# Official Journal C 408/2019

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 408 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 624 December 2019 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 408

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 624 December 2019

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 408/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9557 — Swisscom/AMAG Group/Zürich Insurance Group/autoSense) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2019/C 408/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9567 — PGGM/Macquarie/Genesee & Wyoming Australia) (
  1
  ) | 2 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2019/C 408/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9557 — Swisscom/AMAG Group/Zürich Insurance Group/autoSense) (
  1
  )

1

1

2019/C 408/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9567 — PGGM/Macquarie/Genesee & Wyoming Australia) (
  1
  )

1

2

---

| | III   Preparatory acts |
| --- | --- |
| | EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK |
| | European Central Bank |
| 2019/C 408/03 | Opinion of the European Central Bank of 30 October 2019 on a proposal for a regulation on a governance framework for the budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness for the euro area (CON/2019/37) | 3 |

III   Preparatory acts

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

European Central Bank

2019/C 408/03

Opinion of the European Central Bank of 30 October 2019 on a proposal for a regulation on a governance framework for the budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness for the euro area (CON/2019/37)

3

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 408/04 | Euro exchange rates — 3 December 2019 | 5 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2019/C 408/04

Euro exchange rates — 3 December 2019

5

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 408/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9608 — ENGIE/CDC/CNR Solaire 10) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 408/06 | Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 8 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2019/C 408/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9608 — ENGIE/CDC/CNR Solaire 10) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2019/C 408/06

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

8

---

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

---

(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

| 4.12.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 408/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.12.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 408/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9557 — Swisscom/AMAG Group/Zürich Insurance Group/autoSense)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 408/01)

On 25 November 2019, 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 German 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 32019M9557. 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 32019M9557. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

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| 4.12.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 408/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.12.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 408/2

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9567 — PGGM/Macquarie/Genesee & Wyoming Australia)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 408/02)

On 28 November 2019, 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 32019M9567. 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 32019M9567. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

III Preparatory acts

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

European Central Bank

| 4.12.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 408/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.12.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 408/3

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Opinion of the European Central Bank

of 30 October 2019

on a proposal for a regulation on a governance framework for the budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness for the euro area

(CON/2019/37)

(2019/C 408/03)

Introduction and legal basis

On 9 and 18 September 2019, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, respectively, for an opinion on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a governance framework for the budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness for the euro area (1) (hereinafter the ‘proposed regulation’).

The ECB’s competence to deliver an opinion is based on Articles 127(4) and 282(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as the proposed regulation is relevant to the primary objective of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) to maintain price stability and, without prejudice to the objective of maintaining price stability, to support the general economic policies in the Union, as referred to in Articles 127(1) and 282(2) of the Treaty and Article 2 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank.

In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.

1.   General observations

1.1.   Overall objectives of the BICC

The Five Presidents’ Report of 22 June 2015 emphasised the need to complete the Economic and Monetary Union’s (EMU’s) economic and institutional architecture. In particular, it highlighted the importance of correcting the divergence witnessed during the crisis and embarking on a new convergence process. It was argued in the Report that ‘sustainable convergence also requires a broader set of policies that come under the heading of “structural reforms”, i.e. reforms geared at modernising economies to achieve more growth and jobs’ (2).

The budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness (hereinafter ‘the BICC’) aims to not only support structural policies but also public investment in Member States whose currency is the euro by disbursing project-specific funds. Member States participating in the exchange rate mechanism (ERM II) may also participate in the BICC on a voluntary basis (hereinafter together with Member States whose currency is the euro the ‘participating Member States’).

Against this background, if the BICC is successfully applied, it is expected to improve the functioning of the economy and lead to a more growth-friendly composition of public expenditures, with a positive impact on potential growth and resilience of euro area economies to adverse shocks. As a result, the BICC would contribute to the smooth functioning of the EMU and the effectiveness of the ECB’s monetary policy. The BICC should be endowed with sufficient resources to fulfil its intended goals.

1.2.   Governance of the BICC

The proposed regulation establishes a governance framework for the BICC, in two steps. First, it foresees the adoption of strategic orientations on reforms and investment priorities for the euro area as a whole. In a second, subsequent step, it foresees ‘country-specific guidance’ (hereinafter ‘CSG’) for individual euro area Member States, which needs to be consistent with the strategic orientations and the Council’s country-specific recommendations (hereinafter ‘CSRs’). On the basis of CSG, Member States would then identify possible reform and investment packages to submit to the Commission for assessment. The Council will decide on the policy guidance and the strategic orientations after discussion in the Eurogroup and on the basis of the initiative taken by the Commission.

To the extent possible, the governance of the BICC should go hand in hand with the European Semester and all other existing mechanisms of economic policy coordination. This would ensure the necessary consistency across processes and procedures. The proposed regulation aims at achieving such consistency in the strategic guidance established by the Council during the Euro Summit and, after discussions with the Eurogroup, in the euro area recommendations. It also stresses the need for consistency of CSG with CSRs, as CSRs are a cornerstone of the European Semester. In line with their Treaty-based role in the economic policy coordination process, the Commission would assess the reform and investment packages submitted by Member States, monitor the progress of their implementation, and take the initiative on developing strategic orientations and guidance.

Moreover, it is essential, as currently foreseen, that the reform and investment packages submitted by Member States are assessed against commonly agreed country-specific policy needs, as reform and investment priorities vary significantly across Member States. For that reason, CSRs — already issued annually by the Commission and endorsed by the Council as part of the European Semester process — should be the main reference point for Member States and they should explicitly refer to existing CSRs when they submit their reform and investment packages. Given that the Commission’s country reports issued in the context of the Council’s CSRs identify, as of 2019, important structural policy needs and key areas for public investment at Member State level, they provide the appropriate benchmark for the formulation of national reform and investment packages. The CSG could further specify those CSRs, where appropriate.

In practice, and depending on when the reform and investment packages related to BICC are submitted to the Commission for assessment, CSRs of the previous year should be used as a benchmark for the BICC. In their assessment of the reform and investment packages submitted by Member States, the Commission could also take into account CSRs of the current year to the extent that they are published in due time.

Overall, the aforementioned way forward should help maintain CSRs as the main reference point and ensure consistency on substance across existing coordination procedures, notably the European Semester, and on time. In that context, the BICC could unfold its potential, keeping the focus on addressing the most pressing economic and fiscal policy challenges faced by Member States.

1.3.   Additional considerations

Given the objective of the BICC to support structural policies and public investment in order to improve competitiveness and convergence, further discussions beyond the BICC are necessary on how to establish a macroeconomic stabilisation function, which remains absent at euro area level. Such a function exists in all monetary unions, to better deal with economic shocks that cannot be managed at national level (3). As previously highlighted by the ECB (4), a common macroeconomic stabilisation function would, if appropriately designed, increase the economic resilience of the participating Member States and of the euro area as a whole, thereby also supporting the single monetary policy. To that end, a fiscal stabilisation function should be sufficient in size.

This opinion will be published on the ECB’s website.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 30 October 2019.

The President of the ECB

Mario DRAGHI

---

(1)  COM(2019) 354 final.

1

(2)  See ‘Completing Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union’, Report by Jean-Claude Juncker, in close cooperation with Donald Tusk, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Mario Draghi and Martin Schulz, 22 June 2015, page 7, available on the Commission’s website at www.ec.europa.eu

2

(3)  See the general observations of Opinion CON/2018/51. All ECB opinions are published on the ECB’s website at www.ecb.europa.eu

3

(4)  See the general observations of Opinion CON/2018/51.

4

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 4.12.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 408/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.12.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 408/5

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Euro exchange rates (1)

3 December 2019

(2019/C 408/04)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1071 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 120,39 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4719 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,85200 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,5653 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0947 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 134,40 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,1668 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,527 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 331,75 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2845 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,7777 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 6,3508 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6186 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4747 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,6675 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7000 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5117 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 319,15 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,2253 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,8140 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4400 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 615,65 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6216 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 56,583 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 71,0634 |
| THB | Thai baht | 33,529 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,6545 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 21,6958 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 79,4300 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1071

JPY

Japanese yen

120,39

DKK

Danish krone

7,4719

GBP

Pound sterling

0,85200

SEK

Swedish krona

10,5653

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0947

ISK

Iceland króna

134,40

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,1668

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,527

HUF

Hungarian forint

331,75

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2845

RON

Romanian leu

4,7777

TRY

Turkish lira

6,3508

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6186

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4747

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,6675

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7000

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5117

KRW

South Korean won

1 319,15

ZAR

South African rand

16,2253

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,8140

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4400

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 615,65

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6216

PHP

Philippine peso

56,583

RUB

Russian rouble

71,0634

THB

Thai baht

33,529

BRL

Brazilian real

4,6545

MXN

Mexican peso

21,6958

INR

Indian rupee

79,4300

---

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

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 4.12.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 408/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.12.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 408/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9608 — ENGIE/CDC/CNR Solaire 10)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 408/05)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | CN’Air (France), controlled by ENGIE (France), |
| --- | --- |

—

CN’Air (France), controlled by ENGIE (France),

| — | Caisse des dépôts et consignations (‘CDC’, France), |
| --- | --- |

—

Caisse des dépôts et consignations (‘CDC’, France),

| — | CNR Solaire 10 (France), controlled by CN’Air (France). |
| --- | --- |

—

CNR Solaire 10 (France), controlled by CN’Air (France).

ENGIE and CDC acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of CNR Solaire 10.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | CDC is a special status public establishment which conducts missions of general interest and activities open to competition, |
| --- | --- |

—

CDC is a special status public establishment which conducts missions of general interest and activities open to competition,

| — | CN’Air is active in the renewable energy sector and a subsidiary of ENGIE which is active in the entire energy value chain in the fields of gas, electricity and energy services, |
| --- | --- |

—

CN’Air is active in the renewable energy sector and a subsidiary of ENGIE which is active in the entire energy value chain in the fields of gas, electricity and energy services,

| — | CNR Solaire 10 is active in the opearation of wind farms in France. |
| --- | --- |

—

CNR Solaire 10 is active in the opearation of wind farms in France.

3.

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.

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

M.9608 — ENGIE/CDC/CNR Solaire 10

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

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 4.12.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 408/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.12.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 408/8

---

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

(2019/C 408/06)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘GYŐR-MOSON-SOPRON MEGYEI CSEMEGE SAJT’

EU No: PGI-HU-02303 —
  23.3.2017

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s)

‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’

2.   Member State or third country

Hungary

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.3: Cheeses

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

‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’ is a full-fat, salted, porous cheese made from cow’s milk and ripened with
  Brevibacterium linens
  rind flora. The main ripening microflora largely reproduces in a natural way at the production area referred to in point 4.

Table 1

Organoleptic properties of ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’

| Outside: | Disc-shaped cheese with a flat bottom and top and bulging side. The thin, flexible rind is porous, uniformly reddish-yellow and slightly slimy to the touch. |
| --- | --- |
| Inside: | The body is uniformly yellowish-white in colour, with cracks densely and evenly distributed on the cut surface. |
| Texture: | It has a somewhat mushy texture, is easy to cut and crumbles to pieces in the mouth. |
| Smell: | The distinctive aroma is mildly lactic and free of any foreign odour. |
| Taste: | The distinctive flavour is pleasantly aromatic and salty, slightly acidic and free of any foreign taste. |

Outside:

Disc-shaped cheese with a flat bottom and top and bulging side. The thin, flexible rind is porous, uniformly reddish-yellow and slightly slimy to the touch.

Inside:

The body is uniformly yellowish-white in colour, with cracks densely and evenly distributed on the cut surface.

Texture:

It has a somewhat mushy texture, is easy to cut and crumbles to pieces in the mouth.

Smell:

The distinctive aroma is mildly lactic and free of any foreign odour.

Taste:

The distinctive flavour is pleasantly aromatic and salty, slightly acidic and free of any foreign taste.

Table 2

Physical and chemical characteristics of ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’

| Characteristic | Quantity % (g/100 g) |
| --- | --- |
| Dry matter (minimum) | 51,5 |
| Fat content of the dry matter | 45,0 ± 2 |
| Sodium chloride | 2,0 ± 0,5 |

Characteristic

Quantity % (g/100 g)

Dry matter (minimum)

51,5

Fat content of the dry matter

45,0 ± 2

Sodium chloride

2,0 ± 0,5

Table 3

Shape, dimensions and weight of ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’

| Shape | Dimensions, cm | Weight, kg |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Disc | diameter: 20-22
  height: 7-9 | 2,1-3,1 |

Shape

Dimensions, cm

Weight, kg

Disc

diameter: 20-22

height: 7-9

2,1-3,1

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

| — | cow’s milk, |
| --- | --- |

—

cow’s milk,

| — | non-GMO starter cultures containing lactic and other ripening bacteria, |
| --- | --- |

—

non-GMO starter cultures containing lactic and other ripening bacteria,

| — | milk coagulation enzymes, |
| --- | --- |

—

milk coagulation enzymes,

| — | calcium chloride, |
| --- | --- |

—

calcium chloride,

| — | table salt. |
| --- | --- |

—

table salt.

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

The following steps in the production of the cheese take place in the defined geographical area.

| — | Preparation and enzymatic coagulation of milk |
| --- | --- |

—

Preparation and enzymatic coagulation of milk

| — | Cutting and processing of the curd |
| --- | --- |

—

Cutting and processing of the curd

| — | Moulding and pressing |
| --- | --- |

—

Moulding and pressing

| — | Salting |
| --- | --- |

—

Salting

| — | Ripening |
| --- | --- |

—

Ripening

| — | Wiping and drying of the cheese |
| --- | --- |

—

Wiping and drying of the cheese

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

—

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’ corresponds to the area comprising the following administrative units:

The following municipalities of Győr district:

Abda, Bezi, Bőny, Börcs, Dunaszeg, Dunaszentpál, Enese, Fehértó, Gönyű, Győr, Győrladamér, Győr-Ménfőcsanak, Győrság, Győrsövényház, Győrújbarát, Győrújfalu, Győrzámoly, Ikrény, Kajárpéc, Kisbajcs, Koroncó, Kunsziget, Mezőörs, Mosonszentmiklós, Nagybajcs, Nagyszentjános, Nyúl, Öttevény, Pér, Rábapatona, Rétalap, Sokorópátka, Tényő, Töltéstava, Vámosszabadi, Vének.

The following municipalities of Mosonmagyaróvár district:

Jánossomorja, Lébény, Hegyeshalom, Ásványráró, Bezenye, Darnózseli, Dunakiliti, Dunaremete, Dunasziget, Feketeerdő, Halászi, Hédervár, Károlyháza, Kimle, Kisbodak, Levél, Lipót, Máriakálnok, Mecsér, Mosonmagyaróvár, Mosonszolnok, Mosonudvar, Püski, Rajka, Újrónafő, Várbalog.

The following municipalities of Csorna district:

Bősárkány, Szany, Acsalag, Bágyogszovát, Barbacs, Bodonhely, Bogyoszló, Cakóháza, Csorna, Dör, Egyed, Farád, Jobaháza, Kóny, Maglóca, Magyarkeresztúr, Markotabögöte, Páli, Pásztori, Potyond, Rábacsanak, Rábapordány, Rábasebes, Rábaszentandrás, Rábatamási, Rábcakapi, Sobor, Sopronnémeti, Szil, Szilsárkány, Tárnokréti, Vág, Zsebeháza.

The following municipalities of Kapuvár district:

Beled, Babót, Cirák, Csermajor, Dénesfa, Edve, Gyóró, Himod, Hövej, Kapuvár, Kisfalud, Mihályi, Osli, Rábakecöl, Répceszemere, Szárföld, Vadosfa, Vásárosfalu, Veszkény, Vitnyéd.

The following municipalities of Tét district:

Árpás, Csikvánd, Felpéc, Gyarmat, Gyömöre, Győrszemere, Kisbabot, Mérges, Mórichida, Rábacsécsény, Rábaszentmihály, Rábaszentmiklós, Tét.

The following municipalities of Pannonhalma district:

Écs, Győrasszonyfa, Nyalka, Pannonhalma, Pázmándfalu, Ravazd, Táp, Tápszentmiklós, Tarjánpuszta.

The following municipalities of Sopron district:

Agyagosszergény, Fertőd, Fertődoboz, Fertőendréd, Fertőhomok, Fertőrákos, Fertőszéplak, Hegykő, Hidegség, Sarród, Tőzeggyármajor, Nyárliget, Fertőújlak.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The link between ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’ and the geographical area is based on quality and reputation, the key elements of which are presented below.

Specificities of the geographical area

Győr-Moson-Sopron County consists of a plain formed from sediment deposited mainly from the River Danube, as well as the Rába-Rábca, Répce and Ikva Rivers.

The soil and climatic conditions of the geographical area are ideal for both crop production and animal husbandry. The soil and rainfall conditions of the geographical area are particularly well-suited to growing maize and roughage, providing the feed required for the large number of dairy cattle in the area, and forming the basis for its milk processing industry. The Tejgazdasági Kísérleti Intézet (Dairy Research Institute) — the predecessor of which was established in Mosonmagyaróvár in 1903 — carries out basic and applied research into milk processing, as well as providing research and development and advice on food technology. A research centre was founded in Csermajor as far back as 1886 to allow young people to master all phases of milk production, treatment, processing and marketing, and ‘to acquire the necessary manual skills’, ensuring expertise in milk processing has been passed down through the generations. The geographical area is fortunate to have the intellectual and technical base and the raw materials that give the area’s milk products — especially its cheeses — their significance, reputation and recognition.

Specificities of the product

A distinctive characteristic of the cheese is the pale yellow coating appearing on the cheese surface on day 4-5 of the ripening process, due to the main ripening microflora (Brevibacterium linens), which is essential for ripening and originates from the pine boards used. That way, a close link is formed between the quality of the product and the production area. Bacteria growth is facilitated by turning the cheese and wiping it with a brine solution every 3-4 days. At week 2, the cheese is essentially completely coated. Extreme care must be taken when turning and wiping the cheese, to ensure it does not break up.

Intense ripening starts from the surface and moves towards the centre, and takes around 3 weeks. Ripening is also indicated by the rapid increase in the pH value of the rind, caused by the breakdown of lactate (into carbon dioxide and water) by certain yeasts (e.g. Oospora lactis) growing naturally on the surface. Ripening is characterised by the rapid degradation of most of the proteins, which means that 60-80 % of them take the form of water-soluble nitrogen compounds by week 3.

The ripening process is key to the cheese’s distinctiveness. The cheese can be ripened only on boards made from pinewood, in conditions of high relative humidity (above 90 %). This ensures that the specific bacterium strain is maintained and that the red culture develops on the fresh cheese. Ripening lends the cheese its slightly acidic, pleasantly aromatic and distinctive taste. The longer the ripening time, the stronger the smell and taste of the cheese. The cheese’s main character is derived from its intensive protein degradation, which gives it its crumbly texture and makes it easy to digest.

‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’ has an intense, aromatic smell and taste due to the unique ripening flora. The cheese is reddish-yellow in colour, the cut surface is porous, and the cheese crumbles to pieces in the mouth. After ripening for 4-5 weeks, its taste and smell develop hints of ammonia, and the texture becomes even softer. To keep the cheese edible and to maintain its characteristic properties, the cheese has to be stored at a temperature of 2-8 °C as of week 3.

Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The application for registration of the protected geographical indication, which relates to the designated geographical area in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, is based on tradition, the unique production method, the specific skills required for production, and the reputation of the cheese.

The reputation of the cheese is based on its taste, aroma, smell, very pleasant crumbling texture and uniquely uniform quality. To this day, it is consumed primarily by gourmet cheese lovers. Due to the intense protein degradation, it is one of the most easily digestible cheese types.

For over a century now, ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’ has received wide recognition. Between 1995 and 2005, it made a regular and successful appearance at the largest Hungarian cheese fair, known in the trade as the Csermajor Cheese Competition. The cheese has won the following awards and prizes over the past two decades:

1998 National Cheese Competition, Csermajor: Gold certificate

2001 First West Transdanubian Cheese Competition: The West Transdanubian Region’s best traditionally matured cheese

2005 National Cheese Competition, Csermajor: Special mention of the judges

2007 National Cheese Competition, Csermajor: Gold certificate

2008 National Cheese Competition, Csermajor: Gold certificate

In 2011 ‘Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt’ was granted the right to use the ‘HAGYOMÁNYOK-ÍZEK-RÉGIÓK’ (HÍR) (Traditions-Flavours-Regions) trade mark. A product may seek protection using the HÍR trade mark (registration number 172636) if its production is linked to a particular region, its production method is traditional, at least one element of production is based on local know-how, and its reputation dates back at least 50 years. Fulfilment of the criteria for use of the trade mark is evaluated by an Evaluation Committee composed of experts appointed by the minister, based on the specification submitted and an organoleptic examination.

Reference to publication of the product specification

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

http://elelmiszerlanc.kormany.hu/download/e/33/c1000/17.pdf

on page 862 of the document linked above.

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

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