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

(2021/C 514/04)

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 PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS 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

’Carne Mertolenga’

EU No: PDO-PT-0212-AM01 – 1 March 2018

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Associação de Criadores de Bovinos Mertolengos [Association of Mertolenga Breeders]

The group is composed of producers of ‘Carne Mertolenga’ and therefore has a legitimate interest in submitting an amendment application.

Address: Rua Diana de Liz Horta do Bispo Apartado 466 7006-806 Évora Country: Portugal

Tel. +351 266711222

Email: geral@mertolenga.com

2. Member State or Third country

Portugal

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

☐ Name of product

☒ Description of product

☐ Geographical area

☒ Proof of origin

☒ Method of production

☐ Link

☒ Labelling

☒ Other: deletion of the provisions on placement on the market, update to information on the control body and deletion of the provisions on irregularities and appeal

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 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)

5.1. Description of product

1. Amendment

Amendment 1: Deletion of the word ‘refrigerated’ from the product description.

Reason: The word ‘refrigerated’ must be deleted so that ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO beef may be presented in the form of frozen cuts. This is in response to how the market is evolving as regards the way the product is presented.

Original text: ‘Refrigerated meat from Mertolenga breed animals...’

Amended text: ‘Meat from Mertolenga breed animals...’

2. Amendment

Amendment 2: Replacement of the words ‘raw material classification’ with ‘age brackets’.

Reason: The words ‘age brackets’ are more appropriate in the text, because the only reference is to the age of the animals at the time of slaughter.

Original text: ‘Raw material classification:’

Amended text: ‘Age brackets:’

3. Amendment

Amendment 3: Deletion of the references to carcass weight in the age brackets.

Reason: Council Regulation (EC) No 700/2007 of 11 June 2007 states that the weight of the animals on slaughter appears to be less important in determining the characteristics of their meat. This Regulation does not define weight ranges for carcasses. The carcass weight limits for the various age brackets included in the product specification must therefore be deleted.

4. Amendment

Amendment 4: Clarification of the ‘vitela’ (veal) and ‘novilho’ (young bull) age bracket ranges.

Reason: This amendment makes it clearer that the upper limit of the age range is included in the respective category.

Original text: ‘Age range: 6-10 months’.

Amended text: ‘Age range: over 6 months and younger than or equal to 10 months’.

Original text: ‘Age range: 15-30 months’.

Amended text: ‘Age range: over 15 months and younger than or equal to 30 months’.

5. Amendment

Amendment 5: Inclusion of the ‘vitelão’ (yearling) age bracket.

Reason: In the original text of the product specification, there is a gap between the ‘vitela’ (veal, 6-10 months) and ‘novilho/ novilha’ (young bull/heifer, 15-30 months) age brackets. This gap was due to a mistake by the author of the text, because the ‘vitelão’ (yearling) age bracket was not very relevant in the Portuguese beef market at the time. Since then, the Portuguese market has shown greater appreciation for lighter bovine carcasses. This has opened up a new possibility for production, as well as the ‘vitela’ (veal) already provided for in the product specification. The production of this type of carcasses is appropriate considering the growth potential of Mertolenga cattle. As their growth rate after weaning is slower than that of other more specialised breeds (937 g/day on average), the age range for the ‘vitelão’ (yearling) age bracket is defined as being between the upper limit defined for the ‘vitela’ (veal) age bracket and the lower limit defined for the ‘novilho/novilha’ (young bull/heifer) age bracket at the time of slaughter.

Original text: (non-existent)

Amended text: ‘Vitelão (yearling) - animals with the following characteristics at the time of slaughter: Age range: over 10 months and younger than or equal to 15 months’.

6. Amendment

Amendment 6: Merging of the “novilho” (young bull) and “novilha” (heifer) age brackets into a single age bracket, “novilho/ novilha” (young bull/heifer).

Reason: Having eliminated the references to the carcass weight, the distinction between the “novilho” (young bull) and “novilha” (heifer) age brackets is no longer evident and it does not make sense to present this beef to the consumer in different categories. Therefore, they must be merged into a single category.

Original text: “Novilho” (young bull) - male animals with the following characteristics at the time of slaughter: Age range: 15 - 30 months / carcass weight: between 200 and 250 kg. “Novilha” (heifer) - female animals with the following characteristics at the time of slaughter: Age range: 15 - 30 months / Carcass weight: between 180 and 220 kg’.

Amended text: ‘Novilho/ novilha (young bull/heifer) - animals with the following characteristics at the time of slaughter: Age range: over 15 months and younger than or equal to 30 months’.

7. Amendment

Amendment 7: Eligibility of other age brackets.

Reason: Following the implementation of the breed improvement plan, particularly the use of artificial insemination as well as other technical measures, the zootechnical value of Mertolenga breed animals has improved significantly. This means that the composition of the carcasses has also improved, even in the case of the older animals.

Therefore, the current characteristics that are inherent to the breed allow for this amendment to the categories and the inclusion of new age brackets.

Original text: (non-existent)

Amended text: ‘The carcasses of animals of different age brackets are also eligible for certification’.

8. Amendment

Amendment 8: Identification of the carcass categories that are allowed, in view of the amendments proposed to the age brackets.

Reason: This change is being made in order to ensure that the text of the product specification is consistent with amendments 5, 6 and 7 and to enable more objective identification of the categories that are eligible for certification as ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO.

Original text:

‘Novilho (young bull): categories above “E” and below “P” (inclusive) are excluded. Novilha (heifer): the same restrictions as apply to the young bull. Vitela (veal): categories above E (inclusive) are excluded.’

Amended text: ‘Novilho/novilha (young bull/heifer): categories U, R and O are allowed. Other age brackets: categories U, R, O and P are allowed.’

9. Amendment

Amendment 9: Identification of ‘quarter-carcass’ as a form of presentation that is allowed.

Reason: The ‘quarter-carcass’ form of presentation must be added in response to the market and how it is changing. The ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO product leaves the slaughterhouse in carcass, half-carcass or quarter-carcass form.

Original text: ‘Carcasses or half-carcasses.’

Amended text: ‘Carcasses, half-carcasses or quarter-carcasses.’

10. Amendment

Amendment 10: Deletion of the reference to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1026/91.

Reason: Deletion of reference to outdated legislation.

Original text: ‘The Community grading scale for the classification of carcasses is adopted in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 1026/91, subject to the following restrictions’.

Amended text: ‘Carcasses classified in the following identified categories are allowed’.

5.2. Proof of origin

1. Amendment

Amendment 11: Deletion of the obligation that producers must belong to the group and that they must only slaughter animals from the geographical area that corresponds to the ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO.

Reason: Deletion of provisions not in line with the legislation.

Original text: ‘The holdings of member producers must be located within the demarcated region and this is a condition that is necessary in order for them to join the group.’

Amended text: (deleted).

Original text: ‘Member farmers undertake a commitment in writing to only slaughter animals from the geographical area in question.’

Amended text: ‘Producers undertake a commitment in writing to only submit for certification animals that have been born and bred in the geographical area in question.’

2. Amendment

Amendment 12: Deletion of the requirement to identify the animals by tattooing.

Reason: Obsolete provision. Two systems are currently used in the breeding book for identifying animals that are eligible for ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO certification: two ear tags with the SIA number (official identification number) and electronic identification (in this case, only for adults). The rules that are currently in force concerning the identification and handling of cattle enable perfect traceability of the animals’ origin.

Original text: ‘The use of tattoos for livestock identification, entry in the register of births and the breeding book, metallic ear tags (SIA number), transportation documents and compliance with the relevant inspection rules in force will make it possible to accurately determine the origin of meat intended for certification.’

Amended text: ‘The system whereby animals are entered in the breeding book and compliance with the relevant inspection rules in force will make it possible to accurately determine the origin of meat intended for certification.’

5.3. Production method

1. Amendment

Amendment 13: To update the reference to the breeding book

Reason: According to the updated Regulation on the breeding book for the Mertolenga cattle breed, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 2016/1012 of 8 June 2016, the aim of this amendment is that the product specification for ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO should take into consideration all Mertolenga breed animals that have been entered in the breeding book, including those that have been entered in the founding register, as they are not entered in the register of births.

Original text: ‘Meat exclusively from Mertolenga breed cattle that have been entered in the register of births.’

Amended text: ‘Meat exclusively from Mertolenga breed cattle that have been entered in the breeding book.’

Original text: ‘According to the rules of the breeding book for the Mertolenga cattle breed, the fact of entering an animal in the register of births implies that it is tattooed with an identification number and that it is the offspring of registered parents.’

Amended text: ‘According to the rules of the breeding book for the Mertolenga cattle breed, the fact of registering an animal implies that it has been assigned a unique identification number and that it is the offspring of registered parents.’

2. Amendment

Amendment 14: Deletion of the provisions regarding the homogeneity of the lots to be slaughtered.

Reason: This point is being deleted to maintain consistency with proposed amendments to the product description, where the references to the carcass weight in each age bracket were deleted.

Original text: ‘Homogeneity of the lots to be slaughtered. Weight range in lots: 50 kg. Age range within batches: 4 months’.

Amended text: (deleted).

3. Amendment

Amendment 15: Updating the provisions concerning refrigeration.

Reason: With a view to guaranteeing compliance with Decree-Law No 158/97, the cooling period of 10 hours at 1 oC was extended to 24 hours at 0-2 oC to ensure that the post-mortem inspection is followed by a cooling period at the slaughter-house to guarantee a temperature throughout the meat of not more than 7 oC, along a chilling curve that ensures a continuous decrease of the temperature. The relative humidity and air circulation speed should also ensure the absence of condensation on any part of the surface of the carcass. For cutting, boning, trimming, slicing, wrapping and packaging, the temperature of the meat at the start of the process must be between 0 °C and 2 °C. Vacuum-packed cuts and slices, cubes or strips in vacuum packs or in a protective atmosphere must be kept at a temperature of between 0 oC and 4 oC. The cooling, handling and processing of the carcass must be carried out in accordance, in particular, with Chapters V and VII of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.

Original text: ‘For 10 hours at 1 oC.’

Amended text: ‘Carcasses must be cooled slowly at temperatures between 0 oC and 2 oC over the course of 24 hours so that the internal muscle masses attain a temperature of at least 7 oC prior to cutting’.

4. Amendment

Amendment 16: Updating the provisions relating to maturation.

Reason: With a view to ensuring the high product tenderness associated with the needs of large-scale retailers, the minimum time interval between slaughter and sale to the consumer was reduced from 4 days to 3, as this is not detrimental to the product quality, is beneficial to trading channels and ensures that muscle masses are cooled after slaughter. The entire maturation process that applies to meat from animals covered by the ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO must necessarily be compliant with the terms of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin. The reference to the ideal maturation period is being deleted as it is an indicative reference with no regulatory status.

Original text: ‘The ideal maturation period for the meat is 7 days at 1 °C, but it may be offered for sale to the consumer 4 days after slaughter.’

Amended text: ‘The maturation period for the meat at temperatures of between 0 °C and 2 °C must last at least 3 days, from the date of slaughter until sale to the consumer.’

5. Amendment

Amendment 17: Updating the provisions relating to freezing.

Reason: While the ban on the freezing/deep-freezing of carcasses, half-carcasses and quarter-carcasses remains, it is now permitted to freeze vacuum-packed cuts and other formats, as this form of presentation enables the quality of the product offered to the consumer to be maintained, while improving trading channels with more flexible validity dates and better alignment with current product management needs.

Original text: ‘Freezing is prohibited.’

Amended text: ‘The freezing/deep freezing of carcasses, half-carcasses or quarter-carcasses is prohibited. It is allowed for cuts that are vacuum-packed or packaged in other presentation formats.’

6. Amendment

Amendment 18: Deletion of the provisions on sanitation and veterinary care, banned substances, transport, slaughterhouses, slaughter, hygiene, cutting and packaging, and other provisions.

Reason: These aspects are regulated in general legislation, so it is not necessary for them to be mentioned in the product specification.

Original text:

‘Sanitation and veterinary care. Animals must be decontaminated by the animal health protection group for the respective region or by the competent official services. Veterinary interventions, prescribed therapeutic interventions and the dates of any such interventions must be entered in the individual identification document. The attending veterinarian is solely responsible for the use of medicines. In the case of treatment for animals intended for slaughter, the withdrawal period for the elimination of residues of medicines must also be registered.’

‘Banned substances. In accordance with existing or upcoming national and Community legislation on the use of medicines supplied along with feed or on a direct basis, in particular Decree-Law No 210/84 and Council Directives 81/602/EEC and 85/358/EEC and 146/68 [sic], the use of banned substances is prohibited.’

‘Transport. In accordance with existing or upcoming national and Community legislation on the transportation of live animals, the following rules must be followed: There must be no ill-treatment in loading and unloading operations; the minimum space that is indispensable for animal welfare must be respected.’

‘Slaughterhouses. EC-approved slaughterhouses or slaughterhouses belonging to the Portuguese national slaughterhouse network.’

‘Slaughter. The appropriate withdrawal period for the elimination of the residues, in accordance with the individual record and the report issued by the veterinarian, must be respected. The national and Community legislation on the slaughter of animals for human consumption must be respected.’

‘Hygiene. The applicable national and Community legislation must be complied with in the processing and preparation of the meat.’

‘Cutting and packaging. Cutting must be carried out by specialised personnel in a room that has been duly legalised for this purpose.’

‘Other requirements laid down by Community or national provisions. The production, processing and marketing of meat must comply with the applicable national legislation and Community regulations. Any cases not covered by this specification are governed by the applicable legal rules.’

Amended text: (deleted).

7. Amendment

Amendment 19: Updating of provisions on feed for the animals.

Reason: Due to unclear wording, the current product specification seems to prohibit the use of non-compound animal feed sources from neighbouring farms, which does not make sense. Moreover, there do not seem to be any restrictions on where compound feed is sourced from, which does not make sense either. The aim of this amendment is to clarify the rules that apply to animal feed, particularly when sourced from outside the geographical area. This amendment means that in the event of a feed shortage, producers will now be able to guarantee animal welfare or ongoing compliance with the specifications of another quality or certification scheme (for example, organic farming). We have taken the opportunity to update the text on the reporting obligations for operators, in the light of the current requirements in this regard for official inspections.

Original text: ‘Farming is extensive with a stocking density of less than 1.4 LU/ha. Calves are weaned between the ages of 6 and 9 months. (...) Extensive farming is maintained after weaning, with calves following a similar diet to that of their mothers.’

Amended text: ‘The animals are bred in extensive farming with a stocking density of less than 1.4 LU/ha. Calves feed on their mothers’ milk until they are 6-9 months old and graze along with their mothers. Extensive farming is maintained after weaning, with calves following a similar diet to that of their mothers.’

Original text: ‘The calves’ feed may be supplemented with compound feed when there is a fodder shortage. (...) Supplementation: with products from the farm or compound feed. Animals are reared in extensive farming and finishing may be based on products sourced from the farm or on compound feed.’

Amended text: ‘If necessary, the animals’ diet may be supplemented with products sourced from the same or other farms, or with compound feed. Animals are reared in extensive farming and finishing may be based on products sourced from the same or other farms or on compound feed.’

Original text: (non-existent)

Amended text: ‘If it is necessary to use animal feed that is not sourced from the same farm, then producers should give priority to animal feed sourced from other farms located within the geographical area. If that is not feasible, then animal feed sourced from outside the geographical area may be used, as long as it does not exceed 50 % of the dry matter on an annual basis.’

Original text: ‘The use of compound feed must be authorised by the Producer Group. This must be notified, as well as any permits issued to the private inspection body, so that the use and characteristics of this kind of feed may be controlled.’

Amended text: ‘The use of feed sourced from other farms and compound feed must be notified to the control body in such a manner that the source, characteristics and quantities used or intended for use may be checked.’

8. Amendment

Amendment 20: Updating of the provisions concerning product disqualification.

Reason: The aim of this amendment is to clarify the provisions concerning product disqualification in the product specification.

Original text: ‘Disqualification. The Protected Designation of Origin may not be allocated to carcasses or cuts of meat which: do not comply with the specifications concerning production, processing and marketing as set out in this document; have been damaged during the process of slaughter, bleeding, evisceration, etc.’

Amended text: ‘Disqualification. Certification must not be given to meat obtained from carcasses or cuts that have been damaged (during the process of slaughter, bleeding, evisceration, etc.) to such an extent that compliance with legislation or with this product specification is compromised.’

5.4. Labelling

1. Amendment

Amendment 21: Deletion of provisions concerning identification and labelling.

Reason: These aspects are regulated in general legislation, so it is not necessary for them to be mentioned in the product specification.

Original text: ‘Identification and labelling. The meat must be identified using a stamp, sticker or packaging bearing the following designation: CARNE MERTOLENGA - D.O.. Carcasses must be stamped at various points on each half-carcass. Packaged cuts must be identified using stickers or stamped packaging. Meat trays and prepared meats must be identified using stickers. The name of the producer, the identity and type of animal, the age and the date of slaughter must also be stated on an individual form. This form must accompany the carcasses and other forms of presentation during transportation and marketing. As for vacuum-packed cuts, meat trays or prepared meats, as well as the above particulars, which must be visible on the label, the cut or cuts contained in the respective packaging and their weight must also be identified.’

Amended text: (deleted).

2. Amendment

Amendment 22: Updating of specific elements of the labelling.

Reason: Deletion of obsolete legal references and provisions that are legally redundant. Deletion of the mandatory requirement to use the ‘Carne Mertolenga’ trademark and logo (the use of which is reserved exclusively for members of the group), since no operator can be obliged to be a member of the group.

Original text: ‘The labelling must be carried out in accordance with standing legislation (Decree-Law No 170/92 and Ministerial Implementing Order No 119/93) and include the following particulars: Trademark and logo: Carne Mertolenga – DO; Product type: [Novilho (young bull)/ Novilha ( heifer)/ Vitela (veal)]; Cut identification: (loin, striploin, etc...); Net weight; Date of slaughter; Other elements deemed to be relevant. The “Carne Mertolenga” PDO marking, the respective symbols and logos used on the label and the advertising for the meat can only be used pursuant to the conditions laid down in the applicable Community regulations and in Legislative Order No 293/93.’

Amended text: ‘Regardless of the presentation format, “Carne Mertolenga” must: - Have one of the following wordings on the label: “CARNE MERTOLENGA – DENOMINAÇÃO DE ORIGEM PROTEGIDA” [CARNE MERTOLENGA – PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN] or “CARNE MERTOLENGA DOP” [CARNE MERTOLENGA PDO]; - The control body must also be identified.’

5.5. Other

1. Amendment

Amendment 23: Deletion of the provisions concerning marketing of the product.

Reason: Deletion of provisions that are superfluous or which are not in line with the legislation.

Original text ‘Marketing. The type of marketing adopted must be defined by Mertolenga, Lda. and may take the following forms: direct sales by Mertocar, Lda; sale by other commercial undertakings regulated by a protocol. Protocols signed with other commercial undertakings must define the rules that apply to the presentation, conservation and sale of products in accordance with this product specification.’

Amended text: (deleted).

2. Amendment

Amendment 24: Update on information on the inspection body (point 7 of the product specification)

Reason: This amendment is justified by the fact that the competent authority has appointed another entity as the control and certification body for ‘Carne Mertolenga’.

A number of factors were taken into account when proposing this amendment.

First of all, the information on the control body may go out of date quickly (due to the appointment being withdrawn, loss of accreditation, change of address, etc.).

Secondly, this chapter in the product specification does not have regulatory status. According to the applicable legislation on official inspections, this product is inspected by the control body to which the competent authority delegates this responsibility, regardless of what the product specification says about the matter. The fact that this chapter is not regulatory in nature means updating it is less relevant for producers and therefore they only tend to ask for it to be updated when it is necessary to amend other aspects of the product specification as well. That is the reason why this chapter, when outdated, tends to be left for a long time without being updated. In fact, the text concerning the control body in the current product specification has been out of date for over eighteen years without the producers having felt the need to request an update (given that the product continued to be inspected under the terms of the applicable legislation).

Thirdly, submitting an application for an amendment to the product specification involves some costs for the group and the producers (time investment, human resource allocation, expenditure on communications, materials consumed, etc.). These costs must be kept to a minimum and therefore the group and producers should not have to incur them every time there is a change in the name of an authority or the address of a control body.

Finally, the name and address of the relevant authorities and control bodies are made publicly available by the European Commission and it is the responsibility of Member States to ensure that this information is always up to date.

Therefore, our understanding is that it is better to include a reference to the place where the name and address of the control body may be found, as this enables compliance with the terms of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 and ensures that the information on the control body is up to date.

Original text: ‘The Associação de Criadores de Bovinos Mertolengos [Association of Mertolenga Breeders], with headquarters at Lg. Alexandre Herculano, no 8, in Évora, is proposed as the private inspection and certification body. This Association is in charge of managing the breeding book for the Mertolenga breed, which means they will be able to quickly and reliably identify the origin of carcasses to be certified. It has qualified personnel and the auxiliary resources that are needed to perform the required inspections.’

Amended text: ‘The competent authority in charge of performing the official controls to verify compliance with the legal requirements of the PGI scheme is the Directorate-General of Agriculture and Rural Development [Direção-Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural - DGADR], which has its registered address at Av. Afonso Costa, n.o 3, 1949-002 Lisbon. The certification check will be performed by the designated control body.’

3. Amendment

Amendment 25: Deletion of the provisions on irregularities and appeal.

Reason: Deletion of provisions concerning the application of sanctions. Responsibility for defining these lies with the competent authority and therefore they should not be included in the product specification.

Original text: ‘Irregularities. Failure to comply with the rules set out in the product specification for the ‘Carne Mertolenga’ PDO designation may mean: 1. A written warning; 2. Temporary suspension of the offending producer; 3. A ban on the use of the certification. The management of MERTOCAR, Lda. will be responsible for assessing the lack of compliance and its severity, once the parties involved have been heard. The decision will be based on the severity of the irregularity detected and repeated infringements will be taken into account. The proceedings will be reported to the private inspection body.

Amended text: (deleted).

Original text: ‘Appeal. Any appeal of a penalty decided by MERTOCAR, Lda. must follow this order of submission: Management; General Assembly; IMAIAA (Institute of Agricultural Markets and the Agrifoods Sector)’

Amended text: (deleted).

4. Amendment

Amendment 26: Replacement of the expression ‘middle of the century’ by ‘the middle of the twentieth century’ (amendments to wording - point 6 of the product specification)

Reason: The reference to the twentieth century was added to the text because the specification was drawn up in the 1990s and we are now in the twenty-first century.

Original text: ‘It was from these areas that it spread throughout the Alentejo and Ribatejo regions in the middle of the century.’

Amended text: ‘It was from these areas that it spread throughout the Alentejo and Ribatejo regions in the middle of the twentieth century.’

5. Amendment

Amendment 27: Deletion of paragraph.

Reason: This paragraph is unnecessary. It is being deleted because it does not fit in with the rest of the text.

Original text: ‘At present and based on a considerable body of applied research, the productivity of Mertolenga cattle is to be commended. Compared to other Portuguese breeds, it is considered the best cattle breed for extensive farming and has therefore been updated and included in the spirit of the new CAP.’

Amended text: (deleted).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

’Carne Mertolenga’

EU No: PDO-PT-0212-AM01 – 1 March 2018

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

’Carne Mertolenga’

2. Member State or Third Country

Portugal

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

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

Meat from animals belonging to the Mertolenga breed, which have been entered in the register of births, born to a bull and cow that have been entered in the breeding book for the Mertolenga cattle breed.

Age brackets:

‘Vitela’ (veal) - animals aged over 6 months and younger than or equal to 10 months at the time of slaughter.

‘Vitelão’ (yearling) - animals aged over 10 months and younger than or equal to 15 months at the time of slaughter.

‘Novilho/ novilha’ (young bull/heifer) - animals aged over 15 months and younger than or equal to 30 months at the time of slaughter.

The carcasses of animals of different age brackets are also eligible for certification.

Carcass classification allowed:

Conformation: In the young bull/heifer age bracket, categories U, R and O are allowed. In other age brackets, categories U, R, O and P are allowed.

Fat: It must be firm, non-exudative and ranging in colour between white and yellow. Category 4 carcasses can only be certified when they are going to be butchered. Category 5 carcasses are excluded.

Colour: Dark pink to dark red.

pH: less than 6.

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

The animals are bred in extensive farming with a stocking density of under 1.4 LU/ha.

Calves feed on their mothers’ milk until they are 6-9 months old and graze along with their mothers. Extensive farming is maintained after weaning, with calves following a similar diet to that of their mothers.

The flocks generally feed on pastures (natural or improved), straw, hay/silage, second-cut hay and acorns. If necessary, the animals’ diet may be supplemented with products sourced from the same or other farms, or with compound feed.

Animals are reared in extensive farming and finishing may be based on products sourced from the same or other farms, or on compound feed.

If there is a need to use feed which is not from the farm so as to ensure, for instance, the animals’ continued well-being or ongoing compliance with the specifications of another quality (such as organic production) or certification scheme, producers should favour the use of feed from other farms located within the geographical area. If that is not feasible, animal feed sourced from outside the geographical area may be used, as long as it does not exceed 50 % of the dry matter on an annual basis, and provided that the essential characteristics of the meat as specified in the product description are not affected.

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

Birth, rearing and slaughter.

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

‘Carne Mertolenga’ can be presented for sale in the form of a carcass, half-carcass, quarter-carcass or as vacuum-packed cuts, trays or prepared meats. The freezing/deep freezing of carcasses, half-carcasses or quarter-carcasses is prohibited. It is allowed for cuts that are vacuum-packed or packaged in other presentation formats.

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

Regardless of the presentation format, ‘Carne Mertolenga’ must:

— Have one of the following wordings on the label: ‘Carne Mertolenga – Denominação de Origem Protegida’ [Carne Mertolenga – Protected Designation of Origin] or ‘Carne Mertolenga DOP’ [Carne Mertolenga PDO];

— The control body must also be identified.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

Districts of Portalegre, Santarém, Évora, Beja and Setúbal.

5. Link with the geographical area

The ‘Carne Mertolenga’ geographical area is characterised by its Mediterranean climate, with annual rainfall ranging between 450 and 800 l/m2 mostly concentrated in autumn and winter. The summers are hot and dry. These climate conditions are largely responsible for the predominance in this area of extensive livestock farms, most of which include cork oak and holm oak groves.

These conditions have driven the development in the region of the Mertolenga cattle breed, well known for its hardiness, longevity and frugality. Also noteworthy are its high degree of fertility, its reproductive longevity and its ability to transform the coarsest feed into high-quality meat. There are four places where this breed is said to originate: the municipality of Barrancos and the poorest areas of Serpa and Beja, Vale do Sado and Vale do Sorraia. In the distant past, the term ‘mertolengo’ was used to describe the type of cattle that was well suited on account of its small stature and hardiness to the rough land of Mértola and Alcoutim with its hilly, rather undulating terrain with limited fodder. It was from these areas that the breed spread throughout the Alentejo and Ribatejo regions.

These cattle are fed on a diet based on natural or enhanced pastures, acorns and the stubble of cereal crops. Other types of feed are normally only used in situations of extreme fodder shortage. Given that feed is only abundant in spring and that it is almost always qualitatively deficient, the extraordinary way these cattle adapt to frequent shortages is crucial for ensuring their survival in the region of production. In some cases they are considered the only possible livestock option.

The conditions in the region of production mean that the animals are reared in an extensive system (a stocking density of under 1.4 LU/ha), making use of the holm oak grasslands which are typical of the region. This system of production, together with the characteristics of the breed itself, leads to animals that are small to medium in size, with carcasses that are relatively light for their age at the time of slaughter and which do not have much internal or external fat. These carcasses are proportionately small in size with firm, non-exudative fat. Their colouring ranges from white to yellow, and the meat varies from dark pink to dark red.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

https://www.dgadr.gov.pt/images/docs/val/dop_igp_etg/Valor/CE_Carne_Mertolenga.pdf

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