Publication of an application for approval of an amendment, which is not minor, to a product specification 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

(2020/C 70/06)

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) within three months from the date of this publication.

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION WHICH IS NOT MINOR

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

‘RISO NANO VIALONE VERONESE’

EU No: PGI-IT-01529-AM03 – 22 June 2018

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Consorzio di tutela della IGP Riso Nano Vialone Veronese [Riso Nano Vialone Veronese PGI Protection Association]

Via V. Veneto 4 PO Box 69 37063 Isola Della Scala (VR) ITALY

Email: info@risovialonenanoveronese.it; risoveronese.igp@gmail.com

Certified Email: risonano.vr@pec.it

The ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI Protection Association is entitled to submit an amendment application in accordance with Article 13(1) of Decree No 12511 of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy of 14 October 2013.

2. Member State or third country

Italy

3. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

☐ Name of product

☒ Description of product

☒ Geographical area

☒ Proof of origin

☒ Production method

☒ Link

☐ Labelling

☒ Other [Packaging, editorial changes].

4. Type of amendment(s)

☒ Amendment to product specification of a registered PDO or PGI not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

☐ Amendment to product specification of a registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

5. Amendment(S)

Description of product

— The following sentence in Article 2 of the product specification: ‘“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” PGI must be obtained exclusively from the Vialone Nano rice variety of the Japonica species.’ has been amended as follows: ‘“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” PGI must be obtained exclusively from the Vialone Nano variety of paddy rice. ’

The reference to the Japonica species has been deleted; it is implicit that the species is Japonica, since only Vialone Nano seeds are used to obtain the PGI.

— The following text has been added to Article 2 of the product specification: ‘When released for consumption, “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” must be classified as one of the following product types: — semi-milled or semi-brown: obtained through milling which involves the partial removal of the embryo (germ) and pericarp; — white: obtained through milling which involves the complete removal of the pericarp; presents.’

The semi-milled or semi-brown type of rice has been included in addition to the white type. The inclusion of the semi-milled or semi-brown type makes it possible to broaden the range of PGI-certified ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’. There are items of a historical nature (e.g. price lists, packets of rice and advertising material) which bear witness to the production of these product types in the defined area, even before 2009.

In addition, a brief explanation of how each type of rice is obtained has been provided, in order to improve the clarity of the specification.

— The following sentence has been added to Article 2 of the product specification in order to introduce the characteristics of ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’. The amendment also applies to point 3.2 of the Single Document.

‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ has the following characteristics:

— Article 2 of the product specification:

The following parameters previously contained in Article 6 have been moved to Article 2 following a reworking of the product specification as a whole.

‘Length between 5,6 mm and 5,8 mm; Width between 3,4 mm and 3,6 mm; Thickness between 2,0 mm and 2,2 mm; Shape (length/width) between 1,5 and 1,7; Inner core extended; Strip absent.’

In addition, the parameters of length, width, thickness and length/width ratio have been amended as follows:

‘Length between 5,4 mm and 5,8 mm; Width between 3,2 mm and 3,5 mm; Thickness between 2,0 mm and 2,2 mm; Length/width ratio between 1,6 and 1,8.’

The characteristics take into account the effects of climate change, which involve changes in temperature during the flowering period of ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’, leading to changes in the length and width of the kernel.

— Information on the percentage of varietal impurities has been added to this Article. This was previously included in Article 6 and has been moved to Article 2; the previous value of 2 % has been increased to 3 %.

The phrase added reads as follows: ‘The percentage of varietal impurities of the rice must not exceed 3 %’.

Increasing the varietal impurities limit to 3 % is linked to the natural mutations of the variety as a result of the reappearance of parent variety characteristics. Furthermore, the 3 % limit is in any case below the reference value established by national legislation.

— The following paragraph has been moved from Article 6 to Article 2 of the specification as it is more relevant to the contents of that article. ‘In addition to the varietal characteristics referred to above, “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” must comply with the following physical and chemical parameters: Amylose : no less than 21 % dry matter; Gelatinisation time : between 15 and 20 minutes; Consistency index : no less than 0,85 kg/cm2; Viscosity index : no more than 2,5 g/cm. ’

— The following sentence has been added to Article 2 of the product specification:

The above characteristics have been established on the basis of rice that is ready to be placed on the market.

This provision has been added to clarify a previously undefined point in the specification that has led to uncertainty among operators in the years that the specification has been in force.

Article 6 — Characteristics on consumption — of the current product specification

— The following text has been deleted: ‘In order to be released for consumption, “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” must have the following grain characteristics: Colour of the pericarp white Length medium length Shape round Width medium Tooth pronounced Head stubby Section rounded’

The characteristics indicated in the product specification as regards colour of the pericarp, length, shape, tooth, width, head and section overlap with what is laid down in the national legislation for the Vialone Nano variety; repeating them in the specification is therefore superfluous as they are the same for the ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI.

— The following sentence: ‘Limits for defects above which the rice may not be sold are laid down in the ministerial lists issued by decree every year and published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic.’

has been deleted.

The provision has been deleted as the limit of defects allowed for rice are laid down by law each year.

— The following sentence has been deleted: ‘No insecticide or fumigant treatment is permitted for the conservation of the milled rice.’

The provision has been deleted because it is considered important for the final consumer to receive a product that is free of insects and parasites. Carrying out disinfecting treatments before the rice is packaged cannot therefore be ruled out provided they do not affect the rice’s quality characteristics.

— The following sentence has been deleted: ‘The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy may, at the request of the “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” PGI Protection Association, add to or amend the chemical and physical parameters in order to better characterise the identity of the designation.’

This provision is inapplicable as amendments to product specifications are governed by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

Point 4.2. of the summary:

— The following information: — ‘Breed with a medium-early growing cycle, medium-tall in height, with a small, muticate and pearled grain; — Genealogy: Nano x Vialone; — Varietal group: Japonica; — Year first cultivated: 1937; — Growing cycle: 155 days; — Stem length: 95,2 cm; — Node colour: violet; — Internode colour: striped violet; — Leaves: striped violet colour, pendulous; — Sheath colour: violet; — Auricle colour: violet; — Joint colour: violet; — Ligule: length: 17,0 mm, bifid type, violet colour; leaf bearing: descending; — Ear: length: 17,8 cm, pendulous, open type, well exerted, muticate; — Stigma colour: pigmented; — Glume colour: violet-brown; — Glumella colour: violet-brown carina, violet-brown calotte, violet-brown apex; — Spikelet: no beard, average pilosity, length: 8,1 mm, width 4,1 mm, weight of 1 000 seeds = 37,9 g; — Tolerance to cold: seedling: high, flowering time: medium; tolerance to high water (40-50): high; — Speed of seedling development: high; level of fertility required: medium; milling yield: 55 %.’

has been deleted as it is not directly related to the designation but rather to the characteristics of the variety. Moreover, the point has been brought into line with the contents of the product specification for the ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ designation.

— ‘The weight of 1 000 seeds of 31,1 g’ has been deleted as it does not appear in the product specification and does not affect the specificity of the designation.

Geographical area

Article 3 of the product specification

— The sentence: ‘Paddy rice intended for the production of rice with the “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” protected geographical indication must be cultivated on land suitable for irrigation on the Veronese plain.’ has been reworded as follows: ‘“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” must be produced in the administrative territories of the following municipalities [...].’

The purpose of the new wording, in which the term ‘paddy rice’ has been replaced by the product designation, is to refer to the area of production of the rice and no longer just to the area of cultivation. Article 5 of the current product specification already provides that milling operations are to be carried out in the same area where rice is cultivated; therefore, the amendment does not involve further geographical restrictions as regards the production of ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’.

— The words ‘on land suitable for irrigation on the Veronese plain’ have been moved up to the first paragraph of Article 5 - Production method, to add to the information already provided.

Proof of origin

— Article 4 below has been added in relation to the procedures that operators must follow in order to guarantee the origin of the product: ‘Article 4 — Proof of origin Each stage in the production process is monitored, with all inputs and outputs being recorded. The traceability of the product is ensured in this way, as well as by entering producers and packagers on lists kept for this purpose by the inspection body, and the timely declaration of quantities produced to the inspection body. All natural and legal persons entered in the relevant lists are subject to checks by the inspection body in accordance with the product specification and the associated inspection plan. Article 4 replaces Article 8 containing provisions which are now inapplicable as a result of regulatory changes concerning checks. The aim of Article 4 is to delete from the product specification a number of activities, as indicated in Article 8 of the current specification, entrusted to the Protection Association in respect of checks which are no longer applicable, since they concern only producers and the certification body.’

Production method

Article 5 — Production method — formerly Article 4 of the current product specification

— The sentence: ‘“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” must be grown on land with crop rotation.’

has been amended as follows:

‘“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” must be grown on land with crop rotation and suitable for irrigation within the production area.’

The specification of the type of land has been moved from Article 3 of the consolidated product specification to the current Article 5 because it is considered more relevant.

— The sentence: ‘The rice field may not remain on the same plot for more than six consecutive years and return to it after at least two years.’ has been amended as follows: ‘The technical and agronomic choices to be made in order to correctly produce “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” are as follows: — Crop rotation: The rice field may not remain on the same plot for more than six consecutive years and may only return to it after a crop rotation lasting at least two years and involving a crop other than rice; The crop rotation has been described in detail in order to better specify the operational procedures, which ensure the wholesomeness of the product and territory, thus protecting the consumer.’

— The following provision: ‘Maximum production per hectare may not exceed 7 tonnes.’ has been amended as follows: ‘Maximum production per hectare may not, in any case, exceed 8 tonnes of paddy rice.’

Production has been increased from 7 to 8 tonnes/ha. The current crop techniques for tilling the land (using laser levellers) allow for greater uniformity of the planted area with the possibility of increasing yields while maintaining the same level of quality. It has also been made clear that the yields refer to paddy rice and not milled rice.

— The sentence: ‘The seeds used must be of the Vialone Nano variety and be certified by ENSE [Ente Nazionale Sementi Elette, National Seed Selection Body].’ has been amended as follows: ‘The seeds used must be certified in accordance with the legislation in force.’

The specification that the seeds must be of the Vialone Nano variety has been deleted due to it being a repetition of what has already been stated in Article 2. Likewise, the reference to the body ENSE has been deleted as this body no longer exists.

— The sentence: ‘In order to be sent for milling, the moisture content of the dried paddy rice may not exceed 14,0 %.’ has been amended as follows: ‘The moisture content of the dried paddy rice, during storage and until it is sent for milling, may not exceed 14,0 %.’

It has been specified that the moisture content of paddy rice may not exceed the limit of 14 % even during storage, in order to prevent mould.

— The following sentence has been deleted: ‘Only indirect fire driers may be used, with the exception of those fuelled with methane, LPG or agricultural diesel.’

The specifications concerning drying methods have been deleted as they are now obsolete.

— The following sentence has been deleted: ‘The “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” Protection Association is committed to collaborating with the breeder responsible for the Vialone Nano variety, the Istituto Sperimentale per la Cerealicoltura, Stazione specializzata per la risicoltura di Vercelli [Vercelli specialist rice-growing station of the Experimental Institute for cereal growing], which is responsible for preserving the purity of the Vialone Nano variety.’

The reference to the Vercelli specialist rice-growing station of the Experimental Institute for cereal growing has been deleted since it is no longer responsible for preserving the purity of the variety. Furthermore, the indication of any cooperation activities that may be carried out by the Protection Association is not considered relevant to the contents of the specification.

— Article 5 — Production method — formerly Article 5 of the current product specification

— The following sentence: ‘The operations of bleaching and packaging the rice must be carried out within the defined area laid down in Article 3.’ has been amended as follows: ‘The operations of producing and packaging the rice must be carried out within the defined area laid down in Article 3.’

The reference to bleaching has been removed following the introduction of the new product type of semi-brown rice, which involves dehulling and partial bleaching.

As originally established for the ‘white’ rice type, these milling operations must take place in the geographical area where the rice is grown. The purpose of maintaining the restriction regarding milling operations is to ensure compliance with the production process, which is carried out on the basis of criteria stemming from a centuries-old tradition that, together with the area’s particular suitability for growing rice, has enabled the ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI to become established on the market.

— The following paragraph: ‘Milling operations that are recommended and permitted are listed below: dehulling: milling to remove the glumellae (husks) which can be carried out using either roller hullers or emery hullers; bleaching: milling to remove the pericarp and embryo, which must be carried out using suitable bleaching machines; secondary processing: to supplement the bleaching process, the rice may be milled using an emery propeller to remove chalky grains and using a polishing brush or a water/air polisher to polish the kernel.’ has been amended as follows: ‘Milling operations that are recommended and permitted are listed below: White rice: dehulling: milling to remove the glumellae (husks) which can be carried out using either roller hullers or emery hullers; bleaching: milling to remove the pericarp and embryo, which must be carried out using suitable bleaching machines; secondary processing: to supplement the bleaching process, the white rice may be milled using an emery propeller to remove chalky grains and using a polishing brush or a water/air polisher to polish the kernel.’

Following the introduction of the semi-brown type, the paragraph has been reworded, without modifying its content, to specify that it relates to white rice.

— The following sentence has been added at the end of the above paragraph: ‘Semi-milled or semi-brown rice: dehulling and partial bleaching.

For the sake of the completeness and clarity of the product specification, a description of the processing operations for semi-milled or semi-brown rice has been added.

Link

— Given that some of the contents of Article 6 - Characteristics on consumption - of the current specification have been moved to Article 2 and others have been deleted, Article 6 of the new version of the product specification contains details of the link with the territory of origin. Specifically, this article completes the specification as regards the contents required by current rules and groups together the information contained in the file which led to registration of the name and the information contained in the summary published in Official Journal of the European Union No L 71/17. Article 6 of the specification has been reworded as follows:

Article 6 — Link with the environment

Soil and climate factors

‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ is grown in the light, alluvial and medium-consistency soils of the rice fields on the plains around Verona, which are characterised by a generally alkaline pH due to the presence of limestone.

A specific feature of this area is that it is supplied by spring water, which is also alkaline because it originates from calcareous rocks. This marked alkalinity characterises and distinguishes the environment of the rice fields in the Verona area from that found in most Italian rice-growing areas. Furthermore, crop rotation is traditionally used in rice growing in these areas, considerably reducing the use of plant protection products and chemical fertilisers.

The generally alkaline Veronese soils in the defined area, the spring water, uniform climate and crop rotation system provide a balanced combination of factors for the production of Veronese rice, which allow the crop to complete its growing cycle without difficulty.

Historical and human factors

Historical sources confirm that rice growing started to spread in Verona and the surrounding area during the first couple of decades of the 16th century, and was introduced by families originating from Lombardy. Thanks to rice growing, many marshland areas which would otherwise have remained unproductive were cultivated.

In 1545, the Venetian Senate established the magistrature of ‘Superintendents for Uncultivated Resources’ in order to regulate the ‘water rush’ for Veronese rice fields and authorised the construction of ‘rice huskers’, i.e. hydraulic systems for the treatment of paddy rice. Veronese rice, which was already well-known, was sold almost exclusively on Venice’s Rialto market, and soon became the main source of the area’s economy.

A huge amount of graphic and cartographic documentation shows the extent and economic and social importance of rice growing in Verona in the 17th and 18th centuries too.

In the Verona area, the producers play a major role in rice growing; they have adopted and maintain agronomic techniques of crop rotation, weeding and fertilisation which make it possible to obtain a wholesome and quality product even before it is processed.

The milling of paddy rice is equally important. This takes place in the local rice-mills, the descendants of the numerous ‘rice huskers’ in the region during the 16th century, some of which have survived and are still operating.

In these, the hull of the rice was removed by water-powered pestles. Although the milling process is now carried out by modern machinery, it is done using criteria and striving for results stemming from a centuries-old tradition.

After milling, the grain is perfectly suited for use in the preparation of typical Veronese risottos.

In order to align section 5 of the Single Document to the provisions of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 668/2014, the following paragraphs have been added.

— ‘The application to register “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” PGI is based on the characteristics of the product’.

— ‘Milling takes place in local rice mills, the direct descendants of the numerous “rice huskers’ in the region during the 16th century, some of which have survived and are still operating. In these, the hull of the rice was removed by water-powered pestles. Although the milling process is now usually carried out by modern machinery, it is done using criteria and striving for results stemming from a centuries-old tradition. The rice grains are never completely hulled and bleached; the grain remains partially covered by the pericarp and as such is perfectly suited for use in the preparation of typical Veronese risottos.”

Checks

Article 8 — Checks — of the current product specification

— The following sentences have been deleted: — All rice growers are required, when sowing is completed, to submit a production report on the appropriate forms provided by the Protection Association, indicating the area planted with rice for each variety and the relevant cadastral data. — This report should be received by the Protection Association by 31 May of each year together with a copy of the area report submitted to the Ente Nazionale Risi [National Rice Board]. — Similarly, by 30 November of each year, and in any case before starting to sell the rice, producers must report, also on the forms provided by the Protection Association, the product quantities of the various batches of Vialone Nano paddy rice and request sampling. The reasons for this deletion are as follows: The requirements that operators must meet with regard to the reporting of production are defined by the inspection body and specified in the relevant inspection plan. Reports on quantities produced must be sent within the time limits set by the inspection body, and not to the Protection Association, which does not have any role in terms of checking compliance with the product specification. In addition, all forms used for checking activities are made available by the inspection body and not by the Protection Association, which has no role in such activities. — The Protection Association must sample the heaps of paddy rice in a short space of time, carry out the necessary checks and grant authorisation to use the designation. Sampling activities are the responsibility of the individual operators and not the Protection Association, which does not have any role as regards checks to verify compliance with the product specification. — The Protection Association must send all data processed with regard to the production of “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” paddy rice to the Verona Chamber of Commerce, for information purposes. This provision does not fall within the tasks defined by the Protection Association; its inclusion in the specification is therefore incorrect. — Rice mills must comply with all the guidelines of the “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” Protection Association, submit to its checks and make the registers of the Ente Nazionale Risi [National Rice Board] available to it. Provisions regarding obligations of operators aimed at ensuring compliance with guidelines laid down by the Protection Association are not relevant to the content of the specification; it is therefore considered appropriate to delete the sentence. Obligations towards the inspection body are set out elsewhere, under Article 7 of the specification. — Implementation of this product specification is to be supervised by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Resources, which may use the services of the Protection Association for the purposes of monitoring production and trade of “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92. This paragraph has been superseded by the current legislation on checks, which entrusts inspection bodies with the task of verifying compliance with the product specification. — The details of the inspection body responsible for checking compliance with the product specification have been included in Article 7 of the product specification.’

Labelling

Article 8 — Labelling — formerly Article 7 of the current product specification

— The following sentence has been deleted: ‘It is prohibited to use additional geographical references or geographical or topographical indications referring to municipalities, parts of municipalities or geographical areas within the production area referred to in Article 3.’ The ban on using additional geographical or topographical references has been lifted so as to allow producers to include geographical references to the ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI production area.

— The following sentence: ‘However, the use of names, company names and private brands is authorised, provided that they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser about geographical names.’ has been amended as follows: ‘The use of names, company names and private brands is authorised, provided that they have no explicit laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser, as is the use of any public institutional and regional brands that comply with EU rules.’

Provision has been made for including public institutional and regional brands that comply with EU rules on the labelling of ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ in order to allow more information to be given to consumers with regard to the places where the designation is produced.

— The following sentence: ‘Packages of “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” to be released for consumption must be 0,5 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg or 5 kg and made of a material permitted by current legislation.’ has been amended as follows: ‘“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” is released for consumption in packaging permitted by current legislation.’

The sentence has been reworded and the reference to the weights of the packages removed in order to allow packagers to meet the various market demands.

— The following sentence: ‘The “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” protected geographical indication must appear on the packaging in distinct, indelible lettering of a colour that strongly contrasts with the background colour and in such a way that it can be clearly distinguished from all the other information given on the packaging.’ has been replaced as follows: ‘Each package must bear the “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” PGI logo and the EU logo. The PGI logo must be as shown below, with Times New Roman font and vertical compression of 62 %.’ The logo is as follows:

For the sake of greater clarity of the specification and to make the product more recognisable to consumers, this amendment introduces the ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ logo and regulates it by specifying the font to be used for the name of the designation.

— The following sentence has been deleted: ‘Packets of rice must be numbered in accordance with the instructions of the “Riso Vialone Nano Veronese” Protection Association.’

The requirement for packets to be numbered has been removed, since the legislation in force today ensures that all products are traceable. Numbering the packets was an additional bureaucratic step to be carried out by producers.

Packaging

Point 4.8. of the summary:

— The sentence: ‘The rice is packaged in paper packets with the label of the associated rice mill and the protection logo.’ has been deleted. The aim of this amendment is to correct an inconsistency with the product specification, which does not specify the packaging material of the rice. The point has been brought into line with the product specification.

— The sentence: ‘The logo consists of an image of Cangrande della Scala on a white horse and a yellow ear of rice on a black background; the bottom of the logo features the coat of arms of Verona, with a red ladder on a yellow background.’ has been deleted as it was not in line with the characteristics of the logo set out in the above amendment. Point 3.6 of the Single Document, which is attached to this application, has therefore been brought into line with the contents of the product specification.

Editorial changes

— Article 2 — Variety of rice’ has been amended as follows: ‘Article 2 — Characteristics of the product’

The title of the article has been changed and the entire article has been reworded, with the information from Article 6 of the product specification (Characteristics on consumption) being moved to Article 2.

— — ‘Article 4 — Growing and drying characteristics’ and ‘Article 5 — Rice milling methods’ of the product specification have been merged into a single article, namely ‘Article 5 — Production method’.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘RISO NANO VIALONE VERONESE’

EU No: PGI-IT-01529-AM03 – 22 June 2018

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1. Name(s)

‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’

2. Member State or Third Country

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class: 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

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

The ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI must be obtained exclusively from the Vialone Nano variety of paddy rice.

When released for consumption, ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ must be classified in one of the following product categories:

— semi-milled or semi-brown: obtained through milling which involves the partial removal of the embryo (germ) and pericarp;

— white: obtained through milling which involves the complete removal of the pericarp;

‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ has the following characteristics:

— Length between 5,4 and 5,8 mm;

— Width between 3,2 and 3,5 mm;

— Thickness: between 2,0 mm and 2,2 mm;

— Length/width ratio between 1,6 and 1,8;

— Inner core: extended;

— Strip: absent.

Furthermore, the percentage of varietal impurities of the rice must not exceed 3 %.

In addition to the varietal characteristics referred to above, ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ must comply with the following physical and chemical parameters:

— Amylose no less than 21 % dry matter; — Gelatinisation time: between 15 and 20 minutes; — Consistency index: no less than 0,85 kg/cm2; — Viscosity index: no more than 2,5 g/cm.

The above characteristics have been established on the basis of rice that is ready to be placed on the market.

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

—

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

The stages of growing and milling ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ (dehulling, bleaching to a varying extent and secondary processing) must take place in the defined geographical area.

3.5. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

The rice must be packaged within the defined geographical area in order to avoid the formation of microlesions on the grains of milled rice due to variations in humidity and because of the mechanical stress to which the milled rice would otherwise be subjected. If the rice is damaged then the quality deteriorates when the product is cooked and the cooking time is reduced.

3.6. Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

Each package must bear the ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI logo and the EU logo.

The logo is as follows:

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

Southern area of the province of Verona: the municipalities of: Mozzecane, Nogarole Rocca, Vigasio, Trevenzuolo, Erbè, Sorgà, Nogara, Gazza Veronese, Salizzole, Isola della Scala, Buttapietra, Sanguinetto, Concamarise, Casaleone, Cerea, San Pietro di Morubio, Bovolone, Roverchiara, Isola Rizza, Oppeano, Ronco All’Adige, Palù, Zevio and Povegliano Veronese.

5. Link with the geographical area

The application to register ‘Riso Nano Vialone Veronese’ PGI is based on the characteristics of the product.

The defined area has a uniform climate, which is well-suited for producing ‘Riso Vialone Nano Veronese’. The freshness and purity of spring water, fairly typical of the area, help make this possible. In these areas, crop rotation is used in rice growing, considerably reducing the use of plant protection products and chemical fertilisers.

The characteristics of the soil found in the Verona area differ from those of other rice-growing areas due to:

— the soil pH, which is always alkaline;

— the spring water from calcareous rock, which is therefore also alkaline;

— the cultivation traditions handed down over time.

Milling takes place in local rice mills, the direct descendants of the numerous ‘rice huskers’ in the region during the 16th century, some of which have survived and are still operating. In these, the hull of the rice was removed by water-powered pestles. Although the milling process is now usually carried out by modern machinery, it is done using criteria and striving for results stemming from a centuries-old tradition. The rice grains are never completely hulled and bleached; the grain remains partially covered by the pericarp and as such is perfectly suited for use in the preparation of typical Veronese risottos.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising ‘Riso Vialone Nano Veronese’ as a protected geographical indication in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 108 of 11 May 2018.

The full text of the product specification is available on the following Internet: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335”

or alternatively:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’ (at the top right of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

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