EN Official Journal of the European Union C 266/17

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2009/C 266/11

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PESCA DI LEONFORTE’

EC No: IT-PGI-0005-0651-03.10.2007

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name:

‘Pesca di Leonforte’

2. Member State or third country:

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1. Type of product (Annex II):

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

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

‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI peaches are grown from two local peach ecotypes, Bianco di Leonforte and Giallone di Leonforte, which are not listed in the national catalogue of varieties.

When released for consumption, the peaches must display the following characteristics: fresh, undamaged appearance; healthy, unaffected by rot or any changes rendering them unsuitable for consumption. They must also be clean, i.e. free of any visible foreign substance and free of parasites at any stage of their growth; free of any foreign smell and/or taste.

The consistency of the flesh, measured with an 8 mm penetrometer tip, must be at least 4,5 kg/cm2 for the Giallone di Leonforte ecotype and at least 3,5 kg/cm2 for the Bianco di Leonforte ecotype; the soluble solids content must be between 11 and 13 degrees Brix and the weight between 100 and 350 g. The fruit must be round in shape, with asymmetrical ‘halves’; the flesh of the Bianco di Leonforte ecotype is white and the skin is also white, with red streaks (not always evident); the flesh of the Giallone di Leonforte ecotype is yellow and the skin is also yellow, with red streaks (not always evident). The flesh must adhere directly to the stone.

Only Class Extra and Class I peaches may be referred to as ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only):

—

3.5. Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area:

During the phase in which the fruit reaches the size of a walnut, but not after the month of July, parchment paper coverings in the form of small bags must be used as a physical defence against pathogens. Harvesting takes place between the first 10 days of September and the first 10 days of November. Picking must be by hand, avoiding the hottest times of the day and exposure to direct sunlight. Particular care should be taken when removing the fruit from the branch — this should be done without damaging the stalk. Also, the wire used to tie the parchment bags must be removed, so as not to damage the fruit.

3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:

‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI peaches must be packaged in the production area so that they do not get dirty and bruised from transporting and excessive handling, which would expose them to mould and pathogens and thus compromise the characteristic qualities of the product.

‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI fruit should be sold in cardboard or wooden trays or boxes, or in baskets of various sizes from 0,5 to 6 kg. Every package or batch must contain fruit of the same variety, quality class, size and degree of ripeness. The fruit must be of a consistent colouring depending on the ecotype. It must be packaged in a single layer and the individual peaches must be separated from each other by protective material. The protective and/or decorative material must be new, odourless and non-toxic; also, the product must not come into contact with ink and/or glue used for stamping or labelling. In addition, the packaging must be free of any foreign body.

Every package must be sealed in such a way that opening the package breaks the seal and it is impossible to change the contents following packaging.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:

The label must feature the special logo and the EU graphic symbol.

It is forbidden to add any description that is not expressly provided for. However, references to brand names may be used, on condition that they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser.

The special logo is made up of an oval shape containing a representation of the Granfonte fountain, the monument that is the symbol of the municipality of Leonforte, in front of which, in the foreground, is a peach wrapped in its protective bag. At the top centre of the oval are the words ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ and at the bottom in the centre the Italian acronym ‘I.G.P.’. The emblem has a thick green border and the background is a soft yellow, with the Granfonte fountain and the wording (‘Pesca di Leonforte’ and ‘I.G.P.’) in green, a yellowy-orange peach with a green leaf and a white protective bag with grey shading and a black outline, as well as a black line representing the wire for closing the bag.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area:

The production area for ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI peaches is made up of the municipalities of Leonforte, Enna, Calascibetta, Assoro and Agira, in the Province of Enna.

5. Link with the geographical area:

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:

The area in which the peaches are grown is situated in the ‘heart’ of Sicily. The soil is alluvial and of a medium consistency, with high levels of clay and organic substances. There is a Mediterranean climate characterised by long, hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Rainfall is concentrated in the period from October to March. In addition, it is in the area delineated above that growers invented and developed the practice of putting the fruit in small bags while it is still on the branch, which protects it from pests and enables it to ripen smoothly before picking.

5.2. Specificity of the product:

‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI peaches stand out from other products in the same product category by virtue of their firmness, their late ripening and the use of protective bags.

These properties mean that they can be marketed when the other products in the same category are no longer available. Harvesting takes place between the first 10 days of September and the first 10 days of November. A particular feature of ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ PGI peaches is that, for decades, they have been covered while still on the branch, as a means of combating the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). Over time, this practice has been one of the more significant aspects in the production of these peaches and has made them more resistant to falling, as they are protected by a small, rain-resistant, silver parchment bag.

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 application for PGI status for ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ is justified by the product’s reputation and the fact that it is so well known for its characteristic firmness and late ripening, which means that it is still available at times when it is virtually impossible to find peaches. The work of the growers themselves is fundamental — they have come to manage their own production, fully aware that they are dealing with a unique product. They often get members of their own families to work hard day and night, helping to put on the protective bags. The return from selling the peaches is such as to have improved the living conditions of the operators in the area.

For about the last 20 years, ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ has had a considerable economic impact not only in the area of production, but also in neighbouring municipalities at the time of an annual festival held on the first Sunday in October in the old centre of the small town built by Prince Nicolò Placido Branciforti in the 17th century. The municipal authorities first set up this event in 1982, promoting and celebrating the fruit to encourage its development and raise awareness among Sicilian consumers of how special and unique a product it is. From its inception, the ‘Pesca di Leonforte Festival’ has existed to promote the late-ripening product.

Reference to publication of the specification:

The government launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising ‘Pesca di Leonforte’ in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 186 of 11 August 2007.

The full text of the product specification is available:

at the following website: http://www.politicheagricole.it/DocumentiPubblicazioni/Search_Documenti_Elenco.htm?txtTipoDocumento=Disciplinare%20in%20esame%20UE&txtDocArgomento=Prodotti%20di%20Qualit%E0>Prodotti%20Dop,%20Igp%20e%20Stg or