Publication of an application for approval of amendments, which are 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 244/02)

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

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

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

‘PAPRIKA ŽITAVA’/‘ŽITAVSKÁ PAPRIKA’

EU No: PDO-SK-1024-AM01 – 17.8.2018

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Applicant group

Legitimate interest

The group applying for the amendment is the same group that submitted the application for registration of ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’.

Name of group ‘CAPSICUM’ – Association of breeders, producers and processors of peppers Group type Natural or legal person (provide in annex below justification) Participants Manufacturer(s), producer(s) Address ‘CAPSICUM’ – Association of breeders, producers and processors of peppers 951 31 Močenok No 655 Country Slovakia Tel. +421 917666306 Email(s) kolesar@maspoma.sk

2. Member State or third country

Slovakia

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

☒ Product name

☒ Product description

☐ Geographical area

☐ Proof of origin

☒ Method of production

☒ Link

☐ Labelling

☐ Other [to be specified]

4. Type of amendment(s)

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

☐ Amendments to the product specification of a registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published and which cannot be qualified as minor within the meaning of the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

5. Amendments

Product name

Amendment

(amendment to product specification and single document)

‘PAPRIKA ŽITAVA’/‘ŽITAVSKÁ PAPRIKA’

Reasons

The text concerning the linguistic origin of the name has been deleted from ‘Product name’, as Section 1 should only contain the name of the geographical indication.

Product description

Amendment

(amendment to product specification and single document)

Physical and chemical characteristics

Original text:

‘Visual appearance: homogeneous powder, with minimum microparticle content, ground finely enough to completely pass through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of 0,5 mm. Colour: bright, orange-red (colouring of at least 3,6 g/kg –1 or 120 ASTA in the dry matter of the pepper) Fat content: 9-11 % Ash: Not more than 7,00 % Ash insoluble in HCl: Not more than 0,70 %’

New wording:

‘Visual appearance: homogenous powder, ground finely enough to pass 95 % through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of 0,5 mm. Colour: bright, orange-red (colouring of at least 2,88 g/kg –1 or 96 ASTA in the dry matter of the pepper) Fat content: 8-12 % Ash: Not more than 8,00 % Ash insoluble in HCl: Not more than 1 %’

Reasons

In the section on physical/chemical properties under product description we hereby adjust the limit values for the following parameters:

‘Appearance, colour, fat content, ash and ash insoluble in HCl.’

Regarding the appearance parameter, we suggest that ‘with minimum micro-particles’ be deleted and the minimum proportion that passes through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of 0,5 mm be reduced.

The purpose of this is to eliminate the effect of varying amounts of pepper seeds on the fineness of grinding. Also, under certain conditions, the precise technological process of grinding, screening and homogenisation of the finished product does not have to ensure, in laboratory testing, that it completely passes through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of 0,5 mm (assuming that the uncertainty of the data in the sieve tests has also been taken into account).

New appearance parameter:

‘Visual appearance: homogenous powder, ground finely enough to pass 95 % through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of 0,5 mm.’

Regarding the colour parameter: we suggest specifying a negative tolerance of 20 % in respect of the original value of 3,6 g/kg-1 or 120 ASTA.

This is due to the natural decrease in the plant dye capsanthin which happens during storage of the paprika. By establishing this tolerance we are seeking to eliminate the negative impact of any adverse climatic conditions during the growing year on the initial amount of natural dye in paprika. We are also changing the colour parameter due to the change in the pepper varieties grown, which we set out in paragraph 3.3.

New colour parameter:

‘Colour: bright, orange-red (colouring of at least 2,88 g/kg –1 or 96 ASTA in the dry matter of the pepper)’

Regarding the fat content parameter: we suggest expanding the fat content range from 9-11 % to 8-12 %

due to the change in the pepper varieties grown, which we set out in paragraph 3.3.

New fat-content parameter:

‘Fat content: 8-12 %’

Regarding the ash parameter: we propose raising the maximum value from 7 % to 8 %

due to the change in the pepper varieties grown, which we set out in paragraph 3.3.

New ash parameter:

‘Ash: Not more than 8 %’

Regarding the ash parameter: we propose raising the maximum value from 0,70 % to 1 %

due to the change in the pepper varieties grown, which we set out in paragraph 3.3.

New parameter for ash insoluble in HCl:

‘Ash insoluble in HCl: Not more than 1 %’

Production method

Amendment

(amendment to product specification and single document)

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only)

In the Raw Materials section we propose removing the cultivated pepper varieties, i.e. deleting the first paragraph and the first sentence of the second paragraph:

‘“Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” may be produced only from a mixture of the following pepper varieties: Dvorská, Kolora, Kora Zel, Žitavská, Karkulka, Hodonínska sladká vzpriamená, Irokez, Rubin, Czárdás, Kármin and Szegedi 80. All the varieties used in the production of “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” are from the specified geographical area. The mixture used to make the product may contain all or just some of these varieties. Growers declare on their sales contracts that they grow only the pepper varieties in question, and this can be verified from their seed purchases.’

and we are adding the following:

‘The chilli peppers used to produce “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” must be grown, harvested and processed in the geographical area referred to in Section 4, so that the origin of the product is guaranteed and the production monitored. Pepper growers are allowed a choice of preferred varieties from the list of registered varieties grown in the Danubian Lowlands.’

Reasons

So as to ensure that pepper growers are allowed a choice of preferred varieties from the list of registered varieties grown in the Danubian Lowlands.

A mixture of these varieties grown in the defined geographical area, which preserves the product’s characteristics as set out in the product description, is used to produce ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’.

The previous wording was as follows:

‘“Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” may be produced only from a mixture of the following pepper varieties: Dvorská, Kolora, Kora Zel, Žitavská, Karkulka, Hodonínska sladká vzpriamená, Irokez, Rubin, Czárdás, Kármin and Szegedi 80. All the varieties used in the production of “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” are from the specified geographical area. The mixture used to make the product may contain all or just some of these varieties. Growers declare on their sales contracts that they grow only the pepper varieties in question, and this can be verified from their seed purchases. The quality of the pepper is checked visually during manual harvesting so as not to compromise the quality of the fruit. Only fully ripe fruits with a high pigment content are harvested. The harvesting of the ripe fruits begins in September and runs up until the end of October. It is important to prevent any mechanical damage to the fruits during harvesting. Paprika producers regularly monitor and record the quality of the raw materials before, during and after the production process.’

New text:

‘The chilli peppers used to produce “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” must be grown, harvested and processed in the geographical area referred to in Section 4, so that the origin of the product is guaranteed and the production monitored. Pepper growers are allowed a choice of preferred varieties from the list of registered varieties grown in the Danubian Lowlands. The quality of the pepper is checked visually during manual harvesting so as not to compromise the quality of the fruit. Only fully ripe fruits with a high pigment content are harvested. The harvesting of the ripe fruits begins in September and runs up until the end of October. It is important to prevent any mechanical damage to the fruits during harvesting. Paprika producers regularly monitor and record the quality of the raw materials before, during and after the production process.’

Link

Amendment

(amendment to product specification and single document)

5.2. Specificity of the product

Original text:

‘The pepper varieties obtained through selection and breeding are characterised by their relatively low fat content and relatively high sugar content, which gives “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” its pronounced flavour and orange-red colour. The chilli peppers must be ground using the traditional ‘colouring stone’ and properly transported and stored in order to preserve all the organoleptic properties. The typical orange-red colour of “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” depends on the special properties of the raw material (the peppers) and the traditional grinding method that does not impair the product.’

New text:

‘The pepper varieties grown in the defined geographical area are characterised by their relatively low fat content and relatively high sugar content, which gives “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” its pronounced flavour and orange-red colour. The chilli peppers must be ground using the traditional ‘colouring stone’ and properly transported and stored in order to preserve all the organoleptic properties. The typical orange-red colour of “Paprika Žitava”/“Žitavská paprika” depends on the special properties of the raw material (the peppers) and the traditional grinding method that does not impair the product.’

Reasons

Following the amendment to Section 3.3, we are amending the first sentence of Section 5(2)(1), replacing the original wording ‘The pepper varieties obtained through selection and breeding’ with the following: ‘The pepper varieties grown in the defined geographical area’.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’

EU No: PDO-SK-1024-AM01 –17.8.2018

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Name

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’

2. Member State or third country

Slovakia

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.8. Other products listed in Annex I to the Treaty (spices etc.)

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

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ is a sweet paprika made by grinding the dried fruits of the Capsicum chilli pepper grown in the Danubian Lowlands; the fruits are picked intact when ripe and then undergo a special post-harvest treatment process.

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ gets its characteristic intense colour from the final stage in the grinding process on what is known as the ‘colouring stone’; as pressure is applied, the temperature rises and the oil contained in the seeds is released, which is what imparts the characteristic orange-red colour.

Organoleptic characteristics

Aroma: pleasant vegetable aroma, fresh, with capsicum notes

Flavour: distinctly sweet, with no bitterness, reminiscent of fresh capsicums/sweet peppers

Physical and chemical characteristics

Visual appearance: homogenous powder, ground finely enough to pass 95 % through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of 0,5 mm.

Colour: bright, orange-red (pigment at least 2,88 g/kg –1 or 96 ASTA in the dry matter of the pepper)

Dry matter: minimum 90 %

Fat content: 8-12 %

Ash: Not more than 8,00 %

Ash insoluble in HCl: Not more than 1 %

Capsaicin in dry matter expressed as percentage by weight: 0,01-0,029 %

The paprika may not contain any additives. All the moisture is naturally contained in the intracellular space of the chilli peppers.

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

The chilli peppers used to produce ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ must be grown, harvested and processed in the geographical area referred to in Section 4, so that the origin of the product is guaranteed and the production monitored. Pepper growers are allowed a choice of preferred varieties from the list of registered varieties grown in the Danubian Lowlands.

The quality of the pepper is checked visually during manual harvesting so as not to compromise the quality of the fruit. Only fully ripe fruits with a high pigment content are harvested. The harvesting of the ripe fruits begins in September and runs up until the end of October. It is important to prevent any mechanical damage to the fruits during harvesting. Paprika producers regularly monitor and record the quality of the raw materials before, during and after the production process.

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

The chilli peppers used to produce ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ must be grown, harvested and processed in the geographical area referred to in Section 4, so that the origin of the product is guaranteed and the production monitored.

The entire production process takes place exclusively within the defined geographical area, in the following stages:

Cultivation

Harvesting and post-harvest treatment

Drying

Grinding

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

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ must be prepared for sale and packaged in the geographical area referred to in Section 4, so that the origin of the product is guaranteed and the production monitored, and to ensure that, when transported loose, it is not exposed to moisture that might impair its quality and special characteristics.

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ comes in paper, polyethylene, polyester and aluminium packaging, with oxygen permeability of less than 10 cm3/m2.d.0,1MPa and water vapour permeability of less than 10 g/m2.d. to maintain the quality and special characteristics of the product during its shelf-life.

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

Producers who make the product in accordance with the specification may use the name ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ for labelling, promoting and marketing the product. The labels on the product must include the words ‘chránené označenie pôvodu’ (protected designation of origin) or the acronym ‘CHOP’ (PDO) with the associated EU logo.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area where ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ is grown and processed is located in the Danubian Lowlands, at the Váh, Hron and Nitra river mouths and in the Little Danube and Žitava river valleys. It is bordered by the Danubian Hills to the east and to the north, by the Little Carpathians to the west and by the river Danube to the south. The area basically covers the Danubian Lowlands.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The Danubian Lowlands is the most northerly area where heat-loving fruits, such as sweet peppers and chilli peppers, can be grown cost-effectively. The area enjoys 70 days a year when the temperature tops 25 °C. The areas under cultivation are located at between 150 and 250 metres above sea level and the average temperature from May to September is 17,4 °C. Rainfall is 500-600 mm a year. The climate is characterised by hot and dry summers. The subsoil is made up of Neogene clays, gravels and sands. The fertility of the soil is optimal.

Method of cultivation: Regional varieties have been developed by growers on the basis of their know-how and experience accumulated over the years since peppers were first cultivated. As heat-loving plants, peppers have a long vegetation period and die if the temperature drops to – 2 °C. In Slovakia they are sown directly outside or grown from seedlings raised in greenhouses or coldframes and then planted out around the middle of May, 30 cm apart in rows 60 cm apart. In dry years when the soil moisture drops below 55 % the plants are irrigated.

Post-harvest handling: The chilli peppers are put in mesh bags or perforated crates, which are placed on top of each other and arranged in such a way as to maximise ventilation and prevent damage to the peppers.

Post-harvest ripening is extremely important, since for 2-5 weeks after harvesting there are enzymatic processes at work which intensify the colour in the peppers and give them their characteristic flavour and aroma.

Drying: The chilli peppers are washed in a rotary drum and sorted on a conveyor belt, to ensure that only clean, unblemished peppers go into the next stage of the process. Each pepper is cut in half lengthways. The drying process uses a current of hot air, the temperature of which is reduced as the peppers dry. Correct cutting, drying and storage minimises the risk of mould forming in the product.

Grinding: The dried chilli peppers are ground in two stages using a traditional method on a fine-grain rotating millstone. The first-stage millstone has a sieve to sift the ground paprika. The finely ground paprika falls through onto a spiralled conveyor, which feeds it into the homogeniser. The paprika that is not finely ground enough is returned onto the rollers. It then moves onto the second stage from the homogeniser to the ‘colouring stone’, which presses out the pigment-bearing oils to give the optimum colour. To maintain the taste properties and the vitamin B and C content, the stones rotate slowly, so that the temperature does not rise too much. The whole process is completed by sifting the powder through a sieve with a mesh aperture diameter of less than 0,5 mm, ensuring homogeneity.

5.2. Specificity of the product

The pepper varieties grown in the defined geographical area are characterised by their relatively low fat content and relatively high sugar content, which gives ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ its pronounced flavour and orange-red colour. The chilli peppers must be ground using the traditional ‘colouring stone’ and properly transported and stored in order to preserve all the organoleptic properties.

The typical orange-red colour of ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ depends on the special properties of the raw material (the peppers) and the traditional grinding method that does not impair the product.

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 specific characteristics of the product are imparted by the specific characteristics of the geographical area in terms of its soil, climate and human potential. The natural conditions in this region, which is the most northerly region suitable for pepper cultivation, the specially selected and bred traditional varieties and the traditional cultivation and processing techniques are what makes ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ the product it is. The elevation, abundant water, permeable soil and relatively low number of sunny days in summer mean that the high saccharide content in the peppers is not transformed into pigment to the same extent as it is when peppers are grown in hotter areas, but is retained in terms of flavour. This is what gives ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ its uniquely sweet aroma and flavour. This combination of factors makes it possible to grow regional varieties of peppers that give ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ its distinctive colour, aroma and flavour.

The post-harvest handling, drying and grinding also reflect know-how and skills accumulated over generations. The climatic conditions in the growing area have shaped the post-harvest handling procedures. One of the key elements in this is the post-harvest ripening, which affects the quality of the paprika and increases the pigment content. In order to be ground the peppers need to be dried so that they have a 90 % dry matter content.

‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ was first grown and processed in the defined geographical area as far back as the 18th century. When cultivation turned large-scale, varieties were imported from Spain and Hungary. The Spanish varieties proved unsuccessful, but using Hungarian varieties and drawing on the know-how of Hungarian growers, in particular from the Szeged and Kalocsa regions, Slovak growers developed local varieties adapted to the soil and climate of the region. New local varieties were created simply by selecting from the best growers. At first they were named after the village or producer, with names like Močenská hrubostenná, Branovská Fekete and Branovská Ďurica. Later on they were named after rivers in the regions where they grew well, with names like Považská hrubostenná sladká, Nitrianska tenkostenná sladká, Dunajská hrubostenná sladká, Žitavská hrubostenná sladká and Hodonínska sladká vzpriamená.

The first industrial paprika mill, which belonged to the Šmigura family, began operating in 1928. In 1934 a high-performance mill was also constructed in Diakovce by a Mr Holub, the administrator of the assets of the archdiocese of Esztergom. Further mills were gradually built in Hurbanovo, Nové Zámky and Dvory nad Žitavou.

More intensive plant-breeding activity to select varieties suitable for the region began in the 1950s. The first genetically determined regional varieties, such as Karkulka and Agronomka, went into cultivation. Breeding, with the emphasis on using proven regional varieties, created the wide range of varieties that continue to be cultivated to this day. The main varieties are Dvorská, Kolora, Kora Zel, Žitavská, Karkulka, Hodonínska sladká vzpriamená, Irokez, Rubin, Czárdás, Kármin and Szegedi 80.

Although paprika production has been affected by social changes in the country, with production carried out in different factories and by different companies, the specific characteristics of the product and the traditional production method have been maintained to this day.

Despite the huge influx of peppers from other regions, the chilli peppers used to make ‘Paprika Žitava’/‘Žitavská paprika’ continue to be grown in the Danubian Lowlands, constituting a significant source of income and employment in the region, particularly for small growers, as well as being a symbol of their culture and tradition.

Reference to publication of the product specification

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

http://www.upv.sk/swift_data/source/pdf/specifikacie_op_oz/SPECIFIKACIA_Paprika_Zitava.pdf

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