# Official Journal C 309/2022

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 309 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6516 August 2022 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 309

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6516 August 2022

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 309/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10652 – MOL / LOTOS PALIWA) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2022/C 309/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10652 – MOL / LOTOS PALIWA) (
  1
  )

1

1

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 309/02 | Euro exchange rates — 12 August 2022 | 2 |
| 2022/C 309/03 | Euro exchange rates — 15 August 2022 | 3 |
| | Court of Auditors |
| 2022/C 309/04 | Opinion 03/2022
  (pursuant to Article 322(2), TFEU)
  concerning the Commission’s proposal for a Council Regulation on the methods and procedure for making available own resources based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and reallocated profits, and on the measures to meet cash requirements (2022/0071 (NLE)) | 4 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2022/C 309/05 | Announcement pursuant to Article 13 of Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions concerning the liquidation and subsequent winding-up of Cyprus Popular Bank Public CO LTD (Cypriot credit institution in liquidation) (the Company) | 5 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2022/C 309/02

Euro exchange rates — 12 August 2022

2

2022/C 309/03

Euro exchange rates — 15 August 2022

3

Court of Auditors

2022/C 309/04

Opinion 03/2022
  (pursuant to Article 322(2), TFEU)
  concerning the Commission’s proposal for a Council Regulation on the methods and procedure for making available own resources based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and reallocated profits, and on the measures to meet cash requirements (2022/0071 (NLE))

(pursuant to Article 322(2), TFEU)

4

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2022/C 309/05

Announcement pursuant to Article 13 of Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions concerning the liquidation and subsequent winding-up of Cyprus Popular Bank Public CO LTD (Cypriot credit institution in liquidation) (the Company)

5

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 309/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M-10865 – ASTORG / IPCOM) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 309/07 | Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 | 8 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2022/C 309/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M-10865 – ASTORG / IPCOM) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2022/C 309/07

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

8

---

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

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

EN

---

II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10652 – MOL / LOTOS PALIWA)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 309/01)

On 15 July 2022, 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 policy’ 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 policy’ 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 32022M10652. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10652. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

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

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/2

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

12 August 2022

(2022/C 309/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0285 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 137,47 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4395 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,84715 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,4515 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 0,9689 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 140,30 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,8130 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,380 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 392,30 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,6773 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,8915 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 18,4733 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4496 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3148 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,0600 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5985 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,4106 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 342,59 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,7318 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 6,9352 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5138 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 104,20 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,5709 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 57,246 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | |
| THB | Thai baht | 36,393 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 5,3007 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,4925 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 81,9935 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0285

JPY

Japanese yen

137,47

DKK

Danish krone

7,4395

GBP

Pound sterling

0,84715

SEK

Swedish krona

10,4515

CHF

Swiss franc

0,9689

ISK

Iceland króna

140,30

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,8130

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,380

HUF

Hungarian forint

392,30

PLN

Polish zloty

4,6773

RON

Romanian leu

4,8915

TRY

Turkish lira

18,4733

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4496

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3148

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,0600

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5985

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,4106

KRW

South Korean won

1 342,59

ZAR

South African rand

16,7318

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

6,9352

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5138

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 104,20

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,5709

PHP

Philippine peso

57,246

RUB

Russian rouble

THB

Thai baht

36,393

BRL

Brazilian real

5,3007

MXN

Mexican peso

20,4925

INR

Indian rupee

81,9935

---

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

---

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/3

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

15 August 2022

(2022/C 309/03)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0195 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 135,61 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4373 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,84375 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,4980 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 0,9631 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 140,30 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,8710 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,460 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 398,60 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,6858 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,8849 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 18,3143 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4508 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3167 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 7,9899 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6002 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,4036 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 336,35 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,7375 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 6,9050 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5028 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 042,36 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,5465 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 57,122 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | |
| THB | Thai baht | 36,218 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 5,2268 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,3914 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 81,0610 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0195

JPY

Japanese yen

135,61

DKK

Danish krone

7,4373

GBP

Pound sterling

0,84375

SEK

Swedish krona

10,4980

CHF

Swiss franc

0,9631

ISK

Iceland króna

140,30

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,8710

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,460

HUF

Hungarian forint

398,60

PLN

Polish zloty

4,6858

RON

Romanian leu

4,8849

TRY

Turkish lira

18,3143

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4508

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3167

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

7,9899

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6002

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,4036

KRW

South Korean won

1 336,35

ZAR

South African rand

16,7375

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

6,9050

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5028

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 042,36

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,5465

PHP

Philippine peso

57,122

RUB

Russian rouble

THB

Thai baht

36,218

BRL

Brazilian real

5,2268

MXN

Mexican peso

20,3914

INR

Indian rupee

81,0610

---

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

---

Court of Auditors

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/4

---

Opinion 03/2022

(pursuant to Article 322(2), TFEU)

concerning the Commission’s proposal for a Council Regulation on the methods and procedure for making available own resources based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and reallocated profits, and on the measures to meet cash requirements (2022/0071 (NLE))

(2022/C 309/04)

The European Court of Auditors has published its opinion 03/2022 (pursuant to Article 322(2), TFEU) concerning the Commission’s proposal for a Council Regulation on the methods and procedure for making available own resources based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and reallocated profits, and on the measures to meet cash requirements (2022/0071(NLE)).

The opinion can be consulted directly or downloaded at the European Court of Auditors’ website:

| | https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/DocItem.aspx?did=61904 |
| --- | --- |

https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/DocItem.aspx?did=61904

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/5

---

Announcement pursuant to Article 13 of Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions concerning the liquidation and subsequent winding-up of Cyprus Popular Bank Public CO LTD (Cypriot credit institution in liquidation) (the ‘Company’)

(2022/C 309/05)

Announcement regarding the proof of debt by creditors of the Company

Registered Office: Lemesos Avenue, 134, 3rd Floor, 2015, Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus

Pursuant to the decision of the District Court of Nicosia issued on 31 May 2022 in relation to application no. 1/2021 filed by the Central Bank of Cyprus under the provisions of article 33B of the Business of Credit Institutions Law, 66(Ι)/97, as amended to date, the Court has issued orders for the liquidation of the Company and my appointment as Liquidator.

Pursuant to the Order of the District Court of Nicosia dated 17 June 2022, an extension of the period in which creditors can prove their debts or claims has been granted up to and including 16 October 2022, as well as an extension of the period for the examination of the proof of debt of each creditor by the Liquidator,to 150 days from the date of submission of each proof of debt.

Furthermore, pursuant to the Order of the District Court of Nicosia dated 1 July 2022, the proof of debt process shall be carried out electronically. All creditors who have a claim against the Company and wish to submit their claim electronically, are requested to visit the following website https://registration.appadvisory.eu/register and follow the instructions for the submission of their details in order to receive unique login details for the liquidation’s Creditor Portal.

All relevant announcements for the liquidation will be published on the following website

https://www.ips-docs.com/case/22WUC009CYP/Gn8@pXmv

Augoustinos PAPATHOMAS

Liquidator

The liquidator acts as representative of the Company, without any personal liability

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M-10865 – ASTORG / IPCOM)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 309/06)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Astorg VIII SCSpl (‘Astorg Fund VIII’ or ‘Acquirer’, Luxembourg), which is managed by Astorg Asset Management S.à.r.l. (‘AAM’, Luxembourg), which in turn is controlled by Astorg Group S.á.r.l. (‘Astorg Group’, Luxembourg) (Astorg Group together with Astorg Fund VIII and other funds managed by AAM, ‘Astorg’); |
| --- | --- |

—

Astorg VIII SCSpl (‘Astorg Fund VIII’ or ‘Acquirer’, Luxembourg), which is managed by Astorg Asset Management S.à.r.l. (‘AAM’, Luxembourg), which in turn is controlled by Astorg Group S.á.r.l. (‘Astorg Group’, Luxembourg) (Astorg Group together with Astorg Fund VIII and other funds managed by AAM, ‘Astorg’);

| — | Isolstar Holding (‘IPCOM’, Belgium). |
| --- | --- |

—

Isolstar Holding (‘IPCOM’, Belgium).

Astorg will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of IPCOM.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | Astorg Fund VIII is part of Astorg, which is an independent European private equity firm. It also has offices in London, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, and New York. The funds belonging to the Astorg Group have invested in a broad range of industries, |
| --- | --- |

—

Astorg Fund VIII is part of Astorg, which is an independent European private equity firm. It also has offices in London, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, and New York. The funds belonging to the Astorg Group have invested in a broad range of industries,

| — | IPCOM is a European industrial player, headquartered in Belgium, specialized in insulation solutions, serving a wide range of industries e.g. construction, shipbuilding, process industry, energy, petrochemical, automotive, domestic appliances, etc. |
| --- | --- |

—

IPCOM is a European industrial player, headquartered in Belgium, specialized in insulation solutions, serving a wide range of industries e.g. construction, shipbuilding, process industry, energy, petrochemical, automotive, domestic appliances, etc.

3.

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

4.

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

M.10865 – ASTORG / IPCOM

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 |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

1

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

2

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 16.8.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 309/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.8.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 309/8

---

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

(2022/C 309/07)

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).

The application for approval of this minor amendment can be consulted in the Commission’s eAmbrosia database.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘PLÁTANO DE CANARIAS’

EU No: PGI-ES-0867-AM01 – 10.1.2022

PDO ( ) PGI ( X)

1.   Name

‘Plátano de Canarias’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

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

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

The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) ‘Plátano de Canarias’ covers bananas of the Cavendish variety of the species Musa acuminata Colla (AAA), grown in the Canary Islands to be eaten fresh after they have been prepared and packed.

The colour of the skin varies from green when they are harvested to bright yellow when eaten, while the pulp ranges from shades of marble white through cream to yellow.

However, it is the brown flecks on the skin that have become an identifying feature and one of the ways consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

The enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase are highly active in ‘Plátano de Canarias’, acting as catalysts in oxidation that leads to browning of the skin. This characteristic becomes apparent as the bananas ripen, with brown flecks appearing on the skin, or greater susceptibility to bruising. The brown flecks on the skin are the distinguishing feature of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, ‘famous for its flecks’.

‘Plátano de Canarias’ is oblong shaped with a pronounced curve, becoming narrower where it joins the stem.

Grading, which is mandatory, is on the basis of length and thickness of the fruit, the minimum values being 14 cm and 27 mm respectively.

The most important chemical properties of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are as follows:

| — | Starch below 8. |
| --- | --- |

—

Starch below 8.

| — | Total sugars higher than 10. |
| --- | --- |

—

Total sugars higher than 10.

Both the starch content and total sugar content are expressed in grams per 100 grams of ripe pulp.

The low starch content and high total sugar content are distinguishing features of the product.

The main distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are summarised below:

| — | Intense, sweet taste owing to the high sugar and low starch contents |
| --- | --- |

—

Intense, sweet taste owing to the high sugar and low starch contents

| — | Intense banana aroma (impacto plátano) resulting from the high isoamyl acetate and hexyl butanoate contents:
  It is 3-methylbutyl acetate or isoamyl acetate that gives the product its intense banana aroma (impacto a plátano). According to the studies available, the concentration of this compound is manifestly higher in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ than in bananas grown elsewhere. Likewise, ‘’Plátano de Canarias’ contains other compounds that are linked with the typical banana aroma, such as hexyl butanoate. However, this compound is imperceptible in bananas from elsewhere. |
| --- | --- |

—

Intense banana aroma (impacto plátano) resulting from the high isoamyl acetate and hexyl butanoate contents:

It is 3-methylbutyl acetate or isoamyl acetate that gives the product its intense banana aroma (impacto a plátano). According to the studies available, the concentration of this compound is manifestly higher in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ than in bananas grown elsewhere. Likewise, ‘’Plátano de Canarias’ contains other compounds that are linked with the typical banana aroma, such as hexyl butanoate. However, this compound is imperceptible in bananas from elsewhere.

| — | Typical dark flecks on the banana skin owing to high levels of activity of the enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, which act as catalysts in oxidation reactions that cause browning. |
| --- | --- |

—

Typical dark flecks on the banana skin owing to high levels of activity of the enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, which act as catalysts in oxidation reactions that cause browning.

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

—

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

‘Plátano de Canarias’ must be grown within the geographical area defined for the Protected Geographical Indication.

However, bananas covered by the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI may be ripened and packaged outside the defined geographical area.

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

—

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

The ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI name and logo must be clearly printed on the packaging, together with the European Union logo, and any other information generally required under the legislation in force.

The ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI logo is as follows:

Image 1

| — | Pantone 295 (blue), for the background of the oval. |
| --- | --- |

—

Pantone 295 (blue), for the background of the oval.

| — | Pantone 347 (green) for the banana leaves and the outline of the banana. |
| --- | --- |

—

Pantone 347 (green) for the banana leaves and the outline of the banana.

| — | Pantone 109 (yellow) for the banana. |
| --- | --- |

—

Pantone 109 (yellow) for the banana.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of production of the bananas covered by ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI is the archipelago of the Canary Islands and it comprises all agricultural land situated below 500 metres above sea level.

5.   Link with the geographical area

a)   Specificity of the geographical area

The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27o 37' and 29o 25' north. This location, combined with the trade winds and the cool Canary current, results in a climate classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.

The average temperatures are fairly uniform throughout the year. On the coast, the average is around 20 oC, but at higher altitudes temperatures drop significantly and the daily fluctuation increases.

The mild temperatures and wet winds that blow over the islands are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant and longer ripening time, and have a considerable impact on the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

b)   Specificity of the product

‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI bananas are oblong in shape, with a pronounced curve, a minimum length of 14 cm, a minimum thickness of 27 mm, an intense, sweet taste and brown flecks on the skin.

These flecks are the identifying feature and main characteristic whereby consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

Technically, the flecks on the skin are caused by the activity of certain specific enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase.

In the supporting study that accompanies the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI application, the data for these parameters for ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is compared to that for bananas grown elsewhere, and it is clear that the values for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are much higher than in bananas grown elsewhere and this is why ‘Plátano de Canarias’ bananas have many more flecks than other bananas, to the extent that they have become a distinguishing feature.

The same study examines the specificity of the product from a nutritional point of view, and comprehensive analysis of nutrients in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ and bananas grown in other parts of the world has revealed significant differences: ‘Plátano de Canarias’ contains less starch and more soluble sugars, which increases its sweetness. It also has more potassium and phosphorus and less sodium and calcium than bananas grown elsewhere. These important differences confirm the fact that ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is a different product compared to bananas grown in other parts of the world. (Forster et al. 2002).

c)   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality, reputation and renown of the name of ‘Plátano de Canarias’

The grounds for applying for registration of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ as a Protected Geographical Indication are the quality, reputation and renown of the name. Nevertheless, the typical ‘Plátano de Canarias’ came about through a combination of historical, natural and human factors.

The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27o 37' and 29o 25' north. This location has a decisive effect on the characteristics of the climate, which is classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.

The situation of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, in the centre of the subtropical band and to the west of the African continent, gives them specific climatic characteristics. The climate of the area where the archipelago is located results from the interaction of two sets of factors operating independently of one another. On the one hand, subtropical atmospheric dynamics, and on the other, the fact that most of the islands have a sharp relief, are bathed in a cool ocean current and situated near a continental land mass.

The Canary Islands are on the geographical limit for banana growing and at the climatological limit, as the plant needs a warm temperature of 25-27 °C. At 16 °C the plant is affected and below 14 °C it stops growing.

The banana tree cycle is defined by the accumulation of degree-days above 14 °C, and this is why the mild temperatures of the Canary Islands and the wet winds that blow over the archipelago are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant in comparison with banana crops in the tropics.

The longer growing time and longer ripening period (up to 3 more months on the plant) determine the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, low starch and high sugar content, with a predominance of sucrose.

These conditions also determine the enzyme activity, with high levels of catalytic activity that causes the fruit to brown. Brown flecks appear on the skin, which are the distinguishing sign of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, ‘famous for its flecks’.

The characteristics of the fruit are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as light, temperature, water, soil, relative humidity, wind, etc. All these variables affect the physiological development of the plant, giving it the specific characteristics described above.

The geographical location of the Canary Islands in relation to the mainland market means that transportation time is very short, compared to that for bananas from other parts of the world, which means that the fruit can be cut or harvested at a more advanced stage of ripeness and therefore with better organoleptic characteristics and that a better quality product reaches the consumer.

The reputation and renown of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ has been vouched for by many historical references in the press, literature, etc. Some examples from the press are set out below:

La Vanguardia newspaper, Wednesday 25 May 1921, page 11

‘...asks the Government to bring its influence to bear on the German authorities, so that they will authorise imports of Plátano de Canarias into Germany, which were prohibited months ago...’.

La Vanguardia newspaper, Tuesday 24 June 1930, page 32

‘Mr Matos, who understands how important banana production is to the Canary Islands, promised to ensure that his Ministry would do all it could to support this endeavour’.

La Vanguardia newspaper, Saturday 21 November 1970, page 8

‘The Plátano de Canarias promotion campaigns are starting again’.

Another example of the reputation and renown of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are the conclusions drawn from the Estudio del Mercado del Plátano en España y Portugal [study of the banana market in Spain and Portugal] carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 2002, where it was concluded that it can be categorically stated that an absolute majority of consumers, regardless of sex, age, social class and place of residence, like bananas, which they spontaneously and immediately associate with the Canary Islands.

Reference to publication of the product specification

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/cmsgobcan/export/sites/agp/icca/galerias/doc/calidad/PLIEGO-DE-CONDICIONES-MODIFICADO-1.pdf

---

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

1

---