# Official Journal C 253/2010

| | ISSN 1725-2423
  doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2010.253.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 253 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5321 September 2010 |

ISSN 1725-2423

doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2010.253.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 253

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5321 September 2010

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 253/01 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2010/C 253/01

Euro exchange rates

1

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 253/02 | Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain plastic sacks and bags originating, inter alia, in the People's Republic of China | 2 |
| 2010/C 253/03 | Planned closure of complaint CHAP 2010/19 | 5 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2010/C 253/04 | 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 | 6 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2010/C 253/02

Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain plastic sacks and bags originating, inter alia, in the People's Republic of China

2

2010/C 253/03

Planned closure of complaint CHAP 2010/19

5

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2010/C 253/04

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

6

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

EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 21.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 253/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

21.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 253/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

20 September 2010

2010/C 253/01

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,3074 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 112,07 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4474 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,83830 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,1780 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,3160 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,9540 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,675 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 281,25 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7091 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,9483 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,2640 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,9562 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,3826 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3487 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,1527 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7937 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,7434 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 518,87 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 9,3300 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,7783 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,2843 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 737,59 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,0569 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 57,576 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 40,5500 |
| THB | Thai baht | 40,203 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,2406 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,7020 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 59,7650 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,3074

JPY

Japanese yen

112,07

DKK

Danish krone

7,4474

GBP

Pound sterling

0,83830

SEK

Swedish krona

9,1780

CHF

Swiss franc

1,3160

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,9540

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,675

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

281,25

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7091

PLN

Polish zloty

3,9483

RON

Romanian leu

4,2640

TRY

Turkish lira

1,9562

AUD

Australian dollar

1,3826

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3487

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,1527

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7937

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,7434

KRW

South Korean won

1 518,87

ZAR

South African rand

9,3300

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,7783

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,2843

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 737,59

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,0569

PHP

Philippine peso

57,576

RUB

Russian rouble

40,5500

THB

Thai baht

40,203

BRL

Brazilian real

2,2406

MXN

Mexican peso

16,7020

INR

Indian rupee

59,7650

---

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

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 21.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 253/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

21.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 253/2

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Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain plastic sacks and bags originating, inter alia, in the People's Republic of China

2010/C 253/02

The European Commission (‘Commission’) has received a request for a partial interim review pursuant to Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 November 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (1) (‘the basic Regulation’).

1.   Request for review

The request was lodged by Greenwood Houseware (Zuhai) Ltd (‘the applicant’), an exporter from the People's Republic of China.

The request is limited in scope to the examination of dumping as far as the applicant is concerned.

2.   Product

The product under review is plastic sacks and bags containing at least 20 % by weight of polyethylene and of sheeting of a thickness not exceeding 100 micrometers (μm) originating in the People's Republic of China (‘the product concerned’), currently falling within CN codes ex 3923 21 00 and ex 3923 29 10 and ex 3923 29 90.

3.   Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 1425/2006 (2), as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 189/2009 (3) on imports of certain plastic sacks and bags originating, inter alia, in the People's Republic of China.

4.   Grounds for the review

The request pursuant to Article 11(3) is based on prima facie evidence, provided by the applicant, that, as far as the applicant is concerned, the circumstances on the basis of which the existing measures were imposed have changed and that these changes are of lasting nature.

The applicant provided prima facie evidence showing that, as far as the applicant is concerned, the continued imposition of the measure at its current level is no longer necessary to offset dumping. The applicant claimed that it meets the conditions for MET, in particular since it has improved its accounting. Moreover, the applicant has provided prima facie evidence showing that due to significant changes both in the corporate structure and in the production process of the company it now meets the criteria for individual treatment laid down in Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation. The comparison of the applicant's export prices to the Union with a constructed normal value in Malaysia indicates that the dumping margin appears to be substantially lower than the current level of the measure. The aforementioned matters will therefore be investigated during the review.

Therefore, the continued imposition of measures at the existing level, which was based on the level of dumping previously established, appears to be no longer necessary to offset dumping.

5.   Procedure for the determination of dumping

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of a partial interim review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.

The investigation will determine whether the applicant now operates under market economy conditions as defined in Article 2(7)(c) of the basic Regulation or meets the conditions for the individual treatment as defined in Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation and will assess the need for the continuation, removal or amendment of the existing measures in respect of the applicant.

If it is determined that measures should be removed or amended for the applicant, it may be necessary to amend the rate of duty currently applicable to imports of the product concerned from other companies in the People's Republic of China not specifically mentioned in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1425/2006 as amended.

(a)   Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the applicant and to the authorities of the exporting country concerned. This information and supporting evidence should reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a)(i).

(b)   Collection of information and holding of hearings

All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information other than questionnaire replies and to provide supporting evidence. This information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a)(ii).

Furthermore, the Commission may hear interested parties, provided that they make a request showing that there are particular reasons why they should be heard. This request must be made within the time limit set in point 6(a)(ii).

(c)   Market economy treatment/individual treatment

In the event that the applicant provides sufficient evidence showing that it operates under market economy conditions, i.e. that it meets the criteria laid down in Article 2(7)(c) of the basic Regulation, normal value will be determined in accordance with Article 2(7)(b) of the basic Regulation. For this purpose, a duly substantiated claim must be submitted within the specific time limit set in point 6(b) of this notice. The Commission will send a claim form to the company as well as to the authorities of the People's Republic of China. This claim form may also be used by the applicant to claim individual treatment, i.e. that it meets the criteria laid down in Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation.

(d)   Selection of the market economy country

In the event that the applicant is not granted market economy treatment, but fulfils the requirements to have an individual duty established in accordance with Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation, an appropriate market economy country will be used for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of the People's Republic of China in accordance with Article 2(7)(a) of the basic Regulation. The Commission envisages using Malaysia again for this purpose as was done in the investigation which led to the imposition of measures on imports of the product concerned from the People's Republic of China. Interested parties are hereby invited to comment on the appropriateness of this choice within the specific time limit set in point 6(c) of this notice.

Furthermore, in the event that the applicant is granted market economy treatment, the Commission may, if necessary, use findings concerning the normal value established in an appropriate market economy country, e.g. for the purpose of replacing any unreliable cost or price element in the People's Republic of China which is needed in establishing the normal value, if reliable necessary data is not available in the People's Republic of China. The Commission considers using the Malaysia also for this purpose.

6.   Time limits

(a)   General time limits

(i)   For parties to make themselves known, to submit questionnaire replies and any other information

All interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account during the investigation, must make themselves known by contacting the Commission, present their views and submit questionnaire replies or any other information within 37 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified. Attention is drawn to the fact that the exercise of most procedural rights set out in the basic Regulation depends on the party's making itself known within the aforementioned period.

(ii)   Hearings

All interested parties may also apply to be heard by the Commission within the same 37-day time limit.

(b)   Specific time for submission of claims for market economy treatment and/or individual treatment

The applicant's duly substantiated claim for market economy treatment, as mentioned in point 5(c) of this notice, must reach the Commission within 15 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(c)   Specific time limit for the selection of the market economy country

Parties to the investigation may wish to comment on the appropriateness of Malaysia which, as mentioned in point 5(d), is envisaged as a market-economy country for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of the People's Republic of China. These comments must reach the Commission within 10 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

7.   Written submissions, questionnaire replies and correspondence

All submissions and requests made by interested parties must be made in writing (not in electronic format, unless otherwise specified) and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers of the interested party. All written submissions, including the information requested in this notice, questionnaire replies and correspondence provided by interested parties on a confidential basis shall be labelled as ‘Limited’ (4) and, in accordance with Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, shall be accompanied by a non-confidential version, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’.

Commission address for correspondence:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Trade |
| Directorate H |
| Office: N-105 4/92 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
| Fax +32 22956505 |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate H

Office: N-105 4/92

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Fax +32 22956505

8.   Non-co-operation

In cases in which any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the facts available.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information shall be disregarded and use may be made, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, of the facts available. If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially, and use of facts available is made, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

9.   Schedule of the investigation

The investigation shall be concluded, according to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation, within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This notice is not subject to the provisions set out under Article 11(7) of the basic Regulation.

10.   Processing of personal data

It is noted that any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (5).

11.   Hearing officer

It is also noted that if interested parties consider that they are encountering difficulties in the exercise of their rights of defence, they may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer of DG Trade. He acts as an interface between the interested parties and the Commission services, offering, where necessary, mediation on procedural matters affecting the protection of their interests in this proceeding, in particular with regard to issues concerning access to the file, confidentiality, extension of time limits and the treatment of written and/or oral submission of views. For further information and contact details, interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer's web pages on the website of DG Trade (http://ec.europa.eu/trade).

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(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 51.

(2)  OJ L 270, 29.9.2006, p. 4.

(3)  OJ L 67, 12.3.2009, p. 5.

(4)  This means that the document is for internal use only. It is protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-dumping Agreement).

(5)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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| 21.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 253/5 |
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21.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 253/5

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Planned closure of complaint CHAP 2010/19

2010/C 253/03

The Commission's services have completed their investigation of complaint CHAP 2010/19 regarding the remuneration of persons who do not hold a basic medical qualification but who have, in Italy, access to specialist training in the six fields of clinical biochemistry, microbiology and virology, clinical pathology, medical genetics, food science and medical pharmacology.

Following examination of the complaint and of the documentation submitted by the complainants in the light of the applicable Community law, the Commission services have concluded that it is not possible, at this stage, to identify an infringement of Directive 2005/36/EC in the case in question.

Since Directive 93/16/EEC applies only to doctors, the obligation for Member States to ensure that trainee specialist doctors must receive appropriate remuneration applies only to persons having completed basic medical training. This obligation arises specifically from Directive 82/76/EEC which amended Directive 75/363/EEC; both directives were consolidated by Directive 93/16/EEC, which was in turn repealed by Directive 2005/36/EC. Doctors having completed basic medical training must receive appropriate remuneration under Article 25(3) of Directive 2005/36/EC.

The deadline for transposing Directive 82/76/EEC was 1 January 1983. In its judgment of 7 July 1987, the Court of Justice of the European Communities acknowledged that Italy had failed to comply with its obligations by not transposing Directive 82/76/EEC within the deadline laid down. Italy transposed the directive through legislative decree No 257/91, which was adopted in 1991 and entered into force on 1 September 1991.

The fact that Italy allows persons having completed certain types of scientific training other than basic medical training to undergo specialist medical training does not in any way alter the Member States’ obligation to guarantee appropriate remuneration to all doctors in specialist medical training.

Consequently, the Commission services will close the registered complaint unless new information indicating the existence of an infringement is introduced within four weeks of publication of this notice.

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 21.9.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 253/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

21.9.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 253/6

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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

2010/C 253/04

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘KARP ZATORSKI’

EC No: PL-PDO-005-0401-26.04.2007

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Name:

‘Karp zatorski’

2.   Member State or third country:

Poland

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product:

| Class 1.7 Category: | Fresh fish, molluscs and crustaceans and products derived therefrom. |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.7 Category:

Fresh fish, molluscs and crustaceans and products derived therefrom.

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

‘Karp zatorski’ (Cyprinus carpio) is a hybrid obtained from cross-breeding the pure ‘karp zatorski’ line with the following pure lines: Hungarian, Yugoslav, Gołysz and Israeli (Dor-70). ‘Karp zatorski’ is a live fish sold fresh and unprocessed. ‘Karp zatorski’ is raised exclusively in winter carp ponds, in accordance with the Zator rearing method, which is based on a two-year rearing cycle.

Appearance:

—   bodyweight of marketable fish: 1 100-1 800 g,

—   colour: olive or olivey blue,

—   scalation: mirror scales arranged in a dart, stripe or saddle pattern.

Chemical composition of the flesh of ‘karp zatorski’:

—   dry mass: 22,50 %,

—   crude ash: 1,23 %,

—   total protein: 19,25 %,

—   crude fat: 1,55 %.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

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

The fish feed predominantly on food naturally available in ponds. Owing to the high productivity of the carp ponds in the area in question, the fish have a diet based on food naturally available in the ponds. At all stages of production, this is supplemented only by natural cereal feeds (wheat, barley, triticale, maize), at least 70 % of which come from the area defined in (4) and which, owing to the specific soil and climatic characteristics, are of high quality and meet high sanitary standards. When purchasing cereals, account is taken of their quality and their moisture content, which must not exceed 11 %. Feed purchased outside the ‘karp zatorski’ production area is used only if the supply of feed in the area defined in (4) is insufficient. No food of artificial origin or feed supplements are used in the production of ‘karp zatorski’.

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

The entire ‘karp zatorski’ production cycle must take place in the geographical area defined in (4). Fish obtained by cross-breeding the pure ‘karp zatorski’ line with pure Hungarian, Yugoslav, Gołysz and Israeli (Dor-70) lines grow faster, are more resistant to diseases, have a better meat yield and are very well adapted to the natural conditions prevailing in the area defined in (4). The entire production cycle is based on the Zator rearing method, in which the production period is shortened to two years. The ‘karp zatorski’ production cycle comprises the following five stages:

1.   Spawning

Specimens with the best features are selected for spawning. Spawning takes place in natural spawning pools in the ground. Artificial spawning in a hatchery is also permitted. Hatchlings obtained in this way are placed in nursery ponds, without the use of summer fry rearing ponds.

2.   Rearing of fry

Hatchlings removed from spawning pools are transferred to ponds in which the summer fry are reared. The ponds have to be maintained in a highly cultivated state. The stocking density is 200 000 hatchlings per hectare. The summer fry are removed when they reach a weight of 2-4 g.

3.   Rearing and overwintering of autumn fry

In July, nursery ponds are stocked with summer fry or, in some cases, with hatchlings taken from spawning pools. In the nursery ponds, the fish are fed with the cereal feeds referred to in (3.4). The feed is initially ground to a fine flour and then, as the fish grow in size, feed of a coarser structure is used. The fish are fed three times a week until the end of September. At the end of the first season, the fish should have a unit weight of 60-150 g. The autumn fry are left in the nursery ponds to overwinter. Daily supervision of the ponds is essential.

4.   Stocking of commercial ponds

In spring, the carp are removed from the nursery ponds and placed in commercial ponds. The fish are fed in accordance with a predetermined feeding schedule from May to September. The most intensive feeding phase occurs in June, July and August. Removal of the fish begins in October. The fish are removed and transferred to special transport tanks. After being transferred, the fish are sorted according to size, then weighed and transported to fish storage facilities. The fish storage facilities are ponds that are 1,7-2,0 m deep, with no vegetation but with good water flow and oxygenation. This treatment means that the meat of ‘karp zatorski’ does not smell of mud.

5.   Removal of the carp from fish storage facilities

In December (during the pre-Christmas period), the fish are removed from the storage ponds, and the ‘karp zatorski’ is transported to points of sale, where the fish are placed in special oxygenated tanks.

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

—

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

The name ‘karp zatorski’ is used for the purposes of marketing live fish; therefore, in the case of wholesale deliveries of the fish in transport tanks using motor vehicles, this name appears on the invoices, delivery receipts and transport documents, and may also appear on the tank or motor vehicle. At retail outlets, the fish are placed in special oxygenated tanks. The tanks bear clearly visible inscriptions that read ‘karp zatorski’.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

‘Karp zatorski’ is produced in three municipalities situated in the western part of Małopolskie Province. These are: Zator and Przeciszów, in Oświęcimski County, and Spytkowice, in Wadowicki County. The area covers 134 km2, but production is concentrated mainly in Zator municipality.

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

Natural factor

Surface waters

A characteristic feature of the ‘karp zatorski’ production area is the dense network of waterways: a river network supplemented by a dense network of drainage ditches and channels supplying water to individual ponds. Fishponds occupy approximately 22 % of the area of Zator municipality. They have a high natural productivity, i.e. rapid biomass growth. The carp ponds in this area provide an abundant supply of natural food for the fish: zooplankton, phytoplankton and benthos. Owing to the numerous systems of lakes, ponds and pools in the geographical area defined in (4), this area is commonly known as ‘Dolina Karpia’ (Carp Valley).

Ground waters

The ‘karp zatorski’ production area is located in the Pre-Carpathian hydrogeological region. The water table is 5-10 m below the surface. The average thickness of the aquifer is estimated to be 4,8 m, with an infiltration coefficient of 244/24 h. The waters are of good quality (Class Ib).

Climate

The ‘karp zatorski’ production area is located within the Central European climatic zone, in the Carpathian climatic region, in the lower part of the moderately warm climatic level. The area's climate is subject to both continental and maritime influences. The climate is also influenced by the proximity of mountainous areas. The vegetation period (average daily temperature over 5 °C) is 224 days, and the period of intense vegetation (average daily temperature over 10 °C) lasts from the end of April until mid-October; the frost-free period is 172 days.

Soils

The ‘karp zatorski’ production area is characterised by a highly differentiated soil cover: brown earths and pseudo-podsols, fluvial muds, gley soils, black earths and peaty and marshy soils.

Protected rural areas

The area in which ‘karp zatorski’ is farmed is distinguished in particular by its clean air and an abundance of rich and rare fauna and flora. Owing to this great abundance of wildlife, these areas have been selected by the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP), on the basis of Birdlife International criteria, to be part of the Natura 2000 network — the Lower Skawa River Valley (PL 125) — as a special protection area. This network plays a key role in safeguarding the natural resources of the European Union.

Human factor

Fishing and carp-farming in Zator date back to the late 11th and early 12th centuries, and the fisheries and — later — the fish-farming sectors have continued to evolve here since that time. It is the oldest centre of its kind in the region. The development of fish-farming was favoured by the dense network of waterways (the rivers Soła and Skawa and the upper Vistula), the right soil conditions for growing the four main types of cereals used to feed the carp, a temperate climate and the possibility of transporting fish by river to Kraków and surrounding areas. Ponds were constructed like strings of beads alongside the rivers. This facilitated the gravitational inflow and outflow of water, including the drying-out of pond beds. Fish-farming developed considerably after the end of World War I. A start was made on rebuilding ponds destroyed during the war, new technologies were introduced, and the trade in fish by small traders was regulated, with the first fishmonger’s shop opening in Kraków. In 1946, the State Estate at Zator was taken over by the Jagiellonian University and the Zootechnical Institute was set up, where work was carried out to improve the performance of the carp.

The indigenous line of carp, maintained as an inbred line since 1955 and never commercialised, was bred in the geographical area described in (4). Based on their observations, research and experience, local fish-farmers and scientists bred a cross between the pure ‘karp zatorski’ line and other lines of carp that was best adapted to the conditions prevailing in the area. From 1946, the Zator rearing method was gradually introduced, based on a two-year system, resulting in an increase in the bodyweight of the fish from 60 to 150 g in the first year and a survival rate of up to 86 %. Combined with the rich natural food supply from the region's waters, this method has made it possible to shorten the carp-farming cycle to two years. It yields carp weighing 1 100-1 800 g, exploiting the great potential for fish growth in the second year of the production cycle. The majority of the work connected with the production of ‘karp zatorski’ is carried out manually, with human knowledge and experience playing an important part. On the basis of many years of experience, farmers have developed the ability to carry out the various activities that make up the production process, such as selecting the initial fish-stocking density of 200 000 hatchlings per hectare in ponds, thus reducing the risk of spread of disease, limiting losses and making the most effective use of natural food sources. The ability to adapt the coarseness and dosage of the cereal feed depending on the weight of the fish is also very important.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

The characteristic features of ‘karp zatorski’ that attest to its uniqueness are:

| — | its compact shape, |
| --- | --- |

—

its compact shape,

| — | a body depth factor of 2,2-2,4, |
| --- | --- |

—

a body depth factor of 2,2-2,4,

| — | rapid growth, |
| --- | --- |

—

rapid growth,

| — | a meat yield of 61-64 %, |
| --- | --- |

—

a meat yield of 61-64 %,

| — | a condition factor (Fulton’s factor) of 3,9-5,0, |
| --- | --- |

—

a condition factor (Fulton’s factor) of 3,9-5,0,

| — | meat that does not smell of mud, having a fresh fish smell and a delicate taste, |
| --- | --- |

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meat that does not smell of mud, having a fresh fish smell and a delicate taste,

| — | a food coefficient of 5 in the case of cereals, |
| --- | --- |

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a food coefficient of 5 in the case of cereals,

| — | a survival rate of 86 %, |
| --- | --- |

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a survival rate of 86 %,

| — | higher-than-average resistance to diseases. |
| --- | --- |

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higher-than-average resistance to diseases.

A product possessing the above characteristics is obtained as a result of a two-year rearing cycle.

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 exceptional quality of ‘karp zatorski’ is inextricably linked with the natural environment of the geographical area described in (4). The quality of ‘karp zatorski’ results not only from the unique properties of the natural environment but also from local fish-farming traditions and techniques. Only the combination of the above-mentioned factors makes it possible to obtain carp with the specific features described in (5.2).

The natural factors described in (5.1) mean that fish ponds produce sufficient quantities of high-quality natural food. Its production area also has favourable soil and climatic conditions for growing four major cereals. Owing, in particular, to the highly productive nature of the ponds, the fish have a diet that is based on natural food, without the use of artificial feeds and feed supplements. The presence of pathogens has been limited owing to the ponds’ great productivity and the absence of easily fermentable carbohydrate-rich artificial feed. This has an impact on the health of ‘karp zatorski’ and the product’s exceptional organoleptic properties. In particular, it results in the fresh fish smell and the delicate taste of the fish. The characteristics of the geographical area described above also mean that fish is obtained that has a good body depth and good flesh development, as borne out by its high condition factor referred to in (5.2). The production of ‘karp zatorski’ is closely linked to its place of origin, as the proximity of natural watercourses and bodies of water, including rivers and their tributaries, means that the area is abundant in the water that is essential for fish-farming. The construction of such large and functional pond complexes has been made possible owing to the area’s terrain. The soils on which the ponds have been built and the climatic conditions (in particular the long vegetation period), as well as the abundance and quality of the natural food supply, have a direct bearing on the high natural productivity of the ponds (i.e. the amount of fish that can be obtained per hectare without feed), which varies from 150 to 300 kg/ha.

The quality and attributes of ‘karp zatorski’ result not only from the natural environment, with which it is inextricably linked, but also from breeding traditions and techniques in the area. As a result of their observations, research and experience, local breeders and scientists selected the carp best adapted to the conditions prevailing in the area. A pure line of karp zatorski has thus been bred, crossed with pure Hungarian, Yugoslav, Gołysz and Israeli (Dor-70) lines. The progeny obtained has excellent production characteristics, such as a high survival rate and good feed utilisation, as reflected in low food conversion ratios. The effect of heterosis means that the fish grow faster, are more resistant to diseases, have a high meat yield and are very well adapted to the local natural conditions. The use of the Zator production method, adapted to the environmental conditions of the area defined in (4) makes it possible to obtain a product with the characteristics specified in (5.2). By shortening the breeding period to two years it has been possible to produce young carp with an excellent taste, organoleptic properties and meat with a lower fat content than found in older marketable fish obtained as a result of the longer production cycle that is generally used. It is because the fish is young that ‘karp zatorski’ has a delicate flavour that distinguishes it from carp produced in other geographical areas. This also determines the quality of the meat and its organoleptic properties, which are greatly appreciated by consumers. The properties of ‘karp zatorski’ are recognised by consumers, as borne out by the fact that it commands prices 10-15 % higher than the price of carp from other geographical areas.

Reference to publication of the specification:

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

http://www.minrol.gov.pl/index.php?/pol/Jakosc-zywnosci/Produkty-regionalne-i-tradycyjne/Wnioski-przeslane-do-UE-od-kwietnia-2006-roku

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

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