear its own costs, and the costs incurred by the EFTA Surveillance Authority, the County of Aust-Agder and Nettbuss AS. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Konkurrenten.no AS is to bear its own costs, and the costs incurred by the EFTA Surveillance Authority, the County of Aust-Agder and Nettbuss AS.

| 3. | The Kingdom of Norway bears its own costs. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The Kingdom of Norway bears its own costs.

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 12.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 130/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 130/5

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8735 — Geely/Saxo Bank)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 130/05)

| 1. | On 28 March 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Geely Financials Denmark A/S (‘Geely’, Denmark), belonging to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd (‘Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’, China), |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 28 March 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Geely Financials Denmark A/S (‘Geely’, Denmark), belonging to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd (‘Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’, China),

| — | Saxo Bank A/S (‘Saxo Bank’, Denmark). |
| --- | --- |

—

Saxo Bank A/S (‘Saxo Bank’, Denmark).

Geely acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Saxo Bank.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   Geely: part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, a Chinese multinational automotive manufacturing company. It sells passenger cars under the Geely and Volvo brands and taxis under the London Taxi brand,
  —   Saxo Bank: an online Danish investment bank offering online trading and investment services worldwide and banking services in Denmark. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   Geely: part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, a Chinese multinational automotive manufacturing company. It sells passenger cars under the Geely and Volvo brands and taxis under the London Taxi brand,

—   Saxo Bank: an online Danish investment bank offering online trading and investment services worldwide and banking services in Denmark.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit 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. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8735 — Geely/Saxo Bank
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8735 — Geely/Saxo Bank

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 12.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 130/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 130/7

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Publication of an application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2018/C 130/06)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A MINOR AMENDMENT

Application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council
   (2)

‘CANINO’

EU No: PDO-IT-01506-AM01 — 28.11.2017

PDO ( X ) PGI ( ) TSG ( )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

Oleificio Sociale Cooperativo di Canino with its registered office at Via Montalto 48, 01011 Canino (VT), Italy. The cooperative is made up of producers and is entitled to submit an amendment application pursuant to Article 13(1) of Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy Decree No 12511 of 14 October 2013.

2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy

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

| — | ☐ | Description of product |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☐ | Proof of origin |
| — | ☒ | Production method |
| — | ☐ | Link |
| — | ☐ | Labelling |
| — | ☒ | Other: The word ‘controlled’ has been replaced by the more correct word ‘protected’. A specific article on proof of origin, which was not present in the specification in force, has been added. A specific article on the link, which was not present in the specification in force, has been added. The option of marketing the product in ceramic containers has been added. The articles of the specification have been renumbered. |

—

☐

Description of product

—

☐

Proof of origin

—

☒

Production method

—

☐

Link

—

☐

Labelling

—

☒

Other: The word ‘controlled’ has been replaced by the more correct word ‘protected’. A specific article on proof of origin, which was not present in the specification in force, has been added. A specific article on the link, which was not present in the specification in force, has been added. The option of marketing the product in ceramic containers has been added. The articles of the specification have been renumbered.

4.   Type of amendment(s)

| — | ☐ | Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires no amendment to the published single document. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☐ | Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires an amendment to the published single document. |
| — | ☒ | Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, for which a single document (or equivalent) has not been published. |
| — | ☐ | Amendment to product specification of registered TSG to be qualified as minor in accordance with the fourth subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. |

—

☐

Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires no amendment to the published single document.

—

☐

Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires an amendment to the published single document.

—

☒

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

—

☐

Amendment to product specification of registered TSG to be qualified as minor in accordance with the fourth subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

5.   Amendment(s)

Production method

It is proposed to delete the paragraph relating to planting distances and growing and pruning methods.

The deleted paragraph reads as follows:

‘The planting distances and the growing and pruning methods must be those generally used or, in any case, they must not affect the characteristics of the olives or the oil.’

This amendment is justified as this is a generic sentence. It does not specify any details with regard to planting distances or pruning methods, and therefore adds nothing to the product specification. The amendment is to be considered minor, as deleting this paragraph does not change the growing and pruning methods, but serves to streamline the product specification.

The maximum number of trees per hectare of olive groves has been increased from 300 to 700.

Thus the current wording:

‘In particular, in addition to the traditional growing methods, under which mixed olive groves have a planting density of up to 60 trees per hectare, other growing methods are permitted for specialised olive groves with a planting density of up to 300 trees per hectare.’

has been replaced as follows:

‘In particular, in addition to the traditional growing methods, under which mixed olive groves have a planting density of up to 60 trees per hectare, other growing methods are permitted for specialised olive groves with a planting density of up to 700 trees per hectare.’

This amendment stems from the need to adapt olive-growing in the defined area to a more professional type of management capable of combining olive-growing tradition with the profitability of businesses in the sector. Years of testing have shown that in the territory covered by the PDO, bearing in mind the varieties of olive trees used, a density of 700 trees per hectare does not affect the product’s unique physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics set out in the product specification, but reduces plantation management costs, thereby increasing the holdings’ profitability.

The maximum output per hectare has been increased from 9 to 12 tonnes per hectare, and the maximum output in combined or mixed groves has been specified.

Thus the current wording:

‘The maximum output of olives per hectare may not exceed 9 000 kg in specialised olive groves.’

has been replaced as follows:

‘The maximum output of olives per hectare is 12 tonnes in specialised olive groves, while in mixed groves the maximum production of olives per tree may not exceed 0,15 tonnes.’

The maximum output per hectare has risen to 12 tonnes due to the increase in the maximum number of trees per hectare.

Furthermore, it has become clear over the years that the maximum yield laid down in the specification was an underestimation, in that it was considered to be an average value that did not account for the fact that some cultivars grown in the area form large, rather strong trees subject to biennial bearing. This results in a cyclical output which remains limited for one or more years, followed by a year in which the accumulated reserves push output to rather high levels.

The specification also now states the maximum yield per single tree for mixed olive groves, which does away with the need to perform calculations based on the actual surface area under olives.

The amendments set out above are to be considered minor as they do not relate to the essential characteristics of the product or come under any of the cases set out in Article 53(2) of the Regulation.

The starting date for harvesting has been brought forward.

Thus the current wording:

‘The olives are harvested between 10 October and 15 January of each olive crop year.’

has been replaced as follows:

‘The olives are harvested between 1 October and 31 December of each olive crop year.’

The olive harvesting period has been brought forward due to various factors, primarily relating to the environment and the climate, ongoing changes in which are causing early ripening.

Furthermore, from an agricultural point of view, it is now recognised that quality of the oil improves if the harvest takes place earlier. Finally, from a plant health point of view, an early harvest minimises the qualitative and quantitative damage caused by flies.

The above amendment is to be considered minor on the basis of Article 53(2) of the Regulation.

The final two paragraphs have been deleted as they are no longer in line with the legislation, and as the checks to ensure that the product is compliant with the specification are carried out by the public authority designated in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

The deleted paragraphs are as follows:

‘The olives must be declared in accordance with the procedure set out in Ministerial Decree No 573 of 4 November 1993 on the implementing rules for Law No 169 of 5 February 1992 by the deadline laid down for the entire harvest.

However, during harvesting operations, it is permitted to request a provisional certificate for the product already obtained by providing the required documentation and reporting the details of the operation in the final production declaration.’

Other

Other

The articles of the specification have been renumbered, as articles which do not appear in the specification in force have been added.

The word ‘controlled’ has been replaced by the more correct word ‘protected’.

A specific article on proof of origin, which was not present in the specification in force, has been added.

‘Article 4

Proof of origin

Each phase of the production process is monitored, recording the respective inputs and outputs. The traceability of the product is ensured by entering the olive-growers (agricultural holdings), millers and packagers in special registers managed by the inspection body. All natural and legal persons entered in the relevant registers are subject to checks by the inspection body, according to the terms of the specification and the corresponding inspection plan.’

A specific article on the link has been added, which is not present in the specification in force but is present in the summary sheet sent to the Commission.

‘Article 7

Link with the geographical area

Olive-growing in this area, which was the cradle of the Etruscan civilisation, goes back to ancient times. Olive trees grow wild here, and have provided many place names still in use, such as “Poggio Olivastro”. As far back as Etruscan times, people would gather the fruit of these trees, knocking them loose from the branches using long sticks, as evidenced by vase paintings and tomb frescoes.

The centuries-old olive trees, which have grown to a great, majestic size, comparable to oaks, are evidence of the local inhabitants’ ancient tradition of olive-growing, and the gently rolling landscape is characterised by their silvery-green colour. More recently the Canino area formed part of the estate of Prince Torlonia, until the 1950s when the land was given to the peasants as part of the land reform. With the arrival of the agricultural reform, olive-growing expanded rapidly. In a short space of time, the estate’s bare terrain was transformed into a verdant expanse of new olive groves.

Later, in the 1960s, a great change in olive-growing began with the introduction of the concept of specialised intensive olive groves.

In Canino alone, 694 hectares of olive groves were planted using this system.

In 1965, the Cooperative Oil Mill of Canino was promoted and founded on the initiative of the local land reform body Ente Maremma. The cooperative now has around 1 140 members, who produce over 60 % of the area’s total output.

Canino, cradle of the Etruscan civilisation, owes its fame to the olive, which has always been a fundamental part of its economy. A village of Etruscan origin, in the Middle Ages Canino was part of the Papal States. Later it came under the rule of the Duchy of Castro. After returning to the Papal States, in 1808 it was granted in fee to Lucien Bonaparte, who lived in the palace built by the Farnese family. The Canino coat of arms is represented by a dog, in reference to the name of the locality, and by the three fleurs-de-lis of the Farnese family. The spread of olive-growing was made easier by the fact that the oil produced in Canino was of renowned quality and had always been known on oil markets. Canino and its oil were the subject of an important epidemiological study in the 1970s conducted by a team of researchers led by Professor Ancel Keys. The results showed that the rural inhabitants of Canino, who habitually consume the extra virgin olive oil produced in the area, are better protected against the risk of thrombosis than people in Finland and America who normally consume animal fats. Popular tradition has raised the profile of Canino extra virgin olive oil through the Sagra dell’olivo olive festival, a rural event which began in 1939 and which takes place every year on 8 December. Besides promoting the excellent quality of the oil, this event is an occasion for meetings and conferences among top experts in nutrition and technology. From 1989 to 1993 the Cooperative Oil Mill of Canino, along with the Regional Agricultural Development Board, conducted a careful characterisation study of local oil output. The Cooperative has also worked with the most important research agencies working on the development of olive-growing and olive processing techniques.

“Canino” PDO extra virgin olive oil is characterised both by its strong link with the production area referred to in Article 3, which has an unmistakeable influence on the product’s organoleptic and quality characteristics, and by its centuries-old reputation.

The area’s soil and climate characteristics, including volcanic soils with a pH level between 6,5 and 7,5, average annual temperatures between 15 °C and 16 °C tempered by the sea breeze of the Viterbo coast, and annual rainfall around 600-800 mm, all have a significant impact on the quality of “Canino” oil. The oil is harmonious and always balanced, has a mild fruitiness with herbaceous and/or artichoke notes, and is slightly bitter with sharp tones.

The olive tree is not only a productive resource in the area, but also characterises its landscape and environment. Expert olive-growers and millers have been able to adapt and modernise their growing and processing techniques, never failing to give the oil unique qualities which have always been highly valued by the most demanding of consumers.’

The option of marketing the product in ceramic containers has been added.

Thus the current wording:

‘“Canino” extra virgin olive oil must be packaged for release for consumption in glass or metallic containers with a maximum capacity of 5 litres.’

has been replaced as follows:

‘“Canino” extra virgin olive oil must be packaged for release for consumption in glass, ceramic or metallic containers with a maximum capacity of 5 litres.’

This amendment arises from the need for producers to be able to use containers especially suitable for gift packaging.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘CANINO’

‘CANINO’

EU No: PDO-IT-01506-AM01 — 28.11.2017

EU No: PDO-IT-01506-AM01 — 28.11.2017

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name(s)

Name(s)

‘Canino’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Type of product

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

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

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

When released for consumption, ‘Canino’ protected designation of origin extra virgin olive oil must have the following characteristics:

| — | colour: emerald green with golden highlights, |
| --- | --- |

—

colour: emerald green with golden highlights,

| — | aroma: fruity, reminiscent of healthy, fresh olives harvested at the optimum point of ripeness, |
| --- | --- |

—

aroma: fruity, reminiscent of healthy, fresh olives harvested at the optimum point of ripeness,

| — | flavour: strong, with a bitter, sharp aftertaste, |
| --- | --- |

—

flavour: strong, with a bitter, sharp aftertaste,

| — | total maximum acidity expressed as oleic acid: not exceeding 0,5 g per 100 g of oil, |
| --- | --- |

—

total maximum acidity expressed as oleic acid: not exceeding 0,5 g per 100 g of oil,

| — | peroxide value ≤ 10 mEq O2/kg. |
| --- | --- |

—

peroxide value ≤ 10 mEq O2/kg.

2

Other chemical/physical parameters that are not expressly mentioned must comply with legislation on extra virgin olive oil.

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

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

‘Canino’ protected designation of origin oil must be entirely or partially obtained from the following varieties of olive tree: Caninese and its derived clones, Leccino, Pendolino, Maurino and Frantoio, present in the olive groves either on their own or in combination. Other varieties present in the olive groves, accounting for not more than 5 %, may also be used.

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

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

All production steps (growing and harvesting the olives and extracting the oil) must take place within the defined geographical area.

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

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

In order to maintain the product’s specific characteristics throughout the production process and guarantee compliance with the quality chain, ‘Canino’ olive oil must always be packaged within the geographical production area defined in point 4. ‘Canino’ extra virgin olive oil must be packaged for release for consumption in glass, ceramic or metallic containers with a maximum capacity of 5 litres.

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

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

The label of the packaged product must indicate the following word in clear, indelible letters that are larger than all other writing: ‘Canino’. The word ‘Canino’ must be accompanied by the Union’s PDO symbol. The indication ‘denominazione di origine protetta’ (‘protected designation of origin’) or its acronym ‘DOP’ (‘PDO’) may appear on the label.

denominazione di origine protetta

DOP

It is forbidden to add any description that is not expressly provided for to the name ‘Canino’, including the following adjectives: fine (fine), scelto (choice), selezionato (selected), superiore (superior) or genuino (genuine).

fine

scelto

selezionato

superiore

genuino

The designation’s logo is shown below.

It is prohibited to use additional geographical references or geographical or topographical indications referring to municipalities, subdivisions of municipalities or geographical areas within the production area.

However, the use of names, company names and private brands is authorised, provided that they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser about geographical names, especially as regards geographical names referring to areas of oil production with a protected designation of origin.

It is permitted to use the names of holdings, estates and farms and to refer to packaging at an olive holding, at an association of olive holdings or at a business located in the production area, only if the product is made exclusively from olives harvested from olive groves belonging to the holding in question, and if the oil is extracted and packaged on the holding.

The name of the ‘Canino’ protected designation of origin must appear on the label in distinct, indelible lettering of a colour that strongly contrasts with that of the label itself and in such a way that it can be clearly distinguished from the other information given on the label.

The year of production of the olives from which the oil was made must be indicated on the label.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area includes all or part of the administrative territory of the following municipalities: Canino, Arlena di Castro, Cellere, Ischia di Castro, Farnese, Tessennano, Tuscania (part) and Montalto di Castro (part), all situated in the province of Viterbo.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

Olive-growing in this area, which was the cradle of the Etruscan civilisation, goes back to ancient times. Olive trees grow wild here, and have provided many place names still in use, such as ‘Poggio Olivastro’. As far back as Etruscan times, people would gather the fruit of these trees, knocking them loose from the branches using long sticks, as evidenced by vase paintings and tomb frescoes.

The centuries-old olive trees, which have grown to a great, majestic size, comparable to oaks, are evidence of the local inhabitants’ ancient tradition of olive-growing, and the gently rolling landscape is characterised by their silvery-green colour. More recently the Canino area formed part of the estate of Prince Torlonia, until the 1950s when the land was given to the peasants as part of the land reform. With the arrival of the agricultural reform, olive-growing expanded rapidly. In a short space of time, the estate’s bare terrain was transformed into a verdant expanse of new olive groves.

Later, in the 1960s, a great change in olive-growing began with the introduction of the concept of specialised intensive olive groves.

In Canino alone, 694 hectares of olive groves were planted using this system.

In 1965, the Cooperative Oil Mill of Canino was promoted and founded on the initiative of the local land reform body Ente Maremma. The cooperative now has around 1 140 members, who produce over 60 % of the area’s total output.

Canino, cradle of the Etruscan civilisation, owes its fame to the olive, which has always been a fundamental part of its economy. A village of Etruscan origin, in the Middle Ages Canino was part of the Papal States. Later it came under the rule of the Duchy of Castro. After returning to the Papal States, in 1808 it was granted in fee to Lucien Bonaparte, who lived in the palace built by the Farnese family. The Canino coat of arms is represented by a dog, in reference to the name of the locality, and by the three fleurs-de-lis of the Farnese family. The spread of olive-growing was made easier by the fact that the oil produced in Canino was of renowned quality and had always been known on oil markets. Canino and its oil were the subject of an important epidemiological study in the 1970s conducted by a team of researchers led by Professor Ancel Keys. The results showed that the rural inhabitants of Canino, who habitually consume the extra virgin olive oil produced in the area, are better protected against the risk of thrombosis than people in Finland and America who normally consume animal fats. Popular tradition has raised the profile of Canino extra virgin olive oil through the Sagra dell’olivo olive festival, a rural event which began in 1939 and which takes place every year on 8 December. Besides promoting the excellent quality of the oil, this event is an occasion for meetings and conferences among top experts in nutrition and technology. From 1989 to 1993 the Cooperative Oil Mill of Canino, along with the Regional Agricultural Development Board, conducted a careful characterisation study of local oil output. The Cooperative has also worked with the most important research agencies working on the development of olive-growing and olive processing techniques.

‘Canino’ PDO extra virgin olive oil is characterised both by its strong link with the geographical area, which has an unmistakeable influence on the product’s organoleptic and quality characteristics, and by its centuries-old reputation.

The area’s soil and climate characteristics, including volcanic soils with a pH level between 6,5 and 7,5, average annual temperatures between 15 °C and 16 °C tempered by the sea breeze of the Viterbo coast, and annual rainfall around 600-800 mm, all have a significant impact on the quality of ‘Canino’ oil. The oil is harmonious and always balanced, has a mild fruitiness with herbaceous and/or artichoke notes, and is slightly bitter with sharp tones.

The olive tree is not only a productive resource in the area, but also characterises its landscape and environment. Expert olive-growers and millers have been able to adapt and modernise their growing and processing techniques, never failing to give the oil unique qualities which have always been highly valued by the most demanding of consumers.

Reference to publication of the specification

Reference to publication of the specification

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

The full text of the product specification is available on the following website: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

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

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

1

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

2

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