EN Official Journal of the European Union C 139/8

Publication of an 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

(2015/C 139/06)

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘MELÓN DE TORRE PACHECO-MURCIA’

EU No: ES-PGI-0005-01235-28.5.2014

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Name(s)

‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’

2. Member State or Third Country

Spain

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

‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’ is a melon of the Saccharinus Naud. variety and ‘Piel de Sapo’ type. It is the fruit of a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family with the botanical name Cucumis melo L.

Characteristics of the product

— Physico-chemical characteristics: — MINIMUM BRIX: 12 — MINIMUM FLESH FIRMNESS: 2,5 kg/cm2

— Organoleptic characteristics: Sweet, with a consistent texture.

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 defined geographical area

Growing:

The steps involved are as follows:

— cultivation of plants in a nursery,

— transplantation,

— cultivation techniques without the use of heating,

— pollination by introducing bee hives,

— harvesting by hand.

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

—

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

Handling and/or marketing centres, which may or may not be located within the geographical area covered by the ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’ PGI, affix a numbered label and/or secondary label to the fruit to certify the product and allow it to be traced during marketing. These must bear the following information: the number, the mandatory text Indicación Geográfica Protegida or I.G.P. ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’, the EU symbol and the PGI logo, as shown below:

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area for melons covered by the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’ comprises the following municipalities in the province of Murcia:

Cartagena, Fuente Álamo, La Unión, Los Alcázares, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar and Torre Pacheco. And the following districts in the municipality of Murcia:

Avileses, Baños y Mendigo, Corvera, Gea y Truyols, Lobosillo, Los Martínez del Puerto, Valladolises and Sucina.

5. Link with the geographical area

The high regard in which these melons are held can be attributed to their specific characteristics, such as their sweetness, these largely being the result of the climate, the soil and human factors. This can be seen from the references to the product in historical texts dating from 1597 to the present day.

Melon growing in Torre Pacheco-Murcia dates back to the beginning of the 20th century (1905), when the first plantations were started, although these were small and the produce was destined mainly for home consumption.

The specific characteristics of the product derive from the natural characteristics of the area. The production area is characterised by a sub-arid Mediterranean climate with maritime influences (higher relative humidity) and has an annual average temperature of 17-18 °C, with hot summers, but without clear continental features, owing to its proximity to the sea and the fact that there are no coastal mountains. Average potential evapotranspiration levels are high, reaching as much as 170 mm in the area in July and August. Annual temperature variations are small, amounting to around 15 °C. These factors, together with very low average rainfall of less than 350 mm are characteristic of the area’s ecology and affect the characteristics of the soil.

The mild climate, influenced by the proximity of the sea, is frost-free during the growing season, which means that it is possible to plant the melons early, thus ensuring a long growing season and producing melons that have developed slowly, have a more consistent flesh and keep longer after harvesting. Furthermore, the melons ripen during a period when there is a maximum amount of light and little difference between daytime and night-time temperatures, which promotes the development of netting and produces fruit of a better organoleptic quality. Ripening coincides with a period of low rainfall and sunny days, which contributes to the quality of the fruit, as it makes it sweeter. Moreover, temperatures never exceed 35 °C, which could damage the melons, as it would cause burns and make them age more quickly.

The studies set out below confirm the specific characteristics of melons grown in this area, such as the sweeter flavour, as borne out by the higher sucrose content, and the firmer flesh of ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’:

— Study by the Murcia Institute for Research and Development in Agriculture and Food (Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, IMIDA): ‘Characterisation of the qualities of “Piel de Sapo” melons grown in Murcia-Cartagena’ (2011), carried out on a total of 120 samples in 18 locations. Average qualities that define Murcia-Torre Pacheco melons (2010-11), determined from 119 samples in 21 locations.

— University of Cartagena: ‘Post-harvest evaluation of the characteristics and nutritional composition of “Piel de Sapo” melons grown in Murcia as compared with other areas of production’ (2011).

As a result, the product’s local and regional impact, a reflection of how deeply its reputation is rooted in the culture of the area, is demonstrated by the Fiestas del Melón de Torre Pacheco, which have been held since 1969. The product is also referred to in publications on the gastronomy of the area.

Its reputation is reflected in its position on the Spanish market, where it commands higher prices (1984-86).

Since 1974, these melons have been sold both at home and abroad, and their quality has even been referred to in the foreign press.

The numerous letters from customers also reflect the high demand for the product, particularly in June and July.

Reference to publication of the product specification

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

http://www.carm.es/web/pagina?IDCONTENIDO=96240&IDTIPO=60&RASTRO=c491$m1185,34702

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