# C_2017250EN.01002401.xml

| 1.8.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 250/24 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.8.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 250/24

---

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

(2017/C 250/07)

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

1

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF NON-MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION FOR A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN OR PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION

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

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

‘TERNASCO DE ARAGÓN’

‘TERNASCO DE ARAGÓN’

EU No: PGI-ES-02149 – 29.6.2016

EU No: PGI-ES-02149 – 29.6.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

Applicant group and legitimate interest

| Name: | Regulatory Council for the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | Mercazaragoza, Edificio Centrorigen |
| Ctra. Cogullada s/n |
| 50014, Zaragoza |
| ESPAÑA |

Name:

Regulatory Council for the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ternasco de Aragón’

Address:

Mercazaragoza, Edificio Centrorigen

Ctra. Cogullada s/n

50014, Zaragoza

ESPAÑA

Tel.

+34 976470813

Email:

info@ternascodearagon.es

The applicant group represents the collective interests of the producers of ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ and is the legitimate interested party in the amendment application for the Specification of the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ and is also responsible for its protection.

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Spain

3.   Heading of the specification affected by the amendment

Heading of the specification affected by the amendment

| — | ☐ | Name of product |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☒ | Description of product |
| — | ☐ | Geographical area |
| — | ☒ | Proof of origin |
| — | ☐ | Method of production |
| — | ☒ | Link |
| — | ☐ | Labelling |
| — | ☐ | Others [specify] |

—

☐

Name of product

—

☒

Description of product

—

☐

Geographical area

—

☒

Proof of origin

—

☐

Method of production

—

☒

Link

—

☐

Labelling

—

☐

Others [specify]

4.   Type of amendment(s)

Type of amendment(s)

| — | ☒ | Amendment of the Specification of a registered PDO or PGI which, in accordance with third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, is non-minor. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| — | ☐ | Amendment of the Specification of a registered PDO or PGI whose single document (or equivalent) has not been published and which, in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, is non-minor. |

—

☒

Amendment of the Specification of a registered PDO or PGI which, in accordance with third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, is non-minor.

—

☐

Amendment of the Specification of a registered PDO or PGI whose single document (or equivalent) has not been published and which, in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, is non-minor.

5.   Amendments

Amendments

5.1.   Product description

Product description

Requirements (Paragraph B, point 2):

Requirements

Current wording of the Specification:

| ‘2. | “Ternasco de Aragón” must meet the following requirements:






  — | Lambs with no distinction being made between genders (uncastrated males and females) |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘2.

“Ternasco de Aragón” must meet the following requirements:

—

Lambs with no distinction being made between genders (uncastrated males and females)

| — | Age at time of slaughter between 70 and 90 days old. |
| --- | --- |

—

Age at time of slaughter between 70 and 90 days old.

| — | Lambs must be fed in stables on their mothers' milk supplemented, if desired, with white straw and concentrates permitted under current legislation. The minimum weaning period shall be 50 days. |
| --- | --- |

—

Lambs must be fed in stables on their mothers' milk supplemented, if desired, with white straw and concentrates permitted under current legislation. The minimum weaning period shall be 50 days.

| — | During weaning, lambs must be fed with white straw and freely-available concentrates. |
| --- | --- |

—

During weaning, lambs must be fed with white straw and freely-available concentrates.

| — | The use of substances which may interfere in the normal rhythm of growth and development of the animal shall remain forbidden.’ |
| --- | --- |

—

The use of substances which may interfere in the normal rhythm of growth and development of the animal shall remain forbidden.’

The Specification should read:

| ‘2. | “Ternasco de Aragón” must meet the following requirements:






  — | Lambs with no distinction being made between genders (uncastrated males and females) |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘2.

“Ternasco de Aragón” must meet the following requirements:

—

Lambs with no distinction being made between genders (uncastrated males and females)

| — | Lambs must be fed in stables on their mothers' milk supplemented, if desired, with white straw and concentrates permitted under current legislation. The minimum weaning period shall be 40 days. |
| --- | --- |

—

Lambs must be fed in stables on their mothers' milk supplemented, if desired, with white straw and concentrates permitted under current legislation. The minimum weaning period shall be 40 days.

| — | During weaning, lambs must be fed with white straw and freely-available concentrates. |
| --- | --- |

—

During weaning, lambs must be fed with white straw and freely-available concentrates.

| — | The use of substances which may interfere in the normal rhythm of growth and development of the animal shall remain forbidden.’ |
| --- | --- |

—

The use of substances which may interfere in the normal rhythm of growth and development of the animal shall remain forbidden.’

Reasons for the changes stated in the product description:

| — | Age of slaughter
  It is proposed that the limitation on the age of slaughter be removed because individual checks of carcasses guarantee compliance with the quality parameters laid down in the Specification.
  The quality of the carcass, meat and fat are affected by a large number of factors, although on account of the young low age of these animals and the traditional system of production, this number is reducing (Sañudo et al., 2013).
  The criteria used to define the quality of a carcass are principally the fat cover, weight, colour and conformation. These are the parameters used to qualify the carcass of the ‘Ternasco de Aragón’.
  There are various advantages to using these criteria to qualify the carcasses, such as greater ease of selection, which facilitates the homogeneousness of the guaranteed product.
  A study carried out by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zaragoza in 2014 concluded that ‘when the carcass weight is between 8,0 and 12,5 kg, the quality of the meat within the parameters set out in the Specification is independent of the age of the animal’.
  Therefore the study indicates that the results show that there are no significant differences in the juiciness or luminosity (L*) or hardness of the meat, between a batch of animals slaughtered at 70 days old and another slaughtered at 100 days old.
  In addition to this study, technicians from the control body monitored the total carcasses used in the study by checking, in each of the batches, that the carcasses sampled which were more than 8 kg for a cold carcass met the conformation and fat cover requirements contained in the Specification. Lastly, they checked that all the carcass and meat quality requirements were complied with in order to be carcasses covered by the Protected Geographical Indication.
  With the system of production habitually used for the PGI, carcasses are obtained of between 8 and 12,5 kg with excellent conformation, a pale rose meat colour, and an optimum level of infiltration and fat cover. The weight of the carcass is a very important parameter which, together with the young age of these animals, is linked to fat cover, colour and conformation, directly affecting the carcass quality. In paragraph F) Link to the surrounding area, heading 3. ‘Production systems’, provides the following literal description ‘... but the most significant thing about these breeds is their precociousness, a factor which will particularly influence the quality of the ternasco as fat tissues build up earlier ... this proven fact of greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor as regards other breeds.’
  In addition to the information stated, we should note that the process of certification of the carcasses in order to obtain the PGI designation involves their being reviewed one by one. If the carcass is outside the weight range laid down in the Specification, it is automatically rejected. For carcasses with weights between 8 and 12,5 kg, their general appearance is checked and, if this is satisfactory, the fat cover is assessed. The precociousness of the animals of the breeds concerned means that the excess fat cover determines the age and weight of slaughter, especially in the case of females. For males, weight is more important than fat cover.
  Animals that have not developed properly may be within the weight range but outside the age range, although this situation would be obvious from the appearance of the carcass. These animals are generally outside the certification requirements because of other factors: insufficient fat, poor conformation, meat colour (excessively red or yellowish), meat texture (because the appropriate pH was not achieved during maturing), excessive testicle size in males or abdominal wall thickness at the midline in females.
  In order to check the degree to which quality control of the carcass guarantees the characteristics of the product, the PGI control and certification body's technical team performed an analysis using data from 2015.
  This involved the use of comprehensive individual traceability data (from origin to classification) for 4 937 lambs slaughtered in Mercazaragoza, taken from 386 farms (45,89 % of the total number of livestock farms covered by the PGI).
  From those 386 farms, 33 were selected and checks on births were requested. The birth dates were cross-checked against classification and weight data.
  Comprehensive data were analysed for carcasses corresponding to 897 lambs, with the following results: 893 carcasses (99,55 %) were within the ranges for the age of the animal at the time of slaughter and the weight of the carcass; 2 carcasses (0,22 %) had appropriate weights and characteristics, but the animals were slaughtered at an age of more than 100 days; and the 2 remaining carcasses (0,22 %) exceeded 12,5 kg, with the animals also being slaughtered at an age of more than 100 days.
  We can therefore conclude that lambs whose carcasses are within the weight ranges laid down in the Specification comply with all the quality parameters relating to the PGI, irrespective of the age at slaughter.
  This amendment does not require a change to the production system, which addresses the precociousness of the fat cover, or affect the way in which the product is made (slaughter, hanging and conservation). It does not, therefore, affect the production of a carcass that meets the requirements laid down in the description of the link: ‘... ideal tissue composition, and the osseus tissue is not exaggerated and there is an appropriate development of the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat covering, including intramuscular fat’. Controlling the weight of the carcass, in addition to the conformation, colour and state of fat cover, can guarantee the quality of the PGI carcasses for ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ and, therefore, we can replace sample-based checks on the age at slaughter by individual classification of the carcasses on the basis of weight and other characteristics. |
| --- | --- |

—

Age of slaughter

It is proposed that the limitation on the age of slaughter be removed because individual checks of carcasses guarantee compliance with the quality parameters laid down in the Specification.

The quality of the carcass, meat and fat are affected by a large number of factors, although on account of the young low age of these animals and the traditional system of production, this number is reducing (Sañudo et al., 2013).

The criteria used to define the quality of a carcass are principally the fat cover, weight, colour and conformation. These are the parameters used to qualify the carcass of the ‘Ternasco de Aragón’.

There are various advantages to using these criteria to qualify the carcasses, such as greater ease of selection, which facilitates the homogeneousness of the guaranteed product.

A study carried out by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zaragoza in 2014 concluded that ‘when the carcass weight is between 8,0 and 12,5 kg, the quality of the meat within the parameters set out in the Specification is independent of the age of the animal’.

Therefore the study indicates that the results show that there are no significant differences in the juiciness or luminosity (L*) or hardness of the meat, between a batch of animals slaughtered at 70 days old and another slaughtered at 100 days old.

In addition to this study, technicians from the control body monitored the total carcasses used in the study by checking, in each of the batches, that the carcasses sampled which were more than 8 kg for a cold carcass met the conformation and fat cover requirements contained in the Specification. Lastly, they checked that all the carcass and meat quality requirements were complied with in order to be carcasses covered by the Protected Geographical Indication.

With the system of production habitually used for the PGI, carcasses are obtained of between 8 and 12,5 kg with excellent conformation, a pale rose meat colour, and an optimum level of infiltration and fat cover. The weight of the carcass is a very important parameter which, together with the young age of these animals, is linked to fat cover, colour and conformation, directly affecting the carcass quality. In paragraph F) Link to the surrounding area, heading 3. ‘Production systems’, provides the following literal description ‘... but the most significant thing about these breeds is their precociousness, a factor which will particularly influence the quality of the ternasco as fat tissues build up earlier ... this proven fact of greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor as regards other breeds.’

In addition to the information stated, we should note that the process of certification of the carcasses in order to obtain the PGI designation involves their being reviewed one by one. If the carcass is outside the weight range laid down in the Specification, it is automatically rejected. For carcasses with weights between 8 and 12,5 kg, their general appearance is checked and, if this is satisfactory, the fat cover is assessed. The precociousness of the animals of the breeds concerned means that the excess fat cover determines the age and weight of slaughter, especially in the case of females. For males, weight is more important than fat cover.

Animals that have not developed properly may be within the weight range but outside the age range, although this situation would be obvious from the appearance of the carcass. These animals are generally outside the certification requirements because of other factors: insufficient fat, poor conformation, meat colour (excessively red or yellowish), meat texture (because the appropriate pH was not achieved during maturing), excessive testicle size in males or abdominal wall thickness at the midline in females.

In order to check the degree to which quality control of the carcass guarantees the characteristics of the product, the PGI control and certification body's technical team performed an analysis using data from 2015.

This involved the use of comprehensive individual traceability data (from origin to classification) for 4 937 lambs slaughtered in Mercazaragoza, taken from 386 farms (45,89 % of the total number of livestock farms covered by the PGI).

From those 386 farms, 33 were selected and checks on births were requested. The birth dates were cross-checked against classification and weight data.

Comprehensive data were analysed for carcasses corresponding to 897 lambs, with the following results: 893 carcasses (99,55 %) were within the ranges for the age of the animal at the time of slaughter and the weight of the carcass; 2 carcasses (0,22 %) had appropriate weights and characteristics, but the animals were slaughtered at an age of more than 100 days; and the 2 remaining carcasses (0,22 %) exceeded 12,5 kg, with the animals also being slaughtered at an age of more than 100 days.

We can therefore conclude that lambs whose carcasses are within the weight ranges laid down in the Specification comply with all the quality parameters relating to the PGI, irrespective of the age at slaughter.

This amendment does not require a change to the production system, which addresses the precociousness of the fat cover, or affect the way in which the product is made (slaughter, hanging and conservation). It does not, therefore, affect the production of a carcass that meets the requirements laid down in the description of the link: ‘... ideal tissue composition, and the osseus tissue is not exaggerated and there is an appropriate development of the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat covering, including intramuscular fat’. Controlling the weight of the carcass, in addition to the conformation, colour and state of fat cover, can guarantee the quality of the PGI carcasses for ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ and, therefore, we can replace sample-based checks on the age at slaughter by individual classification of the carcasses on the basis of weight and other characteristics.

| — | Suckling period
  It is proposed that the minimum age at weaning be reduced to 40 days, given that we have observed no significant differences, in relation to the meat quality parameters set down in the Specification, between animals weaned at 40 or 70 days, and both types of animals comply with the quality characteristics laid down in that Specification.
  In the system of usual production in Aragon using native breeds, the lambs continue to have direct contact with their mothers until the start of the following sheep reproductive cycle. Lambs on livestock farms will continue to feed on their mothers' milk which is exclusively used for feeding their offspring, and supplementing their diet with the consumption of high-quality feed during the day. Lambs are usually handled in weaning batches in which the ages of the animals differ by a few days, which facilitates management of the animals and of the farm in general, and guarantees appropriate control of this parameter. The product obtained and covered by the PGI will continue to also be characterised by the exclusive consumption of the milk produced by mothers until the time of weaning.
  Similarly, a recent study was carried out by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zaragoza on how the suckling period affects the characteristics required by the Specification for the PGI as regards colour, juiciness and texture of the meat. All of the carcasses in this study were monitored by technicians from the control body, who checked on site that in addition to the parameters which were the subject of the study, those which were above 8 kg of cold carcass had met the requirements set out in the Specification for the PGI in terms of their shape and degree of fat cover both internally and externally.
  The study reported that: ‘pH levels did not differ between the treatments (P = 0,206) with values of 5,70 ± 0,11 for animals which had not been weaned and 5,75 ± 0,14 for those which had been weaned, normal values which did not influence the colour, juiciness or texture, aspects which would be very affected by abnormally high pH values.’
  Therefore the study confirmed the following: ‘There were no differences between weaning at 40 days (before the current limit included in the Specification) or not weaning in terms of the juiciness of the meat, its luminosity (L*), its red colour (a*) or its hardness.’ |
| --- | --- |

—

Suckling period

It is proposed that the minimum age at weaning be reduced to 40 days, given that we have observed no significant differences, in relation to the meat quality parameters set down in the Specification, between animals weaned at 40 or 70 days, and both types of animals comply with the quality characteristics laid down in that Specification.

In the system of usual production in Aragon using native breeds, the lambs continue to have direct contact with their mothers until the start of the following sheep reproductive cycle. Lambs on livestock farms will continue to feed on their mothers' milk which is exclusively used for feeding their offspring, and supplementing their diet with the consumption of high-quality feed during the day. Lambs are usually handled in weaning batches in which the ages of the animals differ by a few days, which facilitates management of the animals and of the farm in general, and guarantees appropriate control of this parameter. The product obtained and covered by the PGI will continue to also be characterised by the exclusive consumption of the milk produced by mothers until the time of weaning.

Similarly, a recent study was carried out by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zaragoza on how the suckling period affects the characteristics required by the Specification for the PGI as regards colour, juiciness and texture of the meat. All of the carcasses in this study were monitored by technicians from the control body, who checked on site that in addition to the parameters which were the subject of the study, those which were above 8 kg of cold carcass had met the requirements set out in the Specification for the PGI in terms of their shape and degree of fat cover both internally and externally.

The study reported that: ‘pH levels did not differ between the treatments (P = 0,206) with values of 5,70 ± 0,11 for animals which had not been weaned and 5,75 ± 0,14 for those which had been weaned, normal values which did not influence the colour, juiciness or texture, aspects which would be very affected by abnormally high pH values.’

Therefore the study confirmed the following: ‘There were no differences between weaning at 40 days (before the current limit included in the Specification) or not weaning in terms of the juiciness of the meat, its luminosity (L*), its red colour (a*) or its hardness.’

5.2.   Product description

Product description

Breeds (Paragraph B, point 1):

Breeds

Current wording of the Specification:

| ‘1. | Lamb used in the production of “Ternasco de Aragón” comes from the following breeds:






  — | “Rasa Aragonesa” |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘1.

Lamb used in the production of “Ternasco de Aragón” comes from the following breeds:

—

“Rasa Aragonesa”

| — | “Ojinegra de Teruel” |
| --- | --- |

—

“Ojinegra de Teruel”

| — | “Roya Bilbilitana”’ |
| --- | --- |

—

“Roya Bilbilitana”’

The Specification should read:

| ‘1. | Lamb used in the production of “Ternasco de Aragón” comes from the following breeds:






  — | “Rasa Aragonesa” |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘1.

Lamb used in the production of “Ternasco de Aragón” comes from the following breeds:

—

“Rasa Aragonesa”

| — | “Ojinegra de Teruel” |
| --- | --- |

—

“Ojinegra de Teruel”

| — | “Roya Bilbilitana” |
| --- | --- |

—

“Roya Bilbilitana”

| — | “Maellana”. |
| --- | --- |

—

“Maellana”.

| — | “Ansotana”.’ |
| --- | --- |

—

“Ansotana”.’

Reasons for the changes indicated:

The Specification currently allows three different breeds: ‘Rasa Aragonesa’, ‘Roya Bilbilitana’ and ‘Ojinegra de Teruel’. An application is being made for the inclusion of the breeds ‘Ansotana’ and ‘Maellana’, as their official recognition as independent breeds was recognised in the Official Catalogue of Livestock Breeds in Spain by means of Royal Decree No 1682/1997 after the creation of the first Specification for ‘Ternasco de Aragón’, which was recognised in the Autonomous Community as a Specific Denomination on 10 July 1989, nationally in October 1992 and in Europe on 21 June 1996.

The two breeds, which currently have a very reduced population of approximately 10 000 reproducing females (ewes). Various livestock, perfectly adapted to the natural environment and meeting the quality parameters for the carcass, were included in the PGI before the publication of Royal Decree No 1682/1997, as they were then considered ecotypes of the breed ‘Rasa Aragonesa’. As a consequence of the publication of the Royal Decree, the livestock breeders indicated were removed. The production system is the same as for the breeds included in the Specification. They are now interested in being included in the PGI.

An application is therefore being made to adapt the Specification to the regulations in force in order to include once again the producers of sheep of the breeds ‘Ansotana’ and ‘Maellana’, which are traditionally considered to be ecotypes of the breed ‘Rasa Aragonesa’.

5.3.   Evidence that the product originates from the geographical area (Paragraph D, point 2):

Evidence that the product originates from the geographical area

Current wording of the Specification:

| ‘2. | Checks and certification:
  These are fundamental requirements which guarantee the origin of the product:






  a) | The meat shall come exclusively from the breeds “Rasa Aragonesa”, “Ojinegra de Teruel” and “Roya Bilbilitana” of livestock included in the Registers which are located in the production area.’ |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘2.

Checks and certification:

These are fundamental requirements which guarantee the origin of the product:

a)

The meat shall come exclusively from the breeds “Rasa Aragonesa”, “Ojinegra de Teruel” and “Roya Bilbilitana” of livestock included in the Registers which are located in the production area.’

The Specification should read:

| ‘2. | Checks and certification:
  These are fundamental requirements which guarantee the origin of the product:






  a) | The meat shall come exclusively from the breeds “Rasa Aragonesa”, “Ojinegra de Teruel”, “Roya Bilbilitana”, “Ansotana” and “Maellana” of livestock included in the Registers which are located in the production area.’ |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘2.

Checks and certification:

These are fundamental requirements which guarantee the origin of the product:

a)

The meat shall come exclusively from the breeds “Rasa Aragonesa”, “Ojinegra de Teruel”, “Roya Bilbilitana”, “Ansotana” and “Maellana” of livestock included in the Registers which are located in the production area.’

Reasons for the changes indicated:

The same reasons as stated in point 5.2.

5.4.   Link to the surrounding area (Paragraph F, point 3. Production and processing systems, a) Production)

Link to the surrounding area

Current wording of the Specification:

| ‘a) | Production
  Aragon's agricultural and climatic characteristics have contributed to the development of an important ovine subsector as it is the only species capable of adapting to the sparse and seasonal growth of grass.
  This type of lamb has a series of particular requirements in terms of weight and age at slaughter which clearly differentiate it from other types of lambs which are commonly slaughtered in Spain.
  The three types of breeds involved in this indication are listed below:






  — | The ovine breed “Rasa Aragonesa” is found mainly in the three Aragonese provinces, its habitat, which is crucial, is the lowlands, plateaux and mountainside areas. The distinguishing features of this breed are its proportionate torso, thin neck without skin folds, and frequently with teat-shaped appendage, and extremities which are long, strong and small and hard hooves.
  The fleece is also white, and covers all the body leaving the whole of the head, the lower half of the four extremities and, sometimes, the stomach uncovered. The wool fibres are 5-10 cm in length and this is qualified as middling fine. Its weight at birth is 3,5 kg and it grows from 0 to 30 days (weaning) by 200 grams a day, which is 9,5 kg for each month of its life. Between 30 and 90 days of life the daily gain ranges from 230 g for females to 250 g for males, reaching 23 to 25 kg at three months' of age, with a yield upon slaughter of nearly 48 %, with the “Ternasco de Aragón” carcass thereby constituting 10-12 kg in weight. |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘a)

Production

Aragon's agricultural and climatic characteristics have contributed to the development of an important ovine subsector as it is the only species capable of adapting to the sparse and seasonal growth of grass.

This type of lamb has a series of particular requirements in terms of weight and age at slaughter which clearly differentiate it from other types of lambs which are commonly slaughtered in Spain.

The three types of breeds involved in this indication are listed below:

—

The ovine breed “Rasa Aragonesa” is found mainly in the three Aragonese provinces, its habitat, which is crucial, is the lowlands, plateaux and mountainside areas. The distinguishing features of this breed are its proportionate torso, thin neck without skin folds, and frequently with teat-shaped appendage, and extremities which are long, strong and small and hard hooves.

The fleece is also white, and covers all the body leaving the whole of the head, the lower half of the four extremities and, sometimes, the stomach uncovered. The wool fibres are 5-10 cm in length and this is qualified as middling fine. Its weight at birth is 3,5 kg and it grows from 0 to 30 days (weaning) by 200 grams a day, which is 9,5 kg for each month of its life. Between 30 and 90 days of life the daily gain ranges from 230 g for females to 250 g for males, reaching 23 to 25 kg at three months' of age, with a yield upon slaughter of nearly 48 %, with the “Ternasco de Aragón” carcass thereby constituting 10-12 kg in weight.

| — | The other breeds which are considered suitable for the “Ternasco de Aragón” are the “Ojinegra de Teruel” and the “Roya Bilbilitana”. The two stand out as breeds intended exclusively for the production of meat, but the most significant thing about these breeds is their precociousness, a factor which will have an influence in particular on the quality of its meat, as fat tissues build up earlier. Therefore when the carcass is 10-12 kg in weight, and 80-100 days old, the carcasses are perfectly included in the ternasco type, both calves and youths, with a suitable tissue composition, in which osseus tissue is not exaggerated and there is an appropriate development of the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat covering, even including intramuscular fat, permitting a high category “bouquet”. |
| --- | --- |

—

The other breeds which are considered suitable for the “Ternasco de Aragón” are the “Ojinegra de Teruel” and the “Roya Bilbilitana”. The two stand out as breeds intended exclusively for the production of meat, but the most significant thing about these breeds is their precociousness, a factor which will have an influence in particular on the quality of its meat, as fat tissues build up earlier. Therefore when the carcass is 10-12 kg in weight, and 80-100 days old, the carcasses are perfectly included in the ternasco type, both calves and youths, with a suitable tissue composition, in which osseus tissue is not exaggerated and there is an appropriate development of the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat covering, even including intramuscular fat, permitting a high category “bouquet”.

| — | “Rasa Aragonesa” has ternascos which are perfectly finished in terms of the tissue composition of the carcass and has up to 25 % fat on average for the males and females for a carcass weight of 10,74 kg. This precociousness also affects another genuine Aragonese genotype, the “Roya Bilbilitana” group, which also for the ternasco type has a similar precociousness with 26,6 % fat in both sexes with carcasses of 10,6 kg. In the “Ojinegra de Teruel” breed percentages of fatty deposits similar to those of the above breeds were found in the carcass. |
| --- | --- |

—

“Rasa Aragonesa” has ternascos which are perfectly finished in terms of the tissue composition of the carcass and has up to 25 % fat on average for the males and females for a carcass weight of 10,74 kg. This precociousness also affects another genuine Aragonese genotype, the “Roya Bilbilitana” group, which also for the ternasco type has a similar precociousness with 26,6 % fat in both sexes with carcasses of 10,6 kg. In the “Ojinegra de Teruel” breed percentages of fatty deposits similar to those of the above breeds were found in the carcass.

This proven fact of greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor with regard to other breeds. Therefore the quality of the “Ternasco de Aragón” on the basis of the genotypes quoted is different from and superior to that of other breeds.

In terms of food, the sheep feeds on both stubble field and the natural pastures of Aragón where there are large quantities of species of aromatic plants (rosemary, thyme, etc.).

The lambs will stay in the sheepfold in stables, receiving their mother's milk during the night and consuming high quality concentrated feed during the day.

The consumption of concentrated feed, if desired, combined with mother's milk, add to the finish of the ternasco carcass (tissue composition, distribution, colour, fat consistency, tenderness, colour and “bouquet” of meat) at the weights and ages indicated (10-12 kg and 80-100 days) depending on the Aragonese breeds above.’

The Specification should read:

| ‘a) | Production
  Aragon's agricultural and climatic characteristics have contributed to the development of an important ovine subsector as it is the only species capable of adapting to the sparse and seasonal growth of grass.
  This type of lamb has a series of particular characteristics which clearly differentiate it from other types of lambs which are commonly slaughtered in Spain.
  The five breeds involved in this indication are listed below:






  — | The ovine breed “Rasa Aragonesa” is found mainly in the three Aragonese provinces, its habitat, which is crucial, is the lowlands, plateaux and mountainside areas. The distinguishing features of this breed are its proportionate torso, thin neck without skin folds, and frequently with teat-shaped appendage, and extremities which are long, strong and small and hard hooves. The fleece is also white, and covers all the body leaving the whole of the head, the lower half of the four extremities and, sometimes, the stomach uncovered and the wool fibres are 5 to 10 cm long and qualified as middling fine. Its weight at birth is 3,5 kg and it grows from 0 to 30 days (weaning) by 200 grams a day, which is 9,5 kg for each month of its life. Between 30 and 90 days of life the daily gain ranges from 230 g for females to 250 g for males, reaching 23 to 25 kg at three months' of age, with a yield upon slaughter of nearly 48 % with the “Ternasco de Aragón” thereby constituting 10-12 kg in weight. |
| --- | --- | --- |

‘a)

Production

Aragon's agricultural and climatic characteristics have contributed to the development of an important ovine subsector as it is the only species capable of adapting to the sparse and seasonal growth of grass.

This type of lamb has a series of particular characteristics which clearly differentiate it from other types of lambs which are commonly slaughtered in Spain.

The five breeds involved in this indication are listed below:

—

The ovine breed “Rasa Aragonesa” is found mainly in the three Aragonese provinces, its habitat, which is crucial, is the lowlands, plateaux and mountainside areas. The distinguishing features of this breed are its proportionate torso, thin neck without skin folds, and frequently with teat-shaped appendage, and extremities which are long, strong and small and hard hooves. The fleece is also white, and covers all the body leaving the whole of the head, the lower half of the four extremities and, sometimes, the stomach uncovered and the wool fibres are 5 to 10 cm long and qualified as middling fine. Its weight at birth is 3,5 kg and it grows from 0 to 30 days (weaning) by 200 grams a day, which is 9,5 kg for each month of its life. Between 30 and 90 days of life the daily gain ranges from 230 g for females to 250 g for males, reaching 23 to 25 kg at three months' of age, with a yield upon slaughter of nearly 48 % with the “Ternasco de Aragón” thereby constituting 10-12 kg in weight.

| — | The other breeds which are considered suitable for the “Ternasco de Aragón” are the “Ojinegra de Teruel”, the “Roya Bilbilitana”, the “Ansotana” and the “Maellana”. The first two stand out as breeds intended exclusively for the production of meat, but the most significant thing about these breeds is their precociousness, a factor which will have an influence in particular on the quality of the “Ternasco de Aragón”, as fat tissues build up earlier. Therefore when the carcass is 10-12 kg in weight, and 80-100 days old, the carcasses are perfectly included in the ternasco type, both calves and youths, with an ideal tissue composition, and the osseus tissue is not exaggerated and there is an appropriate development of the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat covering, including intramuscular fat, permitting a high category “bouquet”. |
| --- | --- |

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The other breeds which are considered suitable for the “Ternasco de Aragón” are the “Ojinegra de Teruel”, the “Roya Bilbilitana”, the “Ansotana” and the “Maellana”. The first two stand out as breeds intended exclusively for the production of meat, but the most significant thing about these breeds is their precociousness, a factor which will have an influence in particular on the quality of the “Ternasco de Aragón”, as fat tissues build up earlier. Therefore when the carcass is 10-12 kg in weight, and 80-100 days old, the carcasses are perfectly included in the ternasco type, both calves and youths, with an ideal tissue composition, and the osseus tissue is not exaggerated and there is an appropriate development of the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat covering, including intramuscular fat, permitting a high category “bouquet”.

| — | The “Maellana” breed groups together lambs which are white with long extremities, a convex or ultra convex profile, mesomorph and of average weight. Long neck. They have a fleece which is exceptionally short, with very fine wool, and this is one of the characteristics which best defines the “Maellana” breed. The main objective, and practically the only one, is the production of meat. The weight at birth of these lambs varies between 3,0 and 4,5 kg, and they go from weighing between 9,30 and 10,30 kg when 30 days of age to between 24,0 and 26,0 kg at 90 days of age. |
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The “Maellana” breed groups together lambs which are white with long extremities, a convex or ultra convex profile, mesomorph and of average weight. Long neck. They have a fleece which is exceptionally short, with very fine wool, and this is one of the characteristics which best defines the “Maellana” breed. The main objective, and practically the only one, is the production of meat. The weight at birth of these lambs varies between 3,0 and 4,5 kg, and they go from weighing between 9,30 and 10,30 kg when 30 days of age to between 24,0 and 26,0 kg at 90 days of age.

| — | The “Ansotana” breed includes white animals with a sub-convex profile, both mesomorph and eumetric, which are included in the “Entrefinos del Pirineo” group. They have semi-closed fleece of very fine wool with particular characteristics due to the climate in the area in which they are located, and there are differences between the Aragon breed to which they were traditionally linked. The presence of horns is accepted in both sexes, more frequently in the males, which are generally well developed, and are spiral in shape. The breed was catalogued as a triple aptitude breed in the olden times (meat, wool and milk). They are currently used for the production of meat as the main objective. |
| --- | --- |

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The “Ansotana” breed includes white animals with a sub-convex profile, both mesomorph and eumetric, which are included in the “Entrefinos del Pirineo” group. They have semi-closed fleece of very fine wool with particular characteristics due to the climate in the area in which they are located, and there are differences between the Aragon breed to which they were traditionally linked. The presence of horns is accepted in both sexes, more frequently in the males, which are generally well developed, and are spiral in shape. The breed was catalogued as a triple aptitude breed in the olden times (meat, wool and milk). They are currently used for the production of meat as the main objective.

| — | The “Aragonesa” breed, which has traditionally included as eco-types the currently catalogued breeds Maellana and Ansotana, provides ternascos which are perfectly finished in terms of the tissue composition of the carcass, reaching figures of 25 % fat on average for the males and females for a carcass weight of 10,74 kg, like the descendants of the “Ansotana” and “Maellana” breeds which come from the same ethnic torso. This precociousness also affects another genuine “Aragonese” genotype, the “Roya Bilbilitana” group which also for the ternasco type has a similar precociousness with 26,6 % fat in both sexes with carcasses of 10,6 kg. In the “Ojinegra de Teruel” breed percentages of fatty deposits similar to those of the two above breeds were found in the carcass. This fact combined with greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor with regard to the other breeds. Therefore the quality of the “Ternasco de Aragón” on the basis of the genotypes quoted is different from that of other breeds. |
| --- | --- |

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The “Aragonesa” breed, which has traditionally included as eco-types the currently catalogued breeds Maellana and Ansotana, provides ternascos which are perfectly finished in terms of the tissue composition of the carcass, reaching figures of 25 % fat on average for the males and females for a carcass weight of 10,74 kg, like the descendants of the “Ansotana” and “Maellana” breeds which come from the same ethnic torso. This precociousness also affects another genuine “Aragonese” genotype, the “Roya Bilbilitana” group which also for the ternasco type has a similar precociousness with 26,6 % fat in both sexes with carcasses of 10,6 kg. In the “Ojinegra de Teruel” breed percentages of fatty deposits similar to those of the two above breeds were found in the carcass. This fact combined with greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor with regard to the other breeds. Therefore the quality of the “Ternasco de Aragón” on the basis of the genotypes quoted is different from that of other breeds.

This proven fact of greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor with regard to other breeds. Therefore the quality of the “Ternasco de Aragón” on the basis of the genotypes quoted is different from and superior to that of other breeds.

In terms of food, the sheep feeds on both stubble field and the natural pastures of Aragón where there are large quantities of species of aromatic plants (rosemary, thyme, etc.).

The lambs will stay in the sheepfold in stables, receiving their mother's milk during the night and consuming high quality concentrated feed during the day.

The consumption of concentrated feed, if desired, combined with mother's milk, add to the finish of the ternasco carcass (tissue composition, distribution, colour, fat consistency, tenderness, colour and “bouquet” of meat) at the weights indicated depending on the Aragonese breeds above.’

Reasons for the changes indicated:

Two subparagraphs have been added providing descriptions of the two breeds to be incorporated, as substantiated already in point 5.2.

As the limitation on the age at slaughter is being removed, as substantiated in point 5.1, we have also removed the references to the ages of the animals, in both the second and final subparagraphs, although the remainder of the text has not been altered.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘TERNASCO DE ARAGÓN’

‘TERNASCO DE ARAGÓN’

EU No: PGI-ES-02149 – 29.6.2016

EU No: PGI-ES-02149 – 29.6.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name

Name

‘Ternasco de Aragón’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Member State or Third Country

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

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

Description of the product to which the name in 1 applies

Sheep meat from the following breeds: ‘Rasa Aragonesa’, ‘Ojinegra de Teruel’, ‘Roya Bilbilitana’, ‘Maellana’ y ‘Ansotana’. ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ must come from lambs with no distinction being made in terms of gender. Lambs must be fed in stables on their mothers' milk supplemented, if desired, with white straw and concentrates permitted under current legislation. The minimum weaning period shall be 40 days.

The weight of the carcass varies between 8,0 and 12,5 kg. Rectilinear profile with subconvex tendency and rounded contours. External fat white in colour with a firm consistency. Body cavity fat white in colour covering at least half of the kidney and never its totality. Tender, juicy, soft meat with the start of fat infiltration at an intramuscular level and a pale pink colour.

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

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

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

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

The ternasco has organoleptic characteristics linking it to its natural environment and production system, which means that the phases of production and growth of the lambs are carried out in the geographical area.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grafting, packaging, etc.

Specific rules concerning slicing, grafting, packaging, etc.

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3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling

Specific rules concerning labelling

Labels must bear the PGI logo, including the reference ‘Ternasco de Aragón’.

The product intended for consumption must bear numbered labels and stamps which will be placed by the registered industry and without a new usage of the latter being allowed.

4.   Brief description of the geographical area

Brief description of the geographical area

The production area of the sheep is located in the Autonomous Community of Aragon.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specific nature of the geographical area

Specific nature of the geographical area

Aragon has a continental Mediterranean climate: temperate-dry and windy in the central depression and colder and humid when ascending the Pyrenees and the Iberian Mountain Range. The average annual temperatures in the centre of the depression vary between 14 and 15 °C. In the foothills of the mountains (above 500 metres) the temperature drops by a couple of degrees.

Aragon's agricultural and climatic characteristics have contributed to the development of an important ovine subsector as it is the only species capable of adapting to the sparse and seasonal growth of grass.

5.2.   Specificity of the product

Specificity of the product

‘Rasa Aragonesa’ has ternascos which are perfectly finished in terms of the tissue composition of the carcass and has up to 25 % fat on average for the males and females for a carcass weight of 10,74 kg. This precociousness also affects another genuine Aragonese genotype, the ‘Roya Bilbilitana’ group which also for the ternasco type has a similar precociousness with 26,6 % fat in both sexes with carcasses of 10,6 kg. In the ‘Ojinegra de Teruel’ breed percentages of fatty deposits similar to those of the above two breeds were found in the carcass. The same is true for the ‘Maellana’ and ‘Ansotana’ breeds, which were former ecotypes of the ‘Rasa Aragonesa’ breed.

This proven fact of greater precociousness is a genuine differential factor with regard to the other breeds. Therefore the quality of the ‘Ternasco de Aragón’ on the basis of the genotypes quoted is different from and superior to that of other breeds.

The feeding of the lamb combined with the mother's milk, enables the finish of the ternasco carcass (tissue composition, distribution, colour, fat consistency, tenderness and ‘bouquet’ of meat) at the weights indicated depending on the Aragonese breeds above.

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).

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).

Since time immemorial in Aragon, the ternasco designation has been known and widely used in reference to the most commonly slaughtered lamb typical of the region. Similarly, outside the area, ternasco was recognised for its origin and high quality, a direct consequence of the ovine breeds that produced it, the grass consumed and the weight at slaughter of the lambs raised.

This expression of quality has led to the term ternasco and by extension ternasca as meaning young and tender in Aragonese cultural parlance, and although this may seem out of place it is quite simply a further confirmation of the undeniable quality of the final product.

The continental climatic conditions of this sparsely vegetated area (low rainfall, strong winds and major temperature variations) promote the development of five native breeds whose principle characteristic is their precocious growth. Since they attain an optimum degree of fat cover at a precocious age, they produce an exquisite meat which is appreciated for its quality.

Reference to publication of the Specification

Reference to publication of the Specification

(Article 6(1), second paragraph, of the present Regulation)

www.aragon.es/calidadagroalimentaria/pliegos

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

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