# Official Journal C 162/2012

| | ISSN 1977-091X
  doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.162.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 162 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 558 June 2012 |

ISSN 1977-091X

doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.162.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 162

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 558 June 2012

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 162/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6305 — DFDS/C.RO Ports/Älvsborg) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2012/C 162/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6439 — AGRANA/RWA/JV) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2012/C 162/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6446 — Pratt & Whitney/International Aero Engines) (
  1
  ) | 2 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2012/C 162/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6305 — DFDS/C.RO Ports/Älvsborg) (
  1
  )

1

1

2012/C 162/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6439 — AGRANA/RWA/JV) (
  1
  )

1

1

2012/C 162/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6446 — Pratt & Whitney/International Aero Engines) (
  1
  )

1

2

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 162/04 | Euro exchange rates | 3 |
| 2012/C 162/05 | Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive agreements and dominant position given at its meeting of 12 March 2012 regarding an amending decision relating to Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate — Rapporteur: Bulgaria | 4 |
| 2012/C 162/06 | Final Report of the Hearing Officer — COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate | 5 |
| 2012/C 162/07 | Summary of Commission Decision of 27 March 2012 relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate) (notified under document C(2012) 1965 final)
   (
  1
  ) | 6 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2012/C 162/04

Euro exchange rates

3

2012/C 162/05

Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive agreements and dominant position given at its meeting of 12 March 2012 regarding an amending decision relating to Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate — Rapporteur: Bulgaria

4

2012/C 162/06

Final Report of the Hearing Officer — COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate

5

2012/C 162/07

Summary of Commission Decision of 27 March 2012 relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate) (notified under document C(2012) 1965 final)
   (
  1
  )

(notified under document C(2012) 1965 final)

1

6

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 162/08 | Hercule II — Call for proposals — OLAF/2012/D5/05 — Technical Support for Detecting the Presence of Cigarettes and Tobacco | 8 |
| 2012/C 162/09 | Notice of creditors' meeting of AB bankas Snoras Pursuant to Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions | 11 |
| | European Investment Bank |
| 2012/C 162/10 | Call for proposals — The European Investment Bank Institute proposes three new EIBURS sponsorships under its Knowledge Programme | 12 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 162/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6573 — ForFarmers/Agricola) (
  1
  ) | 15 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 162/12 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 16 |
| 2012/C 162/13 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 20 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2012/C 162/08

Hercule II — Call for proposals — OLAF/2012/D5/05 — Technical Support for Detecting the Presence of Cigarettes and Tobacco

8

2012/C 162/09

Notice of creditors' meeting of AB bankas Snoras Pursuant to Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions

11

European Investment Bank

2012/C 162/10

Call for proposals — The European Investment Bank Institute proposes three new EIBURS sponsorships under its Knowledge Programme

12

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2012/C 162/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6573 — ForFarmers/Agricola) (
  1
  )

1

15

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2012/C 162/12

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

16

2012/C 162/13

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

20

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

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6305 — DFDS/C.RO Ports/Älvsborg)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 162/01

On 2 April 2012, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6305. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6305. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

---

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6439 — AGRANA/RWA/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 162/02

On 4 April 2012, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6439. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6439. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

---

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/2

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.6446 — Pratt & Whitney/International Aero Engines)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 162/03

On 4 June 2012, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6446. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32012M6446. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/3

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Euro exchange rates (1)

7 June 2012

2012/C 162/04

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2595 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 100,08 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4335 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,80860 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 8,9664 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,2011 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,5885 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,325 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 295,05 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6970 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2700 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4658 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,2964 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,2613 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,2892 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,7716 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6272 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,6025 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 472,47 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 10,4025 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,0152 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5645 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 864,11 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 3,9843 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 54,384 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 40,6410 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,649 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,5557 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 17,5537 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 69,2030 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2595

JPY

Japanese yen

100,08

DKK

Danish krone

7,4335

GBP

Pound sterling

0,80860

SEK

Swedish krona

8,9664

CHF

Swiss franc

1,2011

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,5885

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,325

HUF

Hungarian forint

295,05

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6970

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2700

RON

Romanian leu

4,4658

TRY

Turkish lira

2,2964

AUD

Australian dollar

1,2613

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,2892

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,7716

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6272

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,6025

KRW

South Korean won

1 472,47

ZAR

South African rand

10,4025

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,0152

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5645

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 864,11

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

3,9843

PHP

Philippine peso

54,384

RUB

Russian rouble

40,6410

THB

Thai baht

39,649

BRL

Brazilian real

2,5557

MXN

Mexican peso

17,5537

INR

Indian rupee

69,2030

---

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

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| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/4

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Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive agreements and dominant position given at its meeting of 12 March 2012 regarding an amending decision relating to Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate

Rapporteur: Bulgaria

2012/C 162/05

| 1. | The Advisory Committee agrees that the duration and the fine should be reduced for the addressee. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The Advisory Committee agrees that the duration and the fine should be reduced for the addressee.

| 2. | The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission on the final amount of the fine. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission on the final amount of the fine.

| 3. | The Advisory Committee recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The Advisory Committee recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union.

---

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/5

---

Final Report of the Hearing Officer (1)

COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate

2012/C 162/06

| (1) | On 11 June 2008, the Commission adopted a decision relating to a proceeding under Article 101 on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (the ‘Decision’) (2), imposing a fine of amongst others EUR 9,9 million severally and jointly on Aragonesas and Uralita for their involvement from 16 December 1996 until 9 February 2000 in agreements and concerted practices in the market for sodium chlorate in the EEA. On 16 September 2008, Uralita provisionally paid the fine. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

On 11 June 2008, the Commission adopted a decision relating to a proceeding under Article 101 on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (the ‘Decision’) (2), imposing a fine of amongst others EUR 9,9 million severally and jointly on Aragonesas and Uralita for their involvement from 16 December 1996 until 9 February 2000 in agreements and concerted practices in the market for sodium chlorate in the EEA. On 16 September 2008, Uralita provisionally paid the fine.

| (2) | By judgment of 25 October 2011 in case T-348/08 Aragonesas v. Commission
   (3), the General Court found that Aragonesas had participated in the infringement only for the period from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998 and annulled in its entirety the fine imposed in the Decision. By judgment of 25 October 2011 in case T-349/08 Uralita v. Commission
   (4), the General Court dismissed the appeal brought by Uralita, thus leaving in place the fine of EUR 9,9 million. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

By judgment of 25 October 2011 in case T-348/08 Aragonesas v. Commission
   (3), the General Court found that Aragonesas had participated in the infringement only for the period from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998 and annulled in its entirety the fine imposed in the Decision. By judgment of 25 October 2011 in case T-349/08 Uralita v. Commission
   (4), the General Court dismissed the appeal brought by Uralita, thus leaving in place the fine of EUR 9,9 million.

| (3) | On 5 December 2011, the Commission informed Uralita and Aragonesas of its intention to re-impose a fine on Aragonesas calculated in accordance with the shorter duration established by the Court in case T-348/08, and to reduce the duration of Uralita's liability to that of Aragonesas. On 12 December 2011, the Commission learned for the first time that Aragonesas, which had been sold by Uralita to Ercros SA (‘Ercros’) in 2005, had ceased to exist as from 31 May 2010, following its merger with Ercros. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

On 5 December 2011, the Commission informed Uralita and Aragonesas of its intention to re-impose a fine on Aragonesas calculated in accordance with the shorter duration established by the Court in case T-348/08, and to reduce the duration of Uralita's liability to that of Aragonesas. On 12 December 2011, the Commission learned for the first time that Aragonesas, which had been sold by Uralita to Ercros SA (‘Ercros’) in 2005, had ceased to exist as from 31 May 2010, following its merger with Ercros.

| (4) | On 23 January 2012, Uralita informed the Commission that [confidential]. Therefore, Uralita declared [that it unreservedly accepted its responsibility for the infringement from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998 as regards the Commission procedure in case 38.695 — Sodium Chlorate and that it may be the sole addressee of any amendment decision in that procedure]. On 25 January 2012, the Commission informed Uralita of its intention to adopt an amendment decision only with respect to Uralita, and granted the undertaking until 8 February 2012 to make known its views. On 26 January 2012, Uralita informed the Commission that it had no further observations. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

On 23 January 2012, Uralita informed the Commission that [confidential]. Therefore, Uralita declared [that it unreservedly accepted its responsibility for the infringement from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998 as regards the Commission procedure in case 38.695 — Sodium Chlorate and that it may be the sole addressee of any amendment decision in that procedure]. On 25 January 2012, the Commission informed Uralita of its intention to adopt an amendment decision only with respect to Uralita, and granted the undertaking until 8 February 2012 to make known its views. On 26 January 2012, Uralita informed the Commission that it had no further observations.

| (5) | In its draft amendment decision addressed to Uralita, the Commission: (i) reduces the period of participation in the infringement to the period of 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998; (ii) sets the fine under Article 23(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, for which Uralita is solely liable, according to the same parameters used in the Decision, except for the duration multiplier which is set at 0,91 to reflect the reduced infringement period. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In its draft amendment decision addressed to Uralita, the Commission: (i) reduces the period of participation in the infringement to the period of 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998; (ii) sets the fine under Article 23(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, for which Uralita is solely liable, according to the same parameters used in the Decision, except for the duration multiplier which is set at 0,91 to reflect the reduced infringement period.

| (6) | The draft decision does not contain any objections in respect of which the parties have not been afforded the opportunity of making known their views. Moreover, in the course of this procedure I did not receive any request or complaint from any party to the proceedings. In view thereof, I consider that the effective exercise of the procedural rights of all participants in this case has been respected. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

The draft decision does not contain any objections in respect of which the parties have not been afforded the opportunity of making known their views. Moreover, in the course of this procedure I did not receive any request or complaint from any party to the proceedings. In view thereof, I consider that the effective exercise of the procedural rights of all participants in this case has been respected.

Brussels, 12 March 2012.

Wouter WILS

---

(1)  Pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 of Decision 2011/695/EU of the President of the European Commission of 13 October 2011 on the function and terms of reference of the hearing officer in certain competition proceedings (OJ L 275, 20.10.2011, p. 29) (‘Decision 2011/695/EU’).

1

(2)  Commission Decision of 11 June 2008 relating to a proceeding under Article 81 of the EC Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement in Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate, C(2008) 2626 final.

2

(3)  Case T-348/08, Aragonesas Industrias y Energia SAU v. European Commission, [2011] ECR (not yet reported).

3

Aragonesas Industrias y Energia SAU

European Commission

(4)  Case T-349/08, Uralita, SA v European Commission, [2011] ECR (not yet reported).

4

Uralita, SA

European Commission

---

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/6

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Summary of Commission Decision

of 27 March 2012

relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement

(Case COMP/38.695 — Sodium Chlorate)

(notified under document C(2012) 1965 final)

(Only the English text is authentic)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 162/07

On 27 March 2012, the Commission adopted a decision amending Decision C(2008) 2626 final of 11 June 2008 relating to a proceeding under Article 81 of the EC Treaty (now Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement to the extent it was addressed to Uralita SA. In accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003
   (1), the Commission herewith publishes the names of the parties and the main content of the decision, including any penalties imposed, having regard to the legitimate interest of undertakings in the protection of their business secrets.

1.   INTRODUCTION

| (1) | The Decision is addressed to one legal entity: Uralita SA. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Decision is addressed to one legal entity: Uralita SA.

| (2) | A non-confidential version of the decision is available on the Directorate-General for Competition's website at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en.html |
| --- | --- |

(2)

A non-confidential version of the decision is available on the Directorate-General for Competition's website at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en.html

2.   CASE DESCRIPTION

2.1.   Procedure

| (3) | In Decision C(2008) 2626 final (hereinafter ‘the 2008 Decision’), the Commission imposed a fine of EUR 9,9 million jointly and severally on Aragonesas Industrías y Energía S.A.U. (‘Aragonesas’) and Uralita SA (‘Uralita’) based on a finding that they had participated in the infringement from 16 December 1996 until 9 February 2000. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In Decision C(2008) 2626 final (hereinafter ‘the 2008 Decision’), the Commission imposed a fine of EUR 9,9 million jointly and severally on Aragonesas Industrías y Energía S.A.U. (‘Aragonesas’) and Uralita SA (‘Uralita’) based on a finding that they had participated in the infringement from 16 December 1996 until 9 February 2000.

| (4) | In its judgment of 25 October 2011 in Case T-348/08 Aragonesas v Commission
   (2) (the ‘Aragonesas judgment’), the General Court considered, based on the evidence before it, that Aragonesas had participated in the cartel from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998. Although the Court upheld the 2008 Decision as regards Aragonesas' participation for that shorter period, and dismissed all claims concerning the fine calculation (except for the multiplier for duration), it annulled the fine imposed on Aragonesas in its entirety. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In its judgment of 25 October 2011 in Case T-348/08 Aragonesas v Commission
   (2) (the ‘Aragonesas judgment’), the General Court considered, based on the evidence before it, that Aragonesas had participated in the cartel from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998. Although the Court upheld the 2008 Decision as regards Aragonesas' participation for that shorter period, and dismissed all claims concerning the fine calculation (except for the multiplier for duration), it annulled the fine imposed on Aragonesas in its entirety.

| (5) | In parallel, in Case T-349/08 Uralita v Commission
   (3) (the ‘Uralita judgment’), the General Court entirely dismissed the application brought by Uralita against the 2008 Decision. It therefore left in place the EUR 9,9 million fine imposed by the Decision on Uralita. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In parallel, in Case T-349/08 Uralita v Commission
   (3) (the ‘Uralita judgment’), the General Court entirely dismissed the application brought by Uralita against the 2008 Decision. It therefore left in place the EUR 9,9 million fine imposed by the Decision on Uralita.

| (6) | On 12 December 2011, the Commission was informed that Aragonesas had ceased to exist as of 31 May 2010 following its merger with Ercros SA. By letter dated 23 January 2012, Uralita informed the Commission that it, inter alia, accepted to be the sole addressee of any amendment decision. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

On 12 December 2011, the Commission was informed that Aragonesas had ceased to exist as of 31 May 2010 following its merger with Ercros SA. By letter dated 23 January 2012, Uralita informed the Commission that it, inter alia, accepted to be the sole addressee of any amendment decision.

| (7) | The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions issued a favourable opinion on 12 March 2012. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions issued a favourable opinion on 12 March 2012.

2.2.   Summary of the Decision

| (8) | The Decision reduces the infringement period for Uralita to the period from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998, in the light of the Aragonesas judgment and despite the dismissal of Uralita's action for annulment against the 2008 Decision in the Uralita judgment. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

The Decision reduces the infringement period for Uralita to the period from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998, in the light of the Aragonesas judgment and despite the dismissal of Uralita's action for annulment against the 2008 Decision in the Uralita judgment.

| (9) | The fine on Uralita is determined on the basis of the same parameters that were used and explained when setting the original fine in the 2008 Decision except the multiplier for duration which was set at 0,91 to reflect the shorter infringement period. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

The fine on Uralita is determined on the basis of the same parameters that were used and explained when setting the original fine in the 2008 Decision except the multiplier for duration which was set at 0,91 to reflect the shorter infringement period.

| (10) | With respect to the interest that has accrued on the original EUR 9,9 million fine provisionally paid by Uralita on 16 September 2008, the Decision concludes that, since the General Court has confirmed Uralita's participation in the infringement for the period from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998, the interest on the amount of the fine to be imposed on Uralita pursuant to this Decision (that is to say, the interest on EUR 4 231 000) has accrued to the benefit of the Commission and is therefore retained by the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

With respect to the interest that has accrued on the original EUR 9,9 million fine provisionally paid by Uralita on 16 September 2008, the Decision concludes that, since the General Court has confirmed Uralita's participation in the infringement for the period from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998, the interest on the amount of the fine to be imposed on Uralita pursuant to this Decision (that is to say, the interest on EUR 4 231 000) has accrued to the benefit of the Commission and is therefore retained by the Commission.

3.   DECISION

| (11) | The 2008 Decision is amended as follows:






  1. | in Article 1, point (h) is replaced by the following:






  ‘(h) | Uralita SA, from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998.’; |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

(11)

The 2008 Decision is amended as follows:

1.

in Article 1, point (h) is replaced by the following:

‘(h)

Uralita SA, from 28 January 1998 until 31 December 1998.’;

| 2. | in the first paragraph of Article 2, point (f) is replaced by the following:






  ‘(f) | Uralita SA: EUR 4 231 000.’ |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

in the first paragraph of Article 2, point (f) is replaced by the following:

‘(f)

Uralita SA: EUR 4 231 000.’

| (12) | The interest which has accrued on the sum of EUR 4 231 000 since it was provisionally paid on 16 September 2008 has accrued to the benefit of the Commission and is retained by it. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

The interest which has accrued on the sum of EUR 4 231 000 since it was provisionally paid on 16 September 2008 has accrued to the benefit of the Commission and is retained by it.

---

(1)  OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.

(2)  Case T-348/08 Aragonesas Industria y Energía SAU v European Commission, not yet reported, judgment of 25 October 2011. Neither Aragonesas nor the Commission has appealed that judgment which is now definitive.

(3)  Case T-349/08 Uralita SA v European Commission, not yet reported, judgment of 25 October 2011. Uralita has not appealed that judgment which is now definitive.

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/8

---

HERCULE II

Call for proposals — OLAF/2012/D5/05

Technical Support for Detecting the Presence of Cigarettes and Tobacco

2012/C 162/08

1.   Objectives and description

This notice of call for proposals is based on Decision No 878/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2007 establishing a Community action programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the Community's financial interests (Hercule II programme), OJ L 193 of 25 July 2007. This call relates to the activities under Article 1a(a) of the Hercule II Decision, which consists of:

| — | technical assistance for national authorities through the provision of specific knowledge, equipment and information technology (IT) tools facilitating transnational cooperation and cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), |
| --- | --- |

—

technical assistance for national authorities through the provision of specific knowledge, equipment and information technology (IT) tools facilitating transnational cooperation and cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF),

| — | the support for joint operations, and |
| --- | --- |

—

the support for joint operations, and

| — | the enhancement of staff exchanges, |
| --- | --- |

—

the enhancement of staff exchanges,

in order to fight against fraud, corruption and other illegal activities as well as the development and implementation of fraud prevention and detection policies.

2.   Eligible applicants

This notice is aimed at national or regional administrations (‘Applicants’) of a Member State or a country outside the European Union which promote the strengthening of European action to protect the European Union's financial interests.

3.   Eligible actions

Eligible actions for Technical Assistance consist of:

| — | technical support to strengthen inspections of containers and trucks at the EU's external borders, dedicated to the fight against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting, |
| --- | --- |

—

technical support to strengthen inspections of containers and trucks at the EU's external borders, dedicated to the fight against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting,

| — | equipment as part of an action of law enforcement agencies to improve the detection and investigation of illicit consignments of tobacco products, |
| --- | --- |

—

equipment as part of an action of law enforcement agencies to improve the detection and investigation of illicit consignments of tobacco products,

| — | equipment as part of an action of law enforcement agencies to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods on the basis of its scent characteristics. |
| --- | --- |

—

equipment as part of an action of law enforcement agencies to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods on the basis of its scent characteristics.

4.   Award criteria

Each submitted eligible action will be assessed in the light of the following award criteria:

| 1. | Consistency of the proposal with OLAF’s objectives for combating fraud and, in particular, preventing, detecting and investigating the flow of illicit tobacco products into the EU, |
| --- | --- |

1.

Consistency of the proposal with OLAF’s objectives for combating fraud and, in particular, preventing, detecting and investigating the flow of illicit tobacco products into the EU,

| 2. | Suitability of the proposed equipment in the location where it will be deployed, |
| --- | --- |

2.

Suitability of the proposed equipment in the location where it will be deployed,

| 3. | Technical quality and performance of the proposed equipment to meet the needs expressed by the grant applicant, |
| --- | --- |

3.

Technical quality and performance of the proposed equipment to meet the needs expressed by the grant applicant,

| 4. | Cost-effectiveness: the project's costs should be consistent with its objectives, |
| --- | --- |

4.

Cost-effectiveness: the project's costs should be consistent with its objectives,

| 5. | Compatibility of the project with the work carried out or planned in connection with the EU's policy priorities for preventing fraud against the EU budget (prevention; information analysis, methods of cooperation, etc.), |
| --- | --- |

5.

Compatibility of the project with the work carried out or planned in connection with the EU's policy priorities for preventing fraud against the EU budget (prevention; information analysis, methods of cooperation, etc.),

| 6. | Compatibility of the project with similar projects carried out in other Member States and carried out by other national law enforcement and customs agencies, |
| --- | --- |

6.

Compatibility of the project with similar projects carried out in other Member States and carried out by other national law enforcement and customs agencies,

| 7. | Possibility for using the methods and/or results of the project to enhance cooperation and effectiveness in the fight against fraud and cigarette smuggling (‘mainstreaming’). |
| --- | --- |

7.

Possibility for using the methods and/or results of the project to enhance cooperation and effectiveness in the fight against fraud and cigarette smuggling (‘mainstreaming’).

If several projects have equal merit in the light of these award criteria, funding priority may be given to, in descending order:

| — | those law enforcement agencies which do not have, or which are not considered having sufficient, equipment to combat cigarette smuggling and cigarette counterfeiting, |
| --- | --- |

—

those law enforcement agencies which do not have, or which are not considered having sufficient, equipment to combat cigarette smuggling and cigarette counterfeiting,

| — | proposals that make fair geographical distribution possible, |
| --- | --- |

—

proposals that make fair geographical distribution possible,

| — | applicants who have not received grants in previous years for the same or a similar project. |
| --- | --- |

—

applicants who have not received grants in previous years for the same or a similar project.

5.   Budget

The total budget available is EUR 3 300 000.

The financial contribution will take the form of a grant. The financial contribution awarded will not exceed 50 % of the eligible costs.

The Commission reserves the right not to allocate all the funds available.

6.   Further information

The technical specifications and the application form can be downloaded from the following site:

http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/funding/techn-assist/items/call_proposals_2012_en.htm

Question and/or requests for additional information in relation to this call have to be sent by e-mail to:

OLAF-FMB-HERCULE-TA@ec.europa.eu

The questions and answers may be anonymously published in the Guidelines for filling in the Application Form on OLAF's internet website if they are relevant to other applicants.

7.   Deadline for submission of applications

Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, 31 August 2012.

Only applications submitted by using the official application form, duly signed by the person entitled to enter into legally binding commitments on behalf of the applicant organisation, will be accepted. The sealed envelope must clearly mention:

The applications (original and one copy) must be sent by post to the following address:

| European Commission — European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) |
| --- |
| For the attention of Mr Johan KHOUW |
| Head of Unit Hercule, Pericles & EURO Protection |
| Office: J-30 10/62 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission — European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)

For the attention of Mr Johan KHOUW

Head of Unit Hercule, Pericles & EURO Protection

Office: J-30 10/62

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

An electronic copy of the grant application form and containing all necessary Annexes should also be sent by electronic mail to the following mailbox:

OLAF-FMB-HERCULE-TA@ec.europa.eu

---

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/11

---

Notice of creditors' meeting of AB bankas Snoras Pursuant to Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions

2012/C 162/09

AB bankas Snoras (in bankruptcy)

Notice of First Creditors’ Meeting

The first creditors’ meeting of AB bankas Snoras (in bankruptcy) (‘Snoras’) is to be held on Tuesday 12 June 2012 at ‘Siemens’ arena, Ozo st. 14, Vilnius, Lithuania (the ‘Creditors’ Meeting’). The registration process for the Creditors’ Meeting will start at 9 am and the Creditors’ Meeting at 12 noon Vilnius time (EET) on this day.

The formal business of the meeting is to approve the agenda of the Creditors’ Meeting, appoint the secretary to the Creditors’ Meeting proposed by the Snoras Bankruptcy Administrator and elect a chairperson of the Creditors’ Meeting and the Snoras creditors’ committee. All creditors who submitted claims in the bankruptcy proceedings and whose claims have been approved by the Vilnius Regional Court prior to the Creditors’ Meeting are entitled to attend and vote at the Creditors’ Meeting. In addition, creditors have the option to vote ahead of the meeting. Creditors will however not prejudice their claims and entitlement to dividend, should there be one, if they do not attend or vote at the Creditors’ Meeting.

Pre-registration of the creditors’ intention to attend the Creditors’ Meeting will assist the admission of creditors to the Creditors’ Meeting and is therefore strongly recommended. For more information on registering for and voting at the Creditors’ Meeting, please refer to Snoras website at http://www.snoras.com

---

European Investment Bank

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/12

---

Call for proposals — The European Investment Bank Institute proposes three new EIBURS sponsorships under its Knowledge Programme

2012/C 162/10

The European Investment Bank Institute channels most of its institutional relations with universities through its Knowledge Programme, consisting of three different programmes:

| — | EIBURS, the EIB University Research Sponsorship Programme, |
| --- | --- |

—

EIBURS, the EIB University Research Sponsorship Programme,

| — | STAREBEI (STAges de REcherche BEI), a programme for financing young researchers working on joint EIB-university projects, and |
| --- | --- |

—

STAREBEI (STAges de REcherche BEI), a programme for financing young researchers working on joint EIB-university projects, and

| — | EIB University Networks, a cooperation mechanism for university networks displaying characteristics that are of particular relevance to supporting the objectives of the EIB Group. |
| --- | --- |

—

EIB University Networks, a cooperation mechanism for university networks displaying characteristics that are of particular relevance to supporting the objectives of the EIB Group.

EIBURS provides grants to university research centres working on research topics and themes of major interest to the Bank. EIB sponsorships, of up to EUR 100 000 per year for a period of three years, are awarded through a competitive process to interested university departments or research centres associated with universities in EU, candidate or potential candidate countries, with recognised expertise in EIB-selected areas, so that they can expand their activities in these areas. Successful proposals entail the delivery of a variety of outputs (research, organisation of courses and seminars, networking, dissemination of results, etc.) that will be the subject of a contractual agreement with the Bank.

For the academic year 2012/2013, the EIBURS programme has selected three new lines of research:

Measuring impact beyond financial return

Since the global financial crisis started in 2008, ‘impact investing’ has attracted a great deal of attention in public debate, focusing on the question of how financial markets can better serve society’s needs and create value in a sustainable way. However, as much as there seems to be consensus on the fact that social impact has to play a more prominent role in investment decision-making, little progress has been made so far in defining the impact investing space and developing concepts for integrating social and environmental impact criteria into the investment process and measuring impact-related results.

The aim of the project is to explore ways of measuring and expressing the social impact generated by an investment activity in the areas of social entrepreneurship, sustainability-focused business models, and microfinance. The research should suggest ways of how to integrate social and/or environmental impact objectives into the investment decision approach of policy-driven investors.

The research work should include an empirical study on how impact-focused investors, with both institutional and non-institutional backgrounds, formulate impact objectives in their investment activities and at what stage such formulation of objectives occurs. It should further analyse the dynamics such impact objectives generate in the investment decision process and in the monitoring and management of the investment once the investment has been made. Of particular interest is the dynamics of the relationship between the social/environmental impact and the financial return and how impact results obtained at divestment compare with the impact thesis pursued in the initial investment decision.

Based on such empirical analysis the study should develop market evidence for the compatibility of social/environmental and financial objectives and describe in what circumstances such dynamics apply.

Proposals should specify in detail the research approach suggested by the university centre which, alongside the empirical study, may also involve courses, seminars/conferences, surveys and the creation of project-relevant databases. Research proposals should also show evidence how they can leverage practical insights from the operational activity of the European Investment Bank group (and in particular the European Investment Fund) in this space. Given the emergence of this market segment, cross-border university collaboration is encouraged and would constitute an asset in the selection process.

Financial literacy

The recent global economic crises have highlighted the importance of financial literacy, i.e. the set of skills and knowledge that allows individuals to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finance. Evidence suggests that insufficient financial literacy may have contributed to the sub-prime and related crises. This has given impetus to a number of State-run programmes in various countries in Europe and elsewhere.

The university research centre receiving support under the EIBURS would be expected to set up a research programme focused on reviewing existing initiatives in a critical manner, with the objective of identifying factors of success and best practice. To this end, alternative methodologies could be employed to assess the impact of such initiatives, such as econometric testing or impact evaluation frameworks. In addition, it would undertake a gap analysis for a selected number of EU countries.

The regional focus of the proposals would be on, but not limited to, OECD member countries. The applicants are encouraged to establish partnerships with other universities and research centres to undertake the research. The project may involve any additional activity that the university research centre would be ready to undertake with the sponsorship in the line of research, including:

| — | Organisation of courses, summer schools, conferences and seminars |
| --- | --- |

—

Organisation of courses, summer schools, conferences and seminars

| — | Creation of databases |
| --- | --- |

—

Creation of databases

| — | Surveys |
| --- | --- |

—

Surveys

Cost/Benefit analysis in the research, development and innovation sector

The measurement or assessment of the cost/benefit of research, development and innovation (RDI) infrastructure is notoriously difficult. And yet global policy discussions increasingly focus on innovation and the knowledge economy as a driver for long-term sustainable growth. A multitude of methods and indicators are used to study socio-economic impacts. The current methodology within the Bank is conservative and aligned to DG Regio’s ‘Guide to cost/benefit analysis of investment projects’. However, this document is itself deficient in its explanation of the RDI sector.

To fill the gap initially, the JASPERS team commissioned a consultant to work with the Czech authorities on development of a CBA Guide for R&D infrastructure. A couple of years of practical experience using this guidance has enabled the development of a good database, an overview of trends in the sector and an understanding of the value and limitations of the current guide.

An internal review of the guidance has further developed the understanding of the range of appropriate monetised values associated with the guidance, but has also revealed what is needed to further develop the guidance.

At the same time, the global interest in CBA in the sector has rocketed and there are many more studies of the sector than when the first guide was developed, carried out by both the management of major research facilities and specially developed forums on the subject (a good example would be FenRIAM (http://www.fenriam.eu/ or http://www.fenriam.eu/doc/FenRIAM%20full%20guide.pdf)).

The aim of the project is to build on the current internal review and produce a model which is academically credible, robust but at the same time easy to apply and easy to assess. In order to achieve this, the research team will have to review the current state-of-the-art literature in the field, assess willingness-to-pay models from Member States in relation to the various benefits which typically accrue from such projects, develop an understanding of market values where applicable associated with such potential benefits, and develop an understanding of the typical type of RDI infrastructure projects that come forward for funding. All of this will be within an appropriate theoretical framework.

Deliverables:

The university research centre receiving support under the EIBURS would be expected to set up a research programme focused on reviewing existing methodologies and forecasts of infrastructure investment needs, and to develop a unified methodology for forecasting cost/benefits for use within the Bank and by others (ideally project proposers). As this is a three-year study, the applicants are encouraged to propose timelines for the delivery of interim data. The project may involve any additional activity that the university centre would be ready to undertake with the sponsorship in the line of research, including:

| — | Organisation of courses, summer schools, conferences and seminars |
| --- | --- |

—

Organisation of courses, summer schools, conferences and seminars

| — | Creation of databases |
| --- | --- |

—

Creation of databases

| — | Surveys |
| --- | --- |

—

Surveys

This project should be complementary to any CBA guidance developed or updated by the major European institutions.

Proposals should be submitted in English or French and the deadline for presentation of proposals is 14 September 2012. Proposals submitted after this date will not be considered. Proposals should be sent to:

| | Electronic copy:

  universities@eib.org
  and |
| --- | --- |

Electronic copy:

universities@eib.org

and

| | Hard copy:






  EIB Institute |
| --- | --- |
| 98-100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer |
| 2950 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |

Hard copy:

EIB Institute

98-100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer

2950 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

For the attention of Ms Luísa FERREIRA, Co-ordinator.

For more exhaustive information on the EIBURS selection process and on the other programmes and mechanisms, please visit: http://institute.eib.org/

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/15

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6573 — ForFarmers/Agricola)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 162/11

| 1. | On 31 May 2012, 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 ForFarmers UK Ltd (‘ForFarmers UK’, United Kingdom), controlled by ForFarmers Group BV (‘ForFarmers’, The Netherlands), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Agricola Group Ltd (‘Agricola’, United Kingdom) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 31 May 2012, 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 ForFarmers UK Ltd (‘ForFarmers UK’, United Kingdom), controlled by ForFarmers Group BV (‘ForFarmers’, The Netherlands), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Agricola Group Ltd (‘Agricola’, United Kingdom) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for ForFarmers: production and supply of animal feed and other agricultural commodities, broiler breeders and miscellaneous agricultural services; supply of raw materials to the feed, food and fuel industry via its subsidiary Cefetra BV, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for ForFarmers: production and supply of animal feed and other agricultural commodities, broiler breeders and miscellaneous agricultural services; supply of raw materials to the feed, food and fuel industry via its subsidiary Cefetra BV,

| — | for Agricola: holding company for a group of companies operating under the trade name BOCM Pauls active in the supply of animal feed primarily in the United Kingdom. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Agricola: holding company for a group of companies operating under the trade name BOCM Pauls active in the supply of animal feed primarily in the United Kingdom.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope the EC 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 the EC 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 e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6573 — ForFarmers/Agricola, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6573 — ForFarmers/Agricola, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/16

---

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

2012/C 162/12

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘LAKELAND HERDWICK’

EC No: UK-PDO-0005-0891-06.09.2011

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Name:

‘Lakeland Herdwick’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

United Kingdom

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.1. | Fresh meat (and offal) |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.1.

Fresh meat (and offal)

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in point 1 applies:

Lakeland Herdwick is the name given to carcasses or cuts of meat derived from lamb and sheep of pure-bred flocks of Herdwick ewes and rams that have been born, raised and slaughtered in county of Cumbria. Lakeland Herdwick meat is fine grained and tender with a more intense flavour resulting from slow maturation and a long grazing period. The colour of the Lakeland Herdwick meat product is pink to dark pink usually darker than commercial lowland breeds. The fat is firm, malleable white fat.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only):

The Herdwick sheep graze England’s highest mountains and high fells of the Lake District in the county of Cumbria in the north-west of England. Herdwick sheep are produced on the high hill farms in the central and western Lake District. The sheep feed on the herbage of the fells including grasses, heather and plants such as bilberry. Lambs and ewes finished for slaughter are fed either on grass, hay or silage and/or supplementary feed depending on the time of year. The supplementary feed is locally sourced.

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

All stages in the production must take place in the designated area. Lamb must be:

| — | born, |
| --- | --- |

—

born,

| — | reared, |
| --- | --- |

—

reared,

| — | finished, |
| --- | --- |

—

finished,

| — | slaughtered, |
| --- | --- |

—

slaughtered,

| — | carcase stamped as outlined in point 3.7, in the defined geographical area. |
| --- | --- |

—

carcase stamped as outlined in point 3.7, in the defined geographical area.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:

—

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

The product must be released for consumption bearing Lakeland Herdwick carcase stamp, in order to identify it and guarantee its origin. Marking must be carried out at the abattoir. The meat is displayed for sale in the cuts described in point 3.2. The Lakeland Herdwick carcase stamp must be impressed on the carcase surface so that it lies on the outward side of the cuts.

In addition to the EU graphic symbol and indications and the information required by law, the packaging must carry on the label the following indications in clear and legible print:

| — | the name ‘Lakeland Herdwick’ followed by the words ‘Protected Designation of Origin’, |
| --- | --- |

—

the name ‘Lakeland Herdwick’ followed by the words ‘Protected Designation of Origin’,

| — | the name, business name, address of the producing or packaging enterprise. |
| --- | --- |

—

the name, business name, address of the producing or packaging enterprise.

The Lakeland Herdwick carcase stamp takes the form of an oval containing the words ‘LAKELAND’ (above) and ‘HERDWICK’ (below) with a central capitalised letter identifying the abattoir of slaughter.

Image

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

County of Cumbria

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The Lake District was designated as a national park in 1951 and the Lake District and its hinterland is commonly referred to as ‘Lakeland’. The county of Cumbria was created in the 1970s out of the former counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Herdwick sheep live all of the year on England’s highest and roughest terrain which also has the country’s highest rainfall. They graze England’s highest mountains and high fells of the Lake District and feed on the herbage of the fells including grasses, heather and plants such as bilberry. The heart of Herdwick country is the western and central parts of the Lake District National Park.

Much of this land is unfenced fell grazing including large areas of common land. The Herdwick sheep learn through shepherding and grazing with their mothers where on the open fell their farm’s grazing area is — known locally as the ‘heaf’. This is a complex system which depends strongly on succeeding generations of female sheep being taught where on the fell they should be grazing. This is so important that it is often the case that Herdwick farms have ‘landlord’s’ flocks — i.e. a nucleus of female breeding sheep which are heafed to the parts of the fell relevant to that farm, with this flock forming the basis of the farm’s sheep enterprise. Typically this would amount to around a third of the overall flock but numbers vary between farms.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

Herdwick sheep are the native breed of the central and western Lake District in Cumbria; they are regarded as a supreme example of a breed that is adapted to particular climatic and geomorphologic conditions. The National Sheep Association ‘British Sheep’ ninth edition published in 1998 says about the Herdwick: ‘They are essentially a high hill breed and are widely thought to the hardiest British breed, exceptionally suited to their terrain’.

Carcase characteristics:

| | Lambs are 8 to 12 months old by time of slaughter, as compared to commercial lowland lambs which can be as young as 4 months at slaughter. They have a live weight of between 28 kg and 40 kg and a dead weight of between 14 kg and 22 kg. |
| --- | --- |

Lambs are 8 to 12 months old by time of slaughter, as compared to commercial lowland lambs which can be as young as 4 months at slaughter. They have a live weight of between 28 kg and 40 kg and a dead weight of between 14 kg and 22 kg.

| | Herdwick shearling and older animals sold for mutton can weigh in excess of 38 kg live weight and 18 kg deadweight. Lakeland Herdwick lamb carcasses classify as ‘O’s on the meat and livestock EUROP classification system and Lakeland Herdwick shearlings/mutton as ‘R’s. Mutton is usually from an animal greater than 2 years old. Shearling is a lamb that has its first shear the year after its birth — between 15 months and 2 years old. | Live weight range | Dead weight range | Typical EUROP classification |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lamb | 28-40 kg | 14-22 kg | O |
| Shearling/mutton | 38 kg + | 18 kg + | R |

Herdwick shearling and older animals sold for mutton can weigh in excess of 38 kg live weight and 18 kg deadweight. Lakeland Herdwick lamb carcasses classify as ‘O’s on the meat and livestock EUROP classification system and Lakeland Herdwick shearlings/mutton as ‘R’s. Mutton is usually from an animal greater than 2 years old. Shearling is a lamb that has its first shear the year after its birth — between 15 months and 2 years old.

Live weight range

Dead weight range

Typical EUROP classification

Lamb

28-40 kg

14-22 kg

O

Shearling/mutton

38 kg +

18 kg +

R

| | Lakeland Herdwick meat is renowned for its distinctive taste and eating quality — a natural result of the lambs maturing slowly on the heather and grasses of the Lake District fells. The meat is succulent, tender with a more gamey flavour than conventional lamb. A scientific study by J. D. WOOD, Division of Food Animal Science, University of Bristol showed that the taste and texture of Lakeland Herdwick lamb was superior to lamb from lowland breeds and that the meat contained beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids. |
| --- | --- |

Lakeland Herdwick meat is renowned for its distinctive taste and eating quality — a natural result of the lambs maturing slowly on the heather and grasses of the Lake District fells. The meat is succulent, tender with a more gamey flavour than conventional lamb. A scientific study by J. D. WOOD, Division of Food Animal Science, University of Bristol showed that the taste and texture of Lakeland Herdwick lamb was superior to lamb from lowland breeds and that the meat contained beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids.

| | The difference in taste of Lakeland Herdwick lamb was demonstrated by a research project conducted for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between October 1996 and June 1997 by J. D. WOOD, Division of Food Animal Science, University of Bristol, titled ‘An investigation of flavours in meat from sheep grown slowly or more quickly on grass diets’. This research demonstrated that Lakeland Herdwicks were shown to have ‘superior’ flavour and ‘high levels of eating quality’ when compared to standard commercial cross-bred lambs. The study also confirmed previous findings for lamb of the high contents of stearic and α-linolenic fatty acids in comparison with beef and pork. The favourable changes in flavour appeared to be due to the increasing amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids deposited in the muscle as the sheep aged. The study concluded that the higher proportion of total fat (marbling fat) and polyunsaturated fatty acids are positive attributes of Lakeland Herdwick lamb. |
| --- | --- |

The difference in taste of Lakeland Herdwick lamb was demonstrated by a research project conducted for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between October 1996 and June 1997 by J. D. WOOD, Division of Food Animal Science, University of Bristol, titled ‘An investigation of flavours in meat from sheep grown slowly or more quickly on grass diets’. This research demonstrated that Lakeland Herdwicks were shown to have ‘superior’ flavour and ‘high levels of eating quality’ when compared to standard commercial cross-bred lambs. The study also confirmed previous findings for lamb of the high contents of stearic and α-linolenic fatty acids in comparison with beef and pork. The favourable changes in flavour appeared to be due to the increasing amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids deposited in the muscle as the sheep aged. The study concluded that the higher proportion of total fat (marbling fat) and polyunsaturated fatty acids are positive attributes of Lakeland Herdwick lamb.

| | These farms also depend on the use of the lower ground in the area to produce lambs for the food chain and some lowland farms also produce Herdwick lambs. The majority of Lakeland Herdwick sheep meat derives from the male (wether) lambs as most of the females are kept for breeding. It is mainly the meat products from these male animals and the mutton from geld ewes that are produced for human consumption. |
| --- | --- |

These farms also depend on the use of the lower ground in the area to produce lambs for the food chain and some lowland farms also produce Herdwick lambs. The majority of Lakeland Herdwick sheep meat derives from the male (wether) lambs as most of the females are kept for breeding. It is mainly the meat products from these male animals and the mutton from geld ewes that are produced for human consumption.

5.3.   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):

Herdwick sheep are regarded as a supreme example of a breed that has adapted to the particular climatic and geomorphologic conditions of the Lake District. The Lakeland Herdwick meat is renowned for its distinctive taste and eating quality — this is a natural result of the lambs maturing slowly on the heather and grasses of the Lake District fells. All supplementary feed is sourced locally.

The word ‘Herdwick’ can be traced back to the 12th century and actually means the pasture where the sheep are kept seemingly derived from the old Norse ‘Herd-vic’ meaning a sheep farm. In the Lake District the word was used well into the 17th century to describe small sheep farms, however, by the 18th century the name was firmly attached to the breed itself.

Today, there are around 50 000 Herdwick sheep kept commercially on around 120 farms in the Lake District some owned by the National Trust. In the 1920s, Beatrix Potter (Mrs Heelis) invested money earned from her Peter Rabbit stories in buying up Lake District farms under threat from development or afforestation. On these farms she encouraged the revival of the Herdwick breed. On her death in 1943, she left all her farms to the National Trust, specifying that the sheep on these farms should be kept as pure Herdwicks.

Lakeland Herdwick lamb was served at the Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation dinner in 1953.

Reference to publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/industry/regional/foodname/products/documents/lakeland-herdwick-pdo-111109.pdf

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

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| 8.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 162/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/20

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

2012/C 162/13

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PORC DU SUD-OUEST’

EC No: FR-PGI-0005-0909-07.11.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.1: | Fresh meat (and offal) |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.1:

Fresh meat (and offal)

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

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat is fresh meat obtained from pigs born and raised in the South-West of France and fed with a minimum of 30 % of dent maize during the entire course of their fattening period (which starts 12 weeks after birth).

They are slaughtered at a minimum warm carcass weight of 90 kg (with no upper weight limit) with a 3 kg tolerance during periods of intense summer heat (from 1 June to 30 September).

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ carcasses have an ultimate pH of between 5,5 and 6,2.

The cuts obtained from these carcasses have a colour score of 3 to 6 on the Japanese colour scale for loins.

From a physical and chemical perspective, ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (with in particular a linoleic acid level of between 10 % and 15 % of the total fatty acids making up the meat's fat content) and less rich in saturated fatty acids.

It is also rich in lipids and vitamin E.

From an organoleptic point of view, ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat is redder than standard pork, is juicy and tender and has an intensive taste.

In order to limit the stress on the pigs, which has a negative influence on the ultimate pH and reduces the quality of the meat, the distance between the farm and the slaughterhouse must be as short as possible: a maximum of 200 km or six hours of transport between the farm and the slaughterhouse.

When put on the market, fresh ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat is sold fresh in the following formats: carcasses, half-carcasses, cuts, boned or bone-in meats.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

Not applicable.

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only):

During the entire rearing period, the feed must not contain manioc, sweet potato, swill, meat-and-bone meal, feathers, blood or any other protein from land animals, except for gelatines used as a base for vitamins and minerals and for proteins obtained from milk and milk products.

From weaning to slaughter, the pigs are given feed containing a minimum of 60 % of cereal grains and their products and by-products.

During the fattening period, which is from 12 weeks after birth until slaughter, the feed must neither contain palm oil (a source of saturated fatty acids) nor products obtained from fish, animal fat or growth-promoting additives. During the same period, the pigs are given feed containing at least 30 % of dent maize and between 1,1 % (11 g/kg of feed) and 1,7 % (17 g/kg of feed) of linoleic acid.

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

The fact that the various stages of rearing of the pigs (birth, post-weaning, fattening) must be located in the geographical area guarantees the quality of the meat.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:

Not applicable.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

The product's labelling includes:

| — | the name of the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ |
| --- | --- |

—

the name of the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’

| — | The European Union's PGI logo in colour, possibly with the added wording ‘Protected Geographical Indication’. |
| --- | --- |

—

The European Union's PGI logo in colour, possibly with the added wording ‘Protected Geographical Indication’.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The geographical area of the ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ PGI covers the following administrative regions:

| — | Aquitaine region, |
| --- | --- |

—

Aquitaine region,

| — | Midi-Pyrénées region, |
| --- | --- |

—

Midi-Pyrénées region,

| — | Poitou-Charentes region. |
| --- | --- |

—

Poitou-Charentes region.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The South-West has two specificities: it has for a very long time been an area for the production of pigs and it has a tradition of using dent maize, which adds specific nutritional features to the pigs’ feed given that the area has a favourable climate for its cultivation.

An area with a long tradition of pig production

Pig farming has been prominent in the South-West for several centuries. Several piglet trade fairs and markets dating back to the Middle Ages bear witness to this farming tradition: Garlin, Tarbes, Lembeye, Soumoulou, Dax, Garris, Saint Palais, Rabastens de Bigorre, Puylaurens, Villefranche de Rouergue, spreading to Aveyron and Tarn at the end of the 19th century.

In 1862, three departments in the South-West (Dordogne, Corrèze, Aveyron) were the first three French departments in which pigs were herded.

For a long time, pork accounted for the bulk of the meat consumed in the rural areas of the South-West. Most country families owned a pig whose slaughter during winter represented a genuine cause for celebration with family and neighbours. Their expertise strengthened over time: the pig carcasses were used up in their entirety (local consumption followed by market sale), as fresh meat or as processed meat (savoury, dried or preserved in fat). Ancestral traditions and recipes survive today among rural families in the South-West.

The local heritage attests abundantly to this age-old production and consumption of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat (legal texts, literature, documents, works of art, etc.).

Traditional use of dent maize which adds specific features to the pigs’ feed

The South-West is a historical area for the production of grain maize (89 % of national production in 1930 and 41 % today). With more than three times as much agricultural area in use dedicated to grain maize than in other French departments, the South-West produces more than 50 times as much as its pig-farming sector needs.

The type of maize grown in the South-West is mainly dent maize for historical reasons, but above all because of the area's climatic conditions that favour this late variety which requires a great deal of heat and humidity: high temperatures during its entire growing cycle and heavy rainfall during the summer. The risk of having overall temperatures in the South-West which do not meet the needs of late varieties is less than 20 % — an acceptable risk for farmers operating in this geographical area. Farmers in the South-West also exclusively grow dent maize because the yield of late maize is 15 % to 20 % higher than that of earlier varieties.

Dent maize has particular nutritional properties: low humidity when harvested (between 25 % and 30 %) and a high starch content which gives it a high energy value (between 750 g and 780 g/kg of dry matter). It is characterised above all by specific fats, essentially made up of unsaturated fatty acids which account for 60 % of the total fatty acids, including linoleic acid (omega 6). Dent maize is also rich in E vitamins (1,1 mg to 1,8 mg/g). It is a high-energy cereal.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

A meat with specific qualities

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat has a specific make-up in terms of fat content, with a low level of saturated fatty acids (around 40 %) and a high level of unsaturated fatty acids (almost 60 %) which are essential to the human organism as they cannot be synthesised by the body. They are present both in subcutaneous and in intramuscular fat.

Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, accounts for 10 % to 15 % of the meat's total fatty acids.

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat also contains a relatively high level of lipids (around 5,4 % of the fatty acids compared to 3,8 % for standard French pork), a controlled and optimum pH (between 5,5 and 6,2) and a high level of vitamin E (an antioxidant). The results of comparative analyses carried out in January 2011 between fillets of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat and standard French pork revealed a higher level (15 % more) of vitamin E in ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat (0,16 mg/100 g) than in standard French pork (0,13 mg/100 g).

The meat's specific physical and chemical characteristics have an impact on its organoleptic properties and make it renowned for its juiciness, tenderness and intensive taste when cooked.

The meat's juiciness and tenderness vary according to the quantity of lipids and water it contains, and above all according to its capacity for retaining water. ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat has a higher lipid content and the linoleic acid reduces the size of adipocytes, which increases water retention, as does the pH which ranges from 5,5 to 6,2.

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat has an intensive taste when cooked. The meat's flavour, that is to say the olfactory and gustatory sensations it triggers when tasted, depends for the most part on its lipid and pH levels. Lipolysis and oxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids lead to the formation of simple secondary molecules. The latter shape the overall intensity of the taste, which is higher than in standard pork, as well as the intensity of the aroma of the product when cooked and tasted.

The flavour and aroma also depend on the release of molecules during the maturation phase. This only occurs at a certain pH level, in accordance with the pH included in the specifications for the ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ PGI.

The consumer recognises this difference.

Moreover, ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat is redder than standard French pork. The meat's colour depends on the quantity of myoglobin it contains.

The high levels of vitamin E in ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat slow down the loss of its red colour during preservation since vitamin E retains myoglobin and acts as a form of protection during oxidation.

There is a sufficient amount of skin and intramuscular fat, which is white in colour.

A tradition of rearing ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ animals which are heavier than standard French pigs

Pigs reared in the South-West have always been heavier than standard French pigs. In terms of weight, the results of slaughtering in 2010 show that standard French pork had an average carcass weight of 91,71 kg compared to 94,03 kg for ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat (with an average weight of 121 kg before slaughter).

This tradition of rearing heavier pigs led in 1967 to the creation of a quotation area in the South-West in order to take stock of transactions of pigs reared in the South-West. This quotation area, which concerns the heavier carcasses of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat, is recognised by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2112/69 of 28 October 1969 (OJ 29.10.1969). A variable payment system applying to carcasses of pigs from the South-West — an inheritance of the South-West quotation — is still in force today and is still published by the ‘Service des Nouvelles des Marchés’.

The renown of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat

The tradition of producing pigs which are both heavier than average and maize-fed led groups of producers to start showcasing and ‘protecting’ their product by collectively organising their supply. The ‘Porc au grain du Sud-Ouest’ quality-based approach, launched by ‘Interprofession Porcine d'Aquitaine’ in the 1980s, led to the obtaining of a ‘Label Rouge’ (Red Label) which gave a true status to pork from the South-West.

‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat continues this approach and shares common characteristics with Red Label ‘Porc au grain du Sud-Ouest’ meat: the feed ration is characterised by a high proportion of maize and cereals and the meat's characteristics meet the same physical, chemical and visual criteria. Finally, identical — or even stricter — requirements apply in terms of the sorting and showcasing of carcasses.

This approach made ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat a resounding success from the very start, a success which continues today. Proof of this includes press articles and cooking recipes published in dailies and specialised magazines since 1991, the number of operators following the approach (1997-2010) and internet pages dedicated to the product. The reputation of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat is well established thanks to this approach and its renown.

The renown of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat has survived over the years and still remains very strong. This is demonstrated by the spontaneous choice of consumers who have a clear preference for it, who consider it significantly different from standard French pork and who are prepared to pay a higher price for it.

5.3.   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):

Dent maize-based feed at the root of the meat's specificities

The South-West area has two specificities: it has for a very long time been an area for the production of pigs and it has a tradition of using dent maize which adds specific nutritional features to the pigs’ feed given that the area has a favourable climate for its cultivation.

The extent of the cultivation of dent maize in the South-West allowed it to be used as feed for fattening purposes: it accounts for a minimum of 30 % of the feed intake of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ pigs as from the 12th week after birth. The feed must also contain a minimum of 1,1 % of linoleic acid. The meat's specificity is thus explained by the animals' consumption of feed containing a high proportion of dent maize, which gives it a higher energy content and makes it richer in linoleic acid: the meat has a specific make-up in terms of fat content, with a low level of saturated fatty acids, a high level of unsaturated fatty acids and a relatively high level of lipids and of E vitamins.

It has also been amply demonstrated in several studies that, the pig being a monogastric animal, the physical and chemical characteristics of the pork are closely related to those of the animals' diet which, thanks to a high dent maize content, contains a high proportion of linoleic acid.

In monogastric animals, fatty acids in their feed are deposited directly into the tissues without any chemical changes while this is not true for ruminants: the latter saturate the fatty acids in their feed, thus stripping polyunsaturated fatty acids of their nutritional advantages (C. Dutertre, agronomist).

In pigs, the nature of the fatty acids in their diet impacts directly on the composition of fatty acids in their adipose tissues (Flanzy et al 1970, Brooks 1971, Desmoulin et al 1983, Rhee et al 1988, «Effets de la nature lipidique des régimes sur la composition en acides gras du jambon chez le porc lourd», Pantaleo et al, 1999).

The polyunsaturated fatty acids which are ingested by ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ pigs can be found in the animals' adipose tissues (Courboulay et Mourot 1995, Warmants et al 1999, Courboulay et al. 1999). This was already clearly brought to the fore in the results of experiments carried out by ADAESO (‘Association pour le Développement Agro-Environnemental du Sud-Ouest’) between 1994 and 2000.

As far as the composition of lipids in the carcasses is concerned, it is thus well established that the make-up of fatty acids in the tissues, particularly in the adipose tissues, is closely linked to the amount of fatty acids in the diet.

A study carried out by ADAESO showed that a diet containing 30 % of dent maize (minimum specification) guarantees the specific qualities of ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat.

We can thus conclude that the specific characteristics which make ‘Porc du Sud-Ouest’ meat so reputable (red colour, juiciness, tenderness and intensive taste) stem essentially from the local expertise of farmers in the South-West, who preserve local traditions by fattening pigs with dent maize, making them heavier, and from the specific qualities of dent maize as regards its composition in fatty acids.

Reference to publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

https://www.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/CDCPorcduSudOuest31012012.pdf

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

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