Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2004/C 88/03)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article 12(3) within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION: ARTICLE 5

PDO (x) PGI ( )

National application No: 86

1. Responsible Department in the Member State Name: Subdirección General de Sistemas de Calidad Diferenciada - Dirección General de Alimentación - Secretaría General de Agricultura y Alimentación del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación de España

Address: Paseo Infanta Isabel, 1, E-28071 Madrid

Tel. (34) 913 47 53 94

Fax (34) 913 47 54 10

2. Applicant group 2.1. Name: S.C.A. Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios, Avda. Manuel de Falla s/n, E - 11690 Olvera ( Cádiz )

S.C.A. San Antón, Avda. de Andalucía, 8, E - 41670 Pruna ( Sevilla )

Aceites Blázquez S.L., Avda. de Andalucía, 18, E - 41670 Pruna ( Sevilla )

Almazara El Salado, C/ Vitoria, 22, E - 11690 Olvera ( Cádiz )

SAT 1 184 San José Obrero, Ctra. Morón - Algodonales s/n, E - 41780 Coripe ( Sevilla )

S.C.A. El Agro, Ctra. Setenil - Alcalá del Valle s/n, E - 11692 Setenil de las Bodegas ( Cádiz )

Almazara Las Pilas, C/ Socorro, 32, E - 11690 Olvera ( Cádiz )

Almazara El Vínculo, Ctra. Zahara - Grazalema Km. 1, E - 11688 Zahara de la Sierra ( Cádiz )

2.2. Address Name: Ceder Sierra de Cádiz S.A.

Address: Castillo Palacio de los Ribera, plaza Alcalde José González s/n

E-11640 Bornos (Cádiz)

Tel. (34) 956 72 90 00

Fax (34) 956 72 82 63

2.3. Composition: Producer/processor (x) Other ( )

3. Type of product: Extra virgin olive oil - Class 1.5 Oils and fats

4. Specification (Summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

4.1. Name: "Sierra de Cádiz"

4.2. Description: Extra virgin olive oil obtained from olives of the olive tree (Olea Europea L) belonging to the Lechín de Sevilla, Manzanilla, Verdial de Huevar, Verdial de Cádiz, Hojiblanca, Picual, Alameña de Montilla and Arbequina varieties. Its characteristics are: acidity: maximum 0,6°; peroxide value: maximum 18 meq of active oxygen per kg; absorbency in the ultraviolet (k270): maximum 0,20; humidity: maximum 0,1 per 100; impurities: maximum 0,1 per 100; organoleptic marking by panel of tasters: minimum 6,7 points.

The oils have the medium to intense fruity aroma of the green or ripe olive, reminiscent of wild fruits, with a slightly bitter and sharp flavour, well-balanced and pleasing to the palate.

4.3. Geographical area Location and delimitation of the area

The area in which the oil is produced, processed and packaged coincides with a natural sub-region within the Sierra de Cádiz region, occupying the north-eastern part of that province. It is hemmed in between sierras such as those of Lijar and Algodonales and closed off in the south-west by the Sierra de Grazalema. It lies adjacent to the "Sierra de Grazalema" National Park, in which two of the municipalities forming part of it are situated, a factor demonstrating the area's special environmental characteristics.

Municipalities concerned

It covers seven municipalities in the province of Cadiz: Alcalá del Valle, Algodonales, Olvera, El Gastor, Setenil de las Bodegas, Torrealháquime, Zahara de la Sierra, and two in the province of Seville: Coripe and Pruna.

Processing and packaging area

The processing and packaging area coincides with the production area.

4.4. Proof of origin: The olive groves, oil mills and/or packaging plants listed in the Regulating Board's register will be subjected to regular inspections for the purpose of monitoring and verifying compliance with their obligations.

Olive grove inspections will involve data being collected on the groves' state of health and on plant health treatments carried out. Inspections at oil mills and/or packaging plants will include taking samples of products and collecting data relating to the intake of olives, the processing and storage of olive oil and the volume of production.

The registered oil mill and/or packaging plant will submit an application, using a special form, to have a batch of olive oil certified. This procedure will lead to the Regulating Board taking the relevant samples and to the stores being subsequently sealed until the packaging of the oil.

For a batch of product to qualify for certification, it must comply with the administrative, technical and legal requirements set out in the Regulation and the Manual de Calidad (quality control manual). The Regulating Board will decide whether or not to certify a batch on the basis of a file submitted giving information about inspections and the results of analyses, and of other documents in its archives.

When a batch has been certified, packaging will be undertaken under the supervision of the Regulating Board. On the packaging, a back label must appear identifying the designation of origin and bearing, in addition to the name "Sierra de Cádiz" and the logo, a unique serial number.

4.5. Method of production Processing is limited to extracting from the olive its juice, all of whose characteristics are retained, and obtaining a natural product appreciated for its distinct qualities.

The various aspects featuring in the production of virgin olive oil of the Sierra de Cádiz designation of origin are set out below:

Fixed factors and cultivation techniques

The traditional groves are over 100 years old, have steep slopes and are divided into numerous parcels. There is no practice of irrigation; the land is tilled, and on parcels not suited to mechanisation tilling with mules continues.

Harvesting and transport

Two factors are to be borne in mind: the timing of the harvest and the method used.

Harvesting takes place over a period extending from November to February/March. The picking methods are different but tend always to be along traditional lines, inflicting the least possible damage to the fruit.

An essential feature of olive picking in the Sierra de Cádiz is the separating of the fruit picked directly from the tree from that on the ground.

Conditions of transport ensure that the fruit suffers as little as possible.

Intake of the olives

Prior to their arrival at the oil mill, the olives from the ground are separated from those from the tree.

Phases in the processing procedure

The most appropriate machinery and procedures are used for the purpose of obtaining the best extra virgin olive oil. The phases are as follows: cleaning and washing, storage, pressing, crushing, separating the liquid matter from the solid matter (systems in two or three phases) and separating the various liquid phases (by centrifugation or a mixed system).

Packaging and storage

The store or cellar is the place where the olive oil will remain until it is marketed. The extra virgin olive oils protected by the designation of origin are always packaged in glass bottles. Bottling in the area of origin is compulsory in order better to safeguard the quality and authenticity of the product and, consequently, the reputation of the designation of origin, for which the holders assume full and collective responsibility. Checks in the production area under the responsibility of the holders of the designation of origin are detailed and systematic and are carried out by professionals with a specialised knowledge of the characteristics of the product. It would be difficult effectively to carry out the checks necessary to guarantee the product outside the production area.

4.6. Link: It is the natural mix of varieties, "Lechín" being the leading one, and the characteristics and peculiarities of this sierra region that have produced an extra virgin olive oil featuring differing qualities known from early times as "aceite de la Sierra de Cádiz" (Sierra de Cadiz olive oil).

Background

The olive cultivation tradition in this area has over the ages been reflected in various writings and accounts, the most representative examples of which are as follows:

"Olvera", a township whose name comes from the Arabic name "Wubira", which in turn stems from the existence in that area of a multitude of "oliveras" (cf. Olvera), i.e. olive groves ("olivares").

The works of Madoz and Igartuburu, among others, dating back to the 18th century, recount that the olive oils from Algodonales are first-rate, both as regards quantity and quality.

Pruna and its long-standing tradition should also be mentioned: in 1886 a family oil mill was set up there and is still operational today. Also, the Illustrated Geographical Dictionary dating back to 1833 tells us that in Setenil de las Bodegas there were four oil mills. The dictionary also mentions Zahara de la Sierra and its wonderful olive oil, which is described as "agreste, montaraz, frutado como ningún otro" (rustic, rugged and fruity as no other).

In El Gastor, four oil mills operated in the post war period; two of these are preserved today as vestiges of the past.

Physical link

Physical features:

Orography:

The Sierra de Cádiz region features two different types of relief: on one side, the Grazalema massif and on the other, the north-western part where the olive-growing areas proper are situated; the Guadalete River separates these two constituent parts.

Soils:

The soils of the Sierra de Cádiz are poor, ruling out most crops, except arable ones in flat areas and olives on the steeper slopes.

Climate:

The Sierra de Cádiz enjoys a very different type of climate from the rest of the province on account of its altitude, which can reach 1800 meters. It is among the coldest areas in the province of Cadiz, owing to its distance from the sea. Rainfall is in excess of 600 litres per year.

Production conditions:

It is in the areas of the Sierra de Cádiz where other crops cannot thrive that groves are situated, olive trees finding it easy to take root on marginal land, slopes and stony terrain. The holdings are small, many of them with a surface area of between 5 and 10 hectares, and olives are their main crop.

The groves are generally old and situated on land where mechanisation is difficult, their high degree of adaptability having encouraged their establishment on the most marginal land. The steepness of many parcels' slopes mean that tilling and harvesting are still carried out today with the help of mules.

4.7. Inspection body Name: Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen "Sierra de Cádiz"

Address: Polígono Industrial de Olvera s/n, E - 11690 Olvera ( Cádiz )

Tel. (34) 956 13 00 34

Fax (34) 956 12 05 11

The Regulating Board for the "Sierra de Cádiz" designation of origin complies with standard EN 45011.

4.8. Labelling: Once certification has been accorded by the Regulating Board, the oil mill and packaging plant will be able to package their olive oil in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Designation of Origin.

The labels must be approved by the Regulating Board and the words Denominación de Origen "Sierra de Cádiz" must appear on them.

Back labels must be numbered and issued by the Regulating Board.

4.9. National requirements - Law No 25/1970 of 2 December 1970 on rules governing viticulture, wine and spirits,

- Decree No 835/1972 of 23 March 1972 on detailed rules for the implementation of Law No 25/1970,

- Order of 25 January 1994 specifying the correlation between Spanish law and Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 as regards designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs,

- Royal Decree No 1643/1999 of 22 October 1999 on the procedure governing applications for entry into the Community register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.

EC No: ES/00219/28.12.2001.

Date of receipt of the full application: 10 December 2003.