2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 1
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►B COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1466/2003
of 19 August 2003
laying down the marketing standard for artichokes and amending Regulation (EC) No 963/98
(OJ L 210, 20.8.2003, p. 6)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1 Commission Regulation (EC) No 907/2004 of 29 April 2004 L 163 50 30.4.2004
▼B
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1466/2003
of 19 August 2003
laying down the marketing standard for artichokes and amending
Regulation (EC) No 963/98
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October
1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegeta-
bles (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 47/
2003 (2), and in particular Article 2(2) and Article 3(3)(c) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Artichokes are among the products listed in Annex I to Regula-
tion (EC) No 2200/96 for which standards must be adopted.Commission Regulation (EC) No 963/98 of 7 May 1998 layingdown marketing standards applicable to cauliflowers and arti-
chokes (
3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 46/2003 (4),
should be amended with respect to the definition of ‘Poivrade’and ‘Bouquet’ type artichokes.
(2) In the interest of clarity, the standards applicable to artichokesshould be laid down in a separate Regulation and Regulation(EC) No 963/98 should be amended accordingly. To that end,and in the interest of preserving transparency on the worldmarket, account should be taken of the standard for artichokesrecommended by the Working Party on Standardisation of
Perishable Produce and Quality Development of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE).
(3) Application of the new standards should remove products ofunsatisfactory quality from the market, bring production intoline with consumer requirements and facilitate trade based onfair competition, thereby helping to improve profitability.
(4) The standards are applicable at all marketing stages. Long-distance transport, storage over a certain period and the variousprocesses the products undergo may cause some degree of dete-rioration owing to the biological development of the products ortheir perishable nature. Account should be taken of such dete-
rioration when applying the standard at the marketing stages
following dispatch. As products in the ‘Extra’ class have to beparticularly carefully sorted and packaged, only lack of freshnessand turgidity should be taken into account in their case.
(5) Certain varieties of artichoke produced in the Italian regions ofSicilia, Puglia, Sardegna, Campania, Lazio and Toscana aretraditionally sold in the region of production in bunchessurrounded by leaves and with stems longer than 10 centimetres.
At the request of Italy, this marketing practice was authorised by
Commission Regulation (EC) No 448/97 of 7 March 1997 dero-gating, for certain regions in Italy, from the trading standards setto artichokes (
5). In order to clarify and simplify Community
rules, that derogation should be integrated into this Regulationand Regulation No 448/97 should be repealed.
(6) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordancewith the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruitand Vegetables,2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 64.
(3) OJ L 135, 8.5.1998, p. 18.
(4) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 61.
(5) OJ L 68, 8.3.1997, p. 17.
▼B
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
The marketing standard for artichokes falling within CN code
0709 10 00 shall be as set out in the Annex.
The standard shall apply at all marketing stages under the conditions
laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.
However, at stages following dispatch, the products may show in rela-
tion to the provisions of the standard:
(a) a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
(b) for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ class, slight
deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.
Article 2
1. By way of derogation from the Annex, artichokes produced in the
Italian regions of Sicilia, Puglia, Sardegna, Campania, Lazio andToscana may be sold by the retail trade within these regions in bunches
surrounded by leaves and with a stem longer than 10 cm.
2. For the purposes of applying paragraph 1, each consignment shall
carry, in addition to the other required information, the following indi-cation on the document or notice referred to in Article 5(2) ofRegulation (EC) No 2200/96:
‘Destinato alla vendita al dettaglio unicamente in… (region of
production)’
Article 3
Regulation (EC) No 963/98 is amended as follows:1. In the title, the words ‘and artichokes’ are deleted.
2. Article 1(1) is replaced by the following:
‘1. The marketing standard for cauliflowers falling within CN
code 0704 10 shall be as set out in the Annex.’
3. Annex II is deleted.
4. In Annex I, the words ‘Annex I’ are replaced by the word ‘Annex’.
Article 4
Regulation (EC) No 448/97 is repealed.
Article 5
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable
in all Member States.2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 3
▼B
ANNEX
STANDARD FOR ARTICHOKES
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to artichoke heads of varieties (cultivars) grown from
Cynara scolymus L. to be supplied fresh to the consumer, artichokes for
industrial processing being excluded.
The names ‘Poivrade’ and ‘Bouquet’ refer to young cone-shaped artichokes
of the violet type.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for arti-
chokes, after preparation and packaging.
A.Minimum requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the
tolerances allowed, the artichokes must be:
— intact,
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make
it unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free from any visible foreign matter,— fresh in appearance, and in particular showing no sign of withering,— practically free from pests,— practically free from damage caused by pests,— free of abnormal external moisture,— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The stems must be cut off cleanly and must not be longer than 10 cm.
This latter provision is not applicable to artichokes packed in bunches,
that is: made up of a certain number of heads fastened together around
the stems, or to artichokes of the variety ‘Spinoso’.
The development and condition of the artichokes must be such as to
enable them:
— to withstand transport and handling, and
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
B.Classification
Artichokes are classified in three classes defined below:(i) ‘Extra’ Class
Artichokes in this class must be of superior quality. They must be
characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. The central
bracts must be well closed, in accordance with the variety.
They must be free from defects with the exception of very slight
superficial defects of the skin of the bracts provided these do not
affect the general appearance of the produce, its quality, keeping
quality and presentation in the package.
The ducts in the base must show no incipient woodiness.
(ii) Class I
Artichokes in this class must be of good quality. They must be
characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. The central
bracts must be well closed, in accordance with the variety.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed provided
these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, its
quality, keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape,
— a slight deterioration due to frost (cracks),— very slight bruising.
The ducts in the base must show no incipient woodiness.2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 4
▼B
(iii) Class II
This class includes artichokes which do not qualify for inclusion in
the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified
above. They may be slightly open.
The following defects may be allowed provided the artichokes
retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the
keeping quality and presentation:
— defects in shape,
— deterioration due to frost (‘nipped’ artichokes),
— slight bruising,
— slight staining on the outer bracts,— incipient woodiness of the ducts in the base.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Size is determined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section of
the head.
The minimum diameter is fixed at 6 cm.The scale given below is compulsory for the ‘Extra’ Class and Class I and
optional for Class II:
— diameter of 13 cm and over,
— diameter from 11 cm up to but excluding 13 cm,— diameter from 9 cm up to but excluding 11 cm,
— diameter from 7,5 cm up to but excluding 9 cm,
— diameter from 6 cm up to but excluding 7,5 cm.
In addition, a diameter from 3,5 cm up to but excluding 6 cm is allowed for
artichokes of the ‘Poivrade’ type and the ‘Bouquet’ type.
IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package
for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A.Quality tolerances
(i) ‘Extra’ Class
5 % by number of artichokes not satisfying the requirements of the
class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within
the tolerances of that class.
(ii) Class I
10 % by number of artichokes not satisfying the requirements of
the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming
within the tolerances of that class.
(iii) Class II
10 % by number of artichokes satisfying neither the requirements
of the class, nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of
produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it
unfit for consumption.
B.Size tolerances
For all classes (if sized): 10 % by number of artichokes not satisfying
the requirements as regards sizing and the size indicated, but
conforming to the size immediately above and/or below that specified,
with a minimum of 5 cm in diameter for artichokes classified in the
smallest size (6 to 7,5 cm).
No size tolerance is allowed for artichokes of the ‘Poivrade’ type or
‘Bouquet’ type.
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A.Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only arti-
chokes of the same origin, variety or commercial type, quality and size
(if sized).2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 5
▼B
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of
the entire contents.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions in this point, products covered
by this Regulation may be mixed, in sales packages of a net weight of
three kilograms or less, with different types of fresh fruit and vegetables
on the conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 48/
2003 (1).
B.Packaging
The artichokes must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce
properly.
The materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of a
quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the
produce. The use of materials, particularly paper or stamps, bearing
trade specifications is allowed provided the printing or labelling has
been done with non-toxic ink or glue.
Packages must be free from all foreign matter.
Stickers individually affixed on product shall be such as, when removed,
neither to leave visible traces of glue, nor to lead to skin defects.
VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING
Each package must bear the following particulars in letters grouped on the
same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside:
A.Identification
The name and the address of the packer and/or the dispatcherThis mention may be replaced:
— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially
issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the
dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer
and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations);
— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller estab-
lished within the Community indicated in close connection with the
mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the
labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or
the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed neces-
sary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.
B.Nature of produce
— ‘Artichokes’, if the contents are not visible from the outside,
— Name of the variety for the ‘Extra’ Class,— ‘Poivrade’ or ‘Bouquet’, where appropriate,
— ‘Spinoso’, where appropriate.
C.Origin of produce
Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national,
regional or local place name.
D.Commercial specifications
— Class,
— Number of heads,— Size (if sized) expressed in minimum and maximum diameters of the
heads.
E.Official control mark (optional)2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 6
(1) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 65.▼M1
▼B
▼M1
▼B
▼M1
Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subpara-
graph, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside,
and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any
indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the
particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at
least two sides of the pallet.2003R1466 — EN — 20.05.2004 — 001.001 — 7