# Official Journal C 288/2012

| | ISSN 1977-091X
  doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.288.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 288 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5525 September 2012 |

ISSN 1977-091X

doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.288.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 288

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5525 September 2012

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | Council |
| 2012/C 288/01 | Council Decision of 24 September 2012 appointing one member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency | 1 |
| 2012/C 288/02 | Council Decision of 24 September 2012 adopting the Council position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2012 | 2 |
| 2012/C 288/03 | Council Decision of 24 September 2012 appointing one member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency | 4 |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 288/04 | Euro exchange rates | 5 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2012/C 288/05 | Commission notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2012/C 288/06 | Commission communication pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations | 7 |
| 2012/C 288/07 | Reorganisation measures — Decision on closing the financial recovery procedure for Forte Asigurări SA (Publication in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings) | 8 |

Notice No

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

2012/C 288/01

Council Decision of 24 September 2012 appointing one member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency

1

2012/C 288/02

Council Decision of 24 September 2012 adopting the Council position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2012

2

2012/C 288/03

Council Decision of 24 September 2012 appointing one member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency

4

European Commission

2012/C 288/04

Euro exchange rates

5

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2012/C 288/05

Commission notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services (
  1
  )

1

6

2012/C 288/06

Commission communication pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

7

2012/C 288/07

Reorganisation measures — Decision on closing the financial recovery procedure for Forte Asigurări SA (Publication in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings)

(Publication in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings)

8

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 288/08 | 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 | 9 |
| 2012/C 288/09 | 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 | 13 |

V   Announcements

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2012/C 288/08

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

9

2012/C 288/09

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

13

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/1

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 24 September 2012

appointing one member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency

2012/C 288/01

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency (1), and in particular Article 79 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 79 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 provides that the Council is to appoint as Members of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency (‘the Management Board’) one representative from each Member State. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 79 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 provides that the Council is to appoint as Members of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency (‘the Management Board’) one representative from each Member State.

| (2) | By Decision of 17 May 2011 (2) the Council appointed 15 members of the Management Board, including one from Belgium. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

By Decision of 17 May 2011 (2) the Council appointed 15 members of the Management Board, including one from Belgium.

| (3) | The Belgian Government has informed the Council of its intention to replace the Belgian representative on the Management Board and has submitted a nomination for a new representative, who should be appointed for a period which runs until 31 May 2015, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The Belgian Government has informed the Council of its intention to replace the Belgian representative on the Management Board and has submitted a nomination for a new representative, who should be appointed for a period which runs until 31 May 2015,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Mr Jean Roger DRÈZE of Belgian nationality, born on 6 June 1951, shall be appointed member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency in place of Mr Helmut DE VOS for the period from 25 September 2012 to 31 May 2015.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 24 September 2012.

For the Council

The President

S. ALETRARIS

---

(1)  OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

1

(2)  OJ C 151, 21.5.2011, p. 1.

2

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| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/2

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 24 September 2012

adopting the Council position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2012

2012/C 288/02

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 314 thereof, in conjunction with the Treaty establishing the European Atomic and Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (1), as last amended by Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1081/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 (2), and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Whereas:

| — | the Union's budget for the financial year 2012 was definitively adopted on 1 December 2011 (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

the Union's budget for the financial year 2012 was definitively adopted on 1 December 2011 (3),

| — | on 20 June 2012, the Commission submitted a proposal containing draft amending budget No 4 to the general budget for the financial year 2012, |
| --- | --- |

—

on 20 June 2012, the Commission submitted a proposal containing draft amending budget No 4 to the general budget for the financial year 2012,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The Council's position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2012 was adopted on 24 September 2012.

The full text can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the Council's website: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/

Done at Brussels, 24 September 2012.

For the Council

The President

A. D. MAVROYIANNIS

---

(1)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1, with corrigenda in OJ L 25, 30.1.2003, p. 43 and in OJ L 99, 14.4.2007, p. 18.

1

(2)  OJ L 311, 26.11.2010, p. 9.

2

(3)  OJ L 56, 29.2.2012, with corrigenda in OJ L 79, 19.3.2012, p. 1 and in OJ L 184, 13.7.2012, p. 19.

3

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ANNEX

DRAFT LETTER

| from | : | President of the Council |
| --- | --- | --- |
| to | : | President of the European Parliament |

from

:

President of the Council

to

:

President of the European Parliament

Sir,

I am forwarding under separate cover the Council's position on draft amending budget No 4 for the financial year 2012, adopted by the Council on 19 September 2012.

(Complimentary close).

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| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/4

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 24 September 2012

appointing one member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency

2012/C 288/03

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency (1), and in particular Article 79 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 79 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 provides that the Council is to appoint as members of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency (‘the Management Board’) one representative from each Member State. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 79 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 provides that the Council is to appoint as members of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency (‘the Management Board’) one representative from each Member State.

| (2) | By Decision of 7 June 2007 (2) the Council appointed 27 members of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

By Decision of 7 June 2007 (2) the Council appointed 27 members of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency.

| (3) | The Hungarian Government has informed the Council of its intention to replace the Hungarian representative on the Management Board and has submitted a nomination for a new representative, who should be appointed for a period which runs until 31 May 2013, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The Hungarian Government has informed the Council of its intention to replace the Hungarian representative on the Management Board and has submitted a nomination for a new representative, who should be appointed for a period which runs until 31 May 2013,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Ms. Krisztina CSENGŐDY of Hungarian nationality, born on 9 January 1961, shall be appointed member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency in place of Mr. Zoltán ADAMIS for the period from 25 September 2012 to 31 May 2013.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 24 September 2012.

For the Council

The President

S. ALETRARIS

---

(1)  OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

1

(2)  OJ C 134, 16.6.2007, p. 6.

2

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European Commission

| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/5

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Euro exchange rates (1)

24 September 2012

2012/C 288/04

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2916 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 100,79 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4563 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,79680 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 8,4928 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,2095 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,4370 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,940 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 283,28 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6963 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1540 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,5183 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,3259 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,2415 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,2668 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,0130 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5742 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5871 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 446,53 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 10,7171 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,1491 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4265 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 12 351,43 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 3,9691 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 53,931 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 40,3205 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,949 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,6175 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,6727 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 69,0680 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2916

JPY

Japanese yen

100,79

DKK

Danish krone

7,4563

GBP

Pound sterling

0,79680

SEK

Swedish krona

8,4928

CHF

Swiss franc

1,2095

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,4370

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,940

HUF

Hungarian forint

283,28

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6963

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1540

RON

Romanian leu

4,5183

TRY

Turkish lira

2,3259

AUD

Australian dollar

1,2415

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,2668

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,0130

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5742

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5871

KRW

South Korean won

1 446,53

ZAR

South African rand

10,7171

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,1491

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4265

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

12 351,43

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

3,9691

PHP

Philippine peso

53,931

RUB

Russian rouble

40,3205

THB

Thai baht

39,949

BRL

Brazilian real

2,6175

MXN

Mexican peso

16,6727

INR

Indian rupee

69,0680

---

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

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/6

---

Commission notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 288/05

| Member State | United Kingdom |
| --- | --- |
| Route concerned | Tingwall–Fair Isle; Tingwall–Foula; Tingwall–Papa Stour; Tingwall–Out Skerries |
| Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations | 31 December 1997 |
| Date of entry into force of modifications | 1 April 2013 |
| Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained | Shetland Islands Council |
| Transport Planning Service |
| Development Services Department |
| 8 North Ness Business Park |
| Lerwick |
| Shetland |
| Scotland |
| ZE1 0LZ |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tel. +44 1595744868 |
| E-mail: transport@shetland.gov.uk |
| Internet: http://www.shetland.gov.uk |

Member State

United Kingdom

Route concerned

Tingwall–Fair Isle; Tingwall–Foula; Tingwall–Papa Stour; Tingwall–Out Skerries

Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations

31 December 1997

Date of entry into force of modifications

1 April 2013

Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained

Shetland Islands Council

Transport Planning Service

Development Services Department

8 North Ness Business Park

Lerwick

Shetland

Scotland

ZE1 0LZ

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1595744868

E-mail: transport@shetland.gov.uk

Internet: http://www.shetland.gov.uk

---

| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/7

---

Commission communication pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

2012/C 288/06

| Member State | United Kingdom |
| --- | --- |
| Route concerned | Tingwall–Fair Isle; Tingwall–Foula; Tingwall–Papa Stour; Tingwall–Out Skerries |
| Period of validity of the contract | 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2016 with option to extend to 31 March 2017 |
| Deadline for submission of applications and tenders | 4 December 2012 |
| Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained | Shetland Islands Council |
| Transport Planning Service |
| Development Services Department |
| 8 North Ness Business Park |
| Lerwick |
| Shetland |
| Scotland |
| ZE1 0LZ |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tel. +44 1595744868 |
| E-mail: transport@shetland.gov.uk |
| Internet: http://www.shetland.gov.uk |

Member State

United Kingdom

Route concerned

Tingwall–Fair Isle; Tingwall–Foula; Tingwall–Papa Stour; Tingwall–Out Skerries

Period of validity of the contract

1 April 2013 to 31 March 2016 with option to extend to 31 March 2017

Deadline for submission of applications and tenders

4 December 2012

Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained

Shetland Islands Council

Transport Planning Service

Development Services Department

8 North Ness Business Park

Lerwick

Shetland

Scotland

ZE1 0LZ

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1595744868

E-mail: transport@shetland.gov.uk

Internet: http://www.shetland.gov.uk

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| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/8

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Reorganisation measures

Decision on closing the financial recovery procedure for Forte Asigurări SA

(Publication in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings)

2012/C 288/07

| Insurance undertaking | Forte Asigurări SA, with its registered office at Calea Grivitei nr. 6, etaj 5, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, registered at the Trade Register Office under No J40/1814/11.3.1996, Single Registration Number 8209593, represented legally by Guglielmo Frinzi, as Director-General |
| --- | --- |
| Date, entry into force and nature of the decision | Decision No 452 of 7 August 2012 on closing the financial recovery procedure, based on a financial recovery plan, for Forte Asigurări SA. |
| Competent authorities | Insurance Supervisory Commission, with its head office at Str. Amiral Constantin Bălescu nr. 18, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, Tax Registration Number 14045240/1.7.2001 |
| Supervisory authority | Insurance Supervisory Commission, with its head office at Str. Amiral Constantin Bălescu nr. 18, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, Tax Registration Number 14045240/1.7.2001 |
| Applicable law | Law No 32/2000 on insurance and insurance supervision, as amended |

Insurance undertaking

Forte Asigurări SA, with its registered office at Calea Grivitei nr. 6, etaj 5, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, registered at the Trade Register Office under No J40/1814/11.3.1996, Single Registration Number 8209593, represented legally by Guglielmo Frinzi, as Director-General

Date, entry into force and nature of the decision

Decision No 452 of 7 August 2012 on closing the financial recovery procedure, based on a financial recovery plan, for Forte Asigurări SA.

Competent authorities

Insurance Supervisory Commission, with its head office at Str. Amiral Constantin Bălescu nr. 18, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, Tax Registration Number 14045240/1.7.2001

Supervisory authority

Insurance Supervisory Commission, with its head office at Str. Amiral Constantin Bălescu nr. 18, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, Tax Registration Number 14045240/1.7.2001

Applicable law

Law No 32/2000 on insurance and insurance supervision, as amended

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V Announcements

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/9

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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 288/08

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

‘HOLSTEINER TILSITER’

EC No: DE-PGI-0005-0807-26.04.2010

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Germany

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.3. | Cheese |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.3.

Cheese

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

‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ is a traditionally produced semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that is continuously worked with Brevibacterium linens during the ripening phase and has between 30 % and 60 % fat in the dry matter. ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ can be made from either raw milk or pasteurised milk. Other than the classic wheel shape, the cheese is being made increasingly in a loaf shape. It has a thin, yellow-brown, natural rind that is processed with a mixture of Brevibacterium linens, whey and skimmed milk or brine during the ripening phase, which is at least five weeks long. The light yellow cheese is semi-hard, springy and very supple. As a result of the special production method, ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ features the eyes and cracks that are typical for Tilsiter. The flavour ranges from mild and lightly aromatic to strong and spicy, depending on how long the cheese is stored. The cheese is produced in a loaf or box shape weighing from 3,5 kg to 5,0 kg.

‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ is produced with three different fat contents: from 30 % fat in the dry matter, from 45 % fat in the dry matter and from 60 % fat in the dry matter. The minimum fat content is 30 % fat in the dry matter. Spices are generally not added during the production of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’. Where the cheese is spiced, caraway is the only ingredient used for this purpose. No other spices are used.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

The milk to be used does not have to originate in the above geographical area.

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

—

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

All steps in the cheese-making process from receiving the raw materials to the minimum five week-long storage and ripening process must take place in the defined geographical area.

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

—

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

—

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

Schleswig-Holstein in the Federal Republic of Germany. The historically documented production area for ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ has covered Schleswig-Holstein in its present day borders since the first half of the 20th century (around 1920).

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The special manufacturing process, the particular quality resulting from it and the appearance of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ have only been able to develop in this way here due to the interaction of the following particular conditions:

The climate in Schleswig-Holstein is heavily influenced by the sea as it is situated between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The geographical location and the soil characteristics have led to the development of special plant associations and as a result particular feed properties. This was to the benefit of both milk production and cheese-making and is reflected not least in the spicy, aromatic character of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’.

There is a long tradition of milk production in Schleswig-Holstein as Schleswig-Holstein offers excellent conditions. At the end of the 16th century the dairy industry in Schleswig and Holstein started to produce a greater volume of products than the two duchies themselves required. At that time Dutch refugees brought with them knowledge of professional milk production. The structure of cooperative dairy farming developed at the end of the 19th century. 251 new farms were founded in 1888 alone. Both the structure of milk-producing holdings and the excellent level of training together with the favourable climatic and soil conditions make Schleswig-Holstein one of Europe's favoured milk production locations. So it is not without good reason that the world-renowned breed of dairy cattle is named ‘Holstein-Friesian’ (also commonly referred to as ‘Schwarzbunte’, or Black and White Holsteins, in Germany). The availability of milk and calf rennet allowed the art of cheese-making to flourish in the Land. However, milk from outside the geographical area is nowadays also used in cheese made in Schleswig-Holstein.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ has had an excellent reputation as a high-quality, local cheese speciality for about 120 years. Old documents show that there was a comparable cheese in the Holsteinische Schweiz at Gut Behl as early as the 16th century. The Tilsiter recipe was described for the first time in 1840 by Mrs Westpfahl who lived on a farm in the town of Tilsit in East Prussia as it was at the time. The cheese was given its name on this basis. This recipe made it to what is today Schleswig-Holstein, where it quickly became the most popular cheese as it still is today, at the end of the 19th century.

‘Käsebereitung und Käsespeisen in Deutschland seit 1800’ (Frank Roeb, Mainz 1976) states: ‘In Schleswig-Holstein Tilsit was not produced until even later. Reports suggest that this cheese was not made there much before 1900. Later it would even receive funding from the state (from 1929, see Middelhauve)’.

Today, Schleswig-Holstein is a centre for the production of Tilsit (see ‘Dr. Oetker Lebensmittel-Lexikon’, 2004, p. 812; C. Dumont, ‘Kulinarisches Lexikon’, 1998, p. 516; ‘Essen & Trinken im Detail’ article — ‘mein coop magazin’: ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter und Beaujolais AOC’). The article entitled ‘Tilsiter — Käse der Ostsee’ from the ‘Hamburg Slow Food Convivium’ (Burchard Bösche, 2005) declares that ‘Schleswig-Holstein, the Land between the seas, is now the undisputed hub of Tilsit production’.

Statements from institutions in the sector confirm that ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ has become a well-known and loved regional speciality and is also the name most closely associated with Tilsit cheese produced in Schleswig-Holstein. This is supported by the mention of it as a regional cheese speciality in ‘Kulturgeschichte der deutschen Küche’ by Peter Peter (2005, p. 135), where it says ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter, Würchwitzer Milbenkäse, Allgäuer Bergkäse, (...) in comparison to France and Italy and even to England or Ireland, the selection of high-ranking German cheeses is rather modest’. A number of websites also allude to the special reputation enjoyed by ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’. The ‘Alles Käse — das Infoportal’ site (http://www.walserstolz.de) states that ‘Tilsit cheese has a long tradition, especially in northern Germany and also all along the Baltic coast. The main Land in which this cheese is produced is Schleswig-Holstein, where the words “Tilsit” and “semi-hard cheese” are still used more or less as synonyms’. http://www.germanfoods.org, a guide to German food products in the USA, explains that ‘... the areas of Schleswig-Holstein (...) in the northern part of Germany also produce some of Germany’s more famous cheeses such as (...) Tilsit (...)’. Other references are found on websites such as the Paulsen site (http://www.party-paulsen.de), which refers to ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter — Schleswig-Holstein's best cheese’.

The special, natural bacteria cultures in the ripening cellars that have developed over generations and are only native here give ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ its incomparable nutty flavour which clearly separates it from Tilsit cheeses from other geographical regions.

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):

The special reputation of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ and the high regard in which it is held are based partly on Schleswig-Holstein's long tradition as milk and cheese country, but mainly on the skill and expertise of the local dairy farmers. A preferred method of milk production formed the basis for the cheese that has for centuries been produced by local farmers. Old recipes and experience of cheese-making as a local craft were handed down from generation to generation, inspiring the cheese specialities of the Land. One of the most important of these is ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ — a regional speciality, the various forms of which are well known outside the region and highly regarded.

The distinctive, tangy flavour of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ and the holes that it conventionally contains had become a part of the Schleswig-Holstein cheese-making tradition long before the name ‘Tilsit’ was widely used for this type of cheese. Only at the end of the 19th century was this term imported from East Prussia to Schleswig-Holstein and also used for the type of cheese produced there using a similar recipe. Since then the names ‘Tilsit from Schleswig-Holstein’ and ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ have therefore been used.

The rural tradition of cheese-making has to this day continued to develop in Schleswig-Holstein. The excellent reputation of dairy technology training for farmers, the main centre of which is now the Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Milchwirtschaft in the town of Bad Malente, also extends well beyond the borders of the Land.

A sign of the excellent reputation of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ is its very specific aroma and its particular flavour, which is characterised by the special way in which it is spiced with caraway. Both properties can only be achieved through the special bacteria cultures, which can only exist in type and combination in the climatic area between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

The plants producing ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ are also at the centre of the ‘Käsestraße Schleswig-Holstein’, whose renown extends well beyond the borders of the Land. In this association some 40 cheese-makers form a group promoting the tradition of cheese-making in Schleswig-Holstein and represent about 120 different types of cheese. The association was founded following the cheese market held in 1999 at the ‘Kiekeberg’ open-air museum in Hamburg on the initiative of the Slow Food movement. At this market the Schleswig-Holstein dairy farmers were dubbed the ‘wine growers of the north’ on account of the wide range of Schleswig-Holstein cheeses displayed at the event. In particular, the various variants of ‘Holsteiner Tilsiter’ were exhibited at the market as exemplary specimens from ‘Schleswig-Holstein cheese country’.

Reference to the publication of the specification:

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

Full specification published in:

Markenblatt Vol. 30 of 24 July 2009, Part 7a-aa, p. 13378

http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/geo/detail.pdfdownload/7201

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

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| 25.9.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 288/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 288/13

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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 288/09

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

‘WALBECKER SPARGEL’

EC No: DE-PGI-0005-0857-08.02.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name:

‘Walbecker Spargel’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Germany

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.6. | Fruits, vegetables, cereals, whether or not processed |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.6.

Fruits, vegetables, cereals, whether or not processed

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

Fresh white, green or violet asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). The edible spears are put up for sale peeled or unpeeled. ‘Walbecker Spargel’ is produced according to the rules of good farming practice. When put up for sale unpeeled, it must comply at least with UNECE Standard FFV04 (Asparagus).

The length of the spears of the white asparagus is a maximum of 22 cm. The asparagus must be whole and undamaged. It must be free from putrefaction and damage and fresh in smell and appearance.

‘Walbecker Spargel’ is unique because of its fine fibre structure, its slightly nutty and intensive asparagus taste and the tenderness of the asparagus spears.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

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

—

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

Production of ‘Walbecker Spargel’, from growing to picking, must take place in the defined geographical area.

Cultivation begins with the proper preparation of the soil prior to planting. The appropriate amounts of humus are applied to the asparagus growing area (green fertiliser, compost). The area is prepared for one year, with the soil being turned to a depth of 80 cm to enable the plants to grow deep roots and to develop optimally. The asparagus plants are generally set out in mid-April or even in March if spring arrives early. Old roots and stones are carefully removed from the earth mounds so that such hard objects do not prevent the asparagus spears from growing straight.

After two years of growth, the first asparagus is harvested in the third year.

If the asparagus is grown under black and white foil, great care must be taken when the sun is strong to ensure that the foil is turned from the black to the white side in good time so as to avoid any deterioration in quality as a result of the asparagus tips becoming mushy.

When the asparagus is being harvested, nitrogen fertiliser must not be applied until harvesting has been completed. About 21 days before the end of the asparagus season, soil samples are taken to establish what is lacking in the soil so that appropriate nitrogen fertilisation can be carried out when harvesting has been completed. To boost quality and growth, cultivation measures are carried out such as careful working of the soil and appropriate fertilisers including magnesium and potash fertiliser are applied.

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

Packaging

The contents of each package must be uniform. Each unit may only contain asparagus from the region approved for the production of ‘Walbecker Spargel’. The asparagus in a retail sales unit must be of the same quality, colour group and size. The visible part of the retail sales unit must also be representative of the total content.

‘Walbecker Spargel’ is quickly cooled in order to preserve its quality. Four hours at the latest after being picked, it must be cooled down in spring water or ice-cold water to a temperature of 1 to 12 degrees. It should be put up for sale as quickly as possible. It should not be stored for more than three days in a cold store at 1 to 4 degrees.

The producer’s cold chain may only be interrupted for a short period of time for packaging and delivery.

Packaging, refrigeration and any sales premises must comply with health requirements.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

—

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

The growing area for ‘Walbecker Spargel’ lies in the north-west of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It stretches along the German-Dutch border. The western end of the growing area is bounded by the national border. In the north, from the intersection between the national border and the A 57 motorway, the boundary follows the A 57 motorway in an easterly direction. From the intersection between the A 57 and the Bundesstrasse B 9, the boundary turns towards the south-east and follows the B 9 to the intersection between the B 9 and the B 58. At that point, the production area’s boundary turns towards the south-west and follows the B 58. From the intersection between the B 58 and the Landstrasse L 221, the boundary follows the L 221 to its intersection with the A 61 motorway. The boundary then follows the A 61 to the intersection between the A 61 and the national border.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

The production area is part of the Lower Rhine Plain. It is characterised by climatic conditions which are ideal for growing asparagus. The amount of rain needed to grow asparagus falls in the important months of March, April, May and June and the temperatures are consistently mild.

The production area has sandy soils and, in the south-east, loamy and loess soils. The land traditionally selected for growing asparagus has soil with a high sand content. The sand is dune sand from the Meuse-Niers dune. The structure of the soil between the rivers Niers and Meuse developed during the ice age. It is characterised in certain places by slightly sandy, mineral-bearing soils which are permeable to air and rain and have a light loess content, extensive humus components and a good lime content. Farmers in the production area have traditionally regarded such soils as a major disadvantage compared with the rich soils in the surrounding areas of Pont, Nieuwkerk, Aldekerk and in the Baersdonk area which are generally better suited for growing crops than the soils in the geographical area. However, the soils in the geographical area are especially ideal for growing asparagus.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

‘Walbecker Spargel’, which may only be marketed as fresh white, green or violet asparagus, is unique because of its fine fibre structure, its slightly nutty and intensive asparagus taste and the tenderness of the asparagus spears. The local producers have special skills in producing asparagus which, with proper preparation of the soil and planting and the decision when to harvest, ensures that ‘Walbecker Spargel’ grows particularly well and straight and is of good consistency. The high esteem in which ‘Walbecker Spargel’ is held goes far beyond the production area thanks to its long tradition and particularly good characteristics.

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):

The asparagus spears’ fine fibre structure, their nutty and intensive taste and their tenderness and straight growth are the result of the ideal soil conditions in the Walbeck area and the climatic conditions in the Lower Rhine Plain. With asparagus in particular, there is a particularly close link between the product’s characteristics and the natural conditions. Up to 70 % of the asparagus’s taste is determined by the soil, 20 % is the result of how the soil is tilled and manured and only 10 % depends on the variety. Sufficient rain falls in particular in March, April, May and June on the humus-enriched dune sands preferred by asparagus growers; these months also enjoy consistently mild temperatures. Furthermore, good agricultural practice guarantees the quality of the products.

The asparagus producers' skills have been acquired over several generations, in particular as regards the right time to start planting and to start and stop picking, the covering materials to be used and how extensively to use them, how to construct the earth mound properly and keep it free of root balls and stones and making sure the right amount of fertiliser is used by taking soil samples; these skills are factors which contribute to the special quality of ‘Walbecker Spargel’.

‘Walbecker Spargel’ enjoys an excellent reputation. The legal expert and retired major Dr Walther Klein-Walbeck made the first attempts at growing asparagus around Walbeck castle in 1923 during the period of inflation. His success soon attracted the interest of local farmers whose yields of other arable crops on the sandy soils were not particularly good. In autumn 1927, 33 farmers from Walbeck agreed to start growing asparagus in spring 1928. 50 hectares of land were planted with asparagus in the first season. On 1 January 1929, Dr Walther Klein-Walbeck and 55 asparagus growers from Walbeck set up ‘Spargelbaugenossenschaft Walbeck und Umgegend e.G.’, which is the present applicant. Since then, the growers who make up the applicant company have been producing asparagus on a cooperative basis and marketing it under the name ‘Walbecker Spargel’. From 1932 to 1938 it sent 36 000Zentner (50 kg) of asparagus to Straelen for auction, resulting in a profit of 1,3 million Reichsmark for Walbeck, which was formerly a poor heathland village. In 1936, 40 000 asparagus lovers visited the village during the asparagus season.

Asparagus production ceased during the Second World War. After the currency reform in 1948, asparagus production started up again. Today, the applicant has 50 members who grow asparagus on 80 hectares of land.

The ‘Walbecker Heimatlied’ by Jakob Schopmanns (text 1935, published in the Niederrheinische Landeszeitung on 5 July 1935) and his son Helmut (music, 1977) illustrates the importance of the asparagus for the identity of the village of Walbeck and the surrounding area:

‘Kennst Du mein friedliches Walbeck nicht? (Know ye not my peaceful Walbeck?)

Das Spargeldorf an der Grenze? (The asparagus village by the border?)

Dort schießt der Spargel in Sonnenlicht (Where the asparagus shoots towards the sunlight)

alljährlich im taufrischen Lenze. (every year in dew-fresh Spring?)’

At the annual two-day asparagus festival, there is a big procession during which the ‘Asparagus Princess’, who will rule for one asparagus season, is presented to spectators sitting on a throne on a float. She is the asparagus village of Walbeck’s representative on radio and television, at trade fairs and at many local festivals in the Lower Rhine area.

Reference to publication of the specification:

Reference to publication of the specification:

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

http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/geo/detail.pdfdownload/13251

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

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