# Official Journal C 35/2017

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 35 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 603 February 2017 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 35

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 603 February 2017

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 35/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8307 — EP Investment/EP Investment II/EPH) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2017/C 35/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8316 — Advent/Brammer) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2017/C 35/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8307 — EP Investment/EP Investment II/EPH) (
  1
  )

1

1

2017/C 35/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8316 — Advent/Brammer) (
  1
  )

1

1

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 35/03 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| 2017/C 35/04 | Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union | 3 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2017/C 35/03

Euro exchange rates

2

2017/C 35/04

Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union

3

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 35/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8357 — Asahi/AB InBev CEE Divestment Business) (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2017/C 35/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8196 — INEOS/Arkema Assets) (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2017/C 35/07 | Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2) point (a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 6 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2017/C 35/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8357 — Asahi/AB InBev CEE Divestment Business) (
  1
  )

1

4

2017/C 35/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8196 — INEOS/Arkema Assets) (
  1
  )

1

5

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2017/C 35/07

Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2) point (a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

6

---

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (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

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8307 — EP Investment/EP Investment II/EPH)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 35/01)

On 23 January 2017, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) 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 32017M8307. 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 32017M8307. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8316 — Advent/Brammer)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 35/02)

On 20 January 2017, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) 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 32017M8316. 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 32017M8316. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/2

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

2 February 2017

(2017/C 35/03)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0808 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 121,40 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4378 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,86068 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,4183 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0690 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,8575 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,022 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 308,85 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,3071 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,5328 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 4,0387 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4060 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4050 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,3863 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,4763 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5232 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 234,22 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 14,4742 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,4377 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4495 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 431,38 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7815 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 53,705 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 64,3505 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,893 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,3659 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 22,2623 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 72,6640 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0808

JPY

Japanese yen

121,40

DKK

Danish krone

7,4378

GBP

Pound sterling

0,86068

SEK

Swedish krona

9,4183

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0690

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,8575

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,022

HUF

Hungarian forint

308,85

PLN

Polish zloty

4,3071

RON

Romanian leu

4,5328

TRY

Turkish lira

4,0387

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4060

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4050

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,3863

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,4763

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5232

KRW

South Korean won

1 234,22

ZAR

South African rand

14,4742

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,4377

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4495

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 431,38

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7815

PHP

Philippine peso

53,705

RUB

Russian rouble

64,3505

THB

Thai baht

37,893

BRL

Brazilian real

3,3659

MXN

Mexican peso

22,2623

INR

Indian rupee

72,6640

---

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

---

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/3

---

Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union

(2017/C 35/04)

Pursuant to the second indent of Article 9(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 (1), the Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union (2) are hereby amended as follows:

On page 368 the following text is inserted:

| ‘8802 11 00 | Of an unladen weight not exceeding 2 000 kg

  This subheading covers multi-rotor helicopters (so-called “drones”) of different sizes which can operate autonomously (to a pre-programmed destination) or are remotely piloted by the user.
  However, if they have the character of toys or recreational models, they are classified under heading 9503. See the Explanatory notes to the Combined Nomenclature to that heading.’ |
| --- | --- |

‘8802 11 00

Of an unladen weight not exceeding 2 000 kg

This subheading covers multi-rotor helicopters (so-called “drones”) of different sizes which can operate autonomously (to a pre-programmed destination) or are remotely piloted by the user.

However, if they have the character of toys or recreational models, they are classified under heading 9503. See the Explanatory notes to the Combined Nomenclature to that heading.’

On page 381:

On page 381:

| 9503 00 | Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (‘scale’) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds


  the text: ‘2. Inflatable boats designed for children to play in.’

  is replaced by the following:








  ‘2. | Inflatable boats designed for children to play in; |
| --- | --- | --- |

9503 00

9503 00

Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (‘scale’) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds

Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (‘scale’) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds

the text: ‘2. Inflatable boats designed for children to play in.’

the text

is replaced by the following:

is replaced by the following:

‘2.

Inflatable boats designed for children to play in;

| 3. | Multi-rotor helicopters (so-called “drones”) of different sizes. They can be distinguished from articles of heading 8802 for example by reference to their low weight, the limited height, distance or time they can fly, their maximum speed, their inability to fly autonomously or the inability to carry a load/cargo.
  They are remotely controlled in an easy way and are not equipped with sophisticated electronic apparatus (e.g. Global Positioning Systems, night flight requirements/nocturnal visibility).’ |
| --- | --- |

3.

Multi-rotor helicopters (so-called “drones”) of different sizes. They can be distinguished from articles of heading 8802 for example by reference to their low weight, the limited height, distance or time they can fly, their maximum speed, their inability to fly autonomously or the inability to carry a load/cargo.

They are remotely controlled in an easy way and are not equipped with sophisticated electronic apparatus (e.g. Global Positioning Systems, night flight requirements/nocturnal visibility).’

---

(1)  Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1).

1

(2)  OJ C 76, 4.3.2015, p. 1.

2

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/4

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8357 — Asahi/AB InBev CEE Divestment Business)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 35/05)

| 1. | On 26 January 2017, 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 Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd (‘Asahi Group’, Japan) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the business comprising certain brands and assets currently belonging to Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA (‘AB InBev’, Belgium) in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia (the ‘AB InBev CEE Business’) by way of purchase of shares and assets. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 26 January 2017, 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 Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd (‘Asahi Group’, Japan) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the business comprising certain brands and assets currently belonging to Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA (‘AB InBev’, Belgium) in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia (the ‘AB InBev CEE Business’) by way of purchase of shares and assets.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for the Asahi Group: alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages and food products, the core of its business being beer,
  —   for the AB InBev CEE Business: certain beer brands and assets currently belonging to AB InBev in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for the Asahi Group: alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages and food products, the core of its business being beer,

—   for the AB InBev CEE Business: certain beer brands and assets currently belonging to AB InBev in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8357 — Asahi/AB InBev CEE Divestment Business, to the following address:





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

4.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8357 — Asahi/AB InBev CEE Divestment Business, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

---

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/5

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8196 — INEOS/Arkema Assets)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 35/06)

| 1. | On 26 January 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of the Merger Regulation by which INEOS Chemical Holdings Luxembourg SA, controlled by INEOS Group AG (‘INEOS’, Switzerland), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Oxochimie SA and certain other assets, currently owned by Arkema (together referred to as ‘Arkema Assets’, France) by way of purchase of shares and purchase of assets. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 26 January 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of the Merger Regulation by which INEOS Chemical Holdings Luxembourg SA, controlled by INEOS Group AG (‘INEOS’, Switzerland), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Oxochimie SA and certain other assets, currently owned by Arkema (together referred to as ‘Arkema Assets’, France) by way of purchase of shares and purchase of assets.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   INEOS: manufacturing of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products, including oxo-alcohols (such as Butyraldehydes, Butanol and 2-Ethylhexanol) and their derivative solvents (such as Butyl Acetate and Butyl Glycol Ethers), active globally,
  —   Arkema Assets: production and supply of oxo-alcohols in the EEA. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   INEOS: manufacturing of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products, including oxo-alcohols (such as Butyraldehydes, Butanol and 2-Ethylhexanol) and their derivative solvents (such as Butyl Acetate and Butyl Glycol Ethers), active globally,

—   Arkema Assets: production and supply of oxo-alcohols in the EEA.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8196 — INEOS/Arkema Assets, to the following address:





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

4.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8196 — INEOS/Arkema Assets, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 3.2.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 35/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.2.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 35/6

---

Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2) point (a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2017/C 35/07)

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

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

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

‘CONNEMARA HILL LAMB’/‘UAIN SLÉIBHE CHONAMARA’

EU No: IE-PGI-0105-01291 — 12.12.2014

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

| Name | : | Connemara Hill Lamb |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Address | : | Connemara Hill Lamb Ltd, Corr na Mona, Co. Galway, Ireland |
| Tel. | : | +353 949548798 |
| Email | : | connemarahilllamb@eircom.net |

Name

:

Connemara Hill Lamb

Address

:

Connemara Hill Lamb Ltd, Corr na Mona, Co. Galway, Ireland

Tel.

:

+353 949548798

Email

:

connemarahilllamb@eircom.net

Legitimate interest:

The applicant is the same as the original applicant. Connemara Hill Lamb is a group of producers and processors of the product in question.

2.   Member State or Third Country

Ireland

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

| — | ☐ | Name of product |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☒ | Description of product |
| — | ☐ | Geographical area |
| — | ☒ | Proof of origin |
| — | ☒ | Method of production |
| — | ☒ | Link |
| — | ☐ | Labelling |
| — | ☒ | Other (Updating contact information) |

—

☐

Name of product

—

☒

Description of product

—

☐

Geographical area

—

☒

Proof of origin

—

☒

Method of production

—

☒

Link

—

☐

Labelling

—

☒

Other (Updating contact information)

4.   Type of amendment(s)

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

—

☒

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

—

☐

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

5.   Amendment(s)

Description

Summary:

The product to be protected is Connemara Hill Lamb, which are bred, born and reared in the designated geographical region. The lambs are light in body-weight and bone and the carcass is lean with a light cover of fat, rose-red in colour and has a solid deep texture.

Description and reasoning:

‘Light cover’ is expanded to ‘light cover of fat’ for clarity as the term ‘cover’ may not be readily understood by non-specialists.

Proof of origin

Summary:

References to consumption of Connemara Hill Lamb can be traced to the early 19th century, when the blackface stock were introduced from Scotland. During the immediate post-famine years 1850/1870 significant quantities of blackface sheep were imported from Scotland for grazing on hill land. The Congested Districts Board established in 1891 made further importations in order to improve the breed. The breed has since evolved into a distinctive strain and has adapted to survive the rugged conditions of Connemara. The blackface breed is particularly suited to the terrain of the area given its ability to forage better than other breeds. In order to ensure full traceability from farm to slaughter all lambs are affixed with a special ear tag and carcass swing tag.

Description and reasoning:

The amendments provide greater detail on the appearance of the lambs as blackface or brecked (from breac meaning speckled in Gaelic, the Irish language).

Method of production

Summary:

The meat is from lambs of the blackface breed, born and raised in the designated geographical area. Lambs are born in the spring, generally from April onwards (later than other Irish lamb) and are suckled by the ewe throughout their lives. The lambs are left free to graze on the hilly habitat and are generally slaughtered from 14 weeks. Some lambs are slaughtered from 10 weeks.

Description and reasoning:

The amendments in the method of production correct an error in the original specification, which mistakenly indicated that lambs were generally slaughtered at 14 weeks instead of making it clear that this was generally the minimum age at which slaughter took place, with the maximum age for slaughtering being limited to no older than 32 weeks. The natural lactating period is up to 16 weeks and as lambs are also free to graze on the hilly habitat, slaughter may take place at a later age.

Link

Summary:

Lambs are born in the spring, generally from April onwards (later than other Irish lambs) and are suckled on the ewe for natural lactating period of up to 16 weeks or throughout their lives. The lambs are left free to graze on the hilly habitat and are generally slaughtered from 14 weeks with a maximum slaughter time of 32 weeks. Some lambs are slaughtered from 10 weeks. The rugged terrain means that the lambs are more agile than their lowland counterparts hence carcass composition is smaller, weighing 9 kg to 20 kg compared to 25 kg for lowland lambs.

Description and reasoning:

The full application submitted to the Commission as part of the Connemara Hill Lamb dossier and which was published on the DOOR database contained a weight range of 9-18 kg. A single figure of 10 kg was however included in error instead of a weight range in the original published summary. The upper limit of 18 kg is being increased to 20 kg to take account of increase in lamb size over a decade due to destocking, primarily for environmental reasons and control of bracken which improved flora in the area.

In the period 2005 to 2014 County Galway saw a decrease of 112 000 in the sheep population from 509 074 to 397 989 (Department’s annual sheep census). Choice of sire has also allowed for the production of a better type and heavier lamb. (Farmers have choice of sire, e.g. Galway/Mayo blackface/brecked, Texel, Suffolk, Beltex, Charlois, etc.)

Other: (Updating contact information)

(Responsible Department in Member State)

| Name | : | Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Address | : | Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. |
| Tel. | : | +353 16072371 |
| Fax | : | +353 16072038 |
| Email | : | geographicalIndications@agriculture.gov.ie |

Name

:

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Address

:

Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel.

:

+353 16072371

Fax

:

+353 16072038

Email

:

geographicalIndications@agriculture.gov.ie

Description and reasoning:

The Department title changed in 2011 to include ‘the Marine’.

Other: (Concise description of geographical area)

(Geographical area)

Summary:

The geographical area is that west of the Corrib Basin including the islands of Inishmaan, Inisheer and Inishmore and represents an area in the west of Ireland known internationally as Connemara. The landscape of this area is characterised by its mountains, bogs and lakes. The lambs are reared in the mountainous terrain where they graze on mountain grass, heathers and herbs.

Description and reasoning:

The amendments give greater clarity to the boundaries of the geographical area and include islands which were not specifically named in the original application but are within the geographical range, i.e. west of the mainland area.

Other: (Updating contact information)

(Inspection body)

| Name | : | Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Address | : | Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. |
| Tel. | : | +353 16072371 |
| Fax | : | +353 16072038 |
| Email | : | geographicalIndications@agriculture.gov.ie |

Name

:

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Address

:

Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel.

:

+353 16072371

Fax

:

+353 16072038

Email

:

geographicalIndications@agriculture.gov.ie

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘CONNEMARA HILL LAMB’/‘UAIN SLÉIBHE CHONAMARA’

EU No: IE-PGI-0105-01291 — 12.12.2014

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name(s)

‘Connemara Hill Lamb’/‘Uain Sléibhe Chonamara’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Ireland

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

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

Connemara Hill Lamb is the meat from lambs of the blackface/brecked breed dam, born and raised in a Connemara Mayo blackface/brecked ewe flock and on land farmed within the geographical area. The lambs are light in body-weight and bone and the carcass is lean with a light cover of fat, the meat is rose-red in colour and has a solid deep texture. The lamb has a natural succulent flavour and taste with a very pronounced aroma. It is available from July to January (occasionally from June).

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

No intensive feeding takes place as lambs are raised extensively on grassland within the geographical area, according to traditional husbandry practices of Connemara sheep farming. Additional feeding may only take place on occasions where feed is necessary due to lack of vegetation, adverse weather conditions or lack of growth of lambs, with Department of Agriculture approved feed utilised to supplement grass pasture.

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

The meat is from lambs of the blackface/brecked breed dam, bred, born and raised in the designated geographical area.

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

—

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

The geographical indication ‘Connemara Hill Lamb’ or ‘Uain Sléibhe Chonamara’ must appear on carcases, parts of carcases or cuts in combination with the PGI symbol.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area is that west of the Corrib Basin from Galway city to Westport including the Aran Islands (Inishmaan, Inisheer, Inishmore) Inishshark, Omey, Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clare Island and all uninhabited islands which represent an area in the west of Ireland known internationally as Connemara.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

The landscape of this area is characterised by its mountains, bogs and lakes. The lambs are reared in the mountainous terrain where they graze on mountain grass, heathers and herbs.

The main constituents are the grasses Agrostis spp., Festuca spp. and Molina, the sedges Carex spp., Scipus cespitosus, Eriophorum angustifolium and Trichophurum cespitosum. Other important plants in the diet are the heathers Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix and Erica cinerea and the plants Nartecium ossifragum and Potentilla erecta.

Specificity of the product

The blackface/brecked breed is particularly suited to the terrain of the area given its ability to forage better than other breeds

The rugged terrain means that the lambs are more agile than their lowland counterparts hence carcass composition is smaller, weighing 9 kg to 20 kg compared to 25 kg for lowland lambs.

Lambs are born in the spring, generally from April onwards (later than other Irish lambs) and are suckled on the ewe for the natural lactating period of up to 16 weeks or throughout their lives. The lambs are left free to graze on the hilly habitat and are generally slaughtered from 14 weeks with a maximum slaughter time of 32 weeks. Some lambs are slaughtered at 10 weeks.

Causal link between the geographical origin and, where appropriate, a given quality, the reputation or other characteristic

Given quality: The taste, flavour and colour of Connemara Hill Lamb are directly linked to the local flora on which the lambs grazed. The diet is mountain grass, heathers and herbs, common to the area of production.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/gi/pdopgitsg-protectedfoodnames/products/

---

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

---