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

(2002/C 120/05)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the Member State concerned 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 ( ) PGI (x)

National application No: EL-04/00-5

1. Responsible department in the Member State Name: Δ/νση ΠΑΠ - Φυτών Μεγάλης Καλλιέργειας

(Directorate for Field Crop Production and Exploitation)

Address: Μενάνδρου 22, GR-105 52 Αθήνα ΤΚ

(Menandrou 22, GR-105 52 Athens)

Tel. (30-10) 212 51 19 kai (30-10) 212 51 21

Fax (30-10) 524 51 95.

2. Applicant group 2.1. Name: "Αγροτική Καστοριάς ΑΕ" με διακριτικό τίτλο "Agroka SA"

(Agrotiki Kastorias AE (business name: Agroka SA)

2.2. Address: Οικισμός Λακκωμάτων - Δήμου Ορεστίδος Ν. Καστοριάς

(Lakkomata, Orestida, Prefecture of Kastoria)

2.3. Composition: Producers/processors (x) other ( ).

With 212 members bean-growers of the Prefecture of Kastoria from all areas growing the product (memorandum of association No 65/7.4.97) who hold 65 % by value of the shares. The remaining 35 % is a contribution of the then Commune of Lakkomata, now a constituent part of the Municipality of Orestida. The company's structure is governed by Article 2 of PD 410/95 (GG321).

3. Type of product: Class 1.6.

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

4.1. Name: Φασόλια Γίγαντες - Ελέφαντες Καστοριάς (Fasolia Gigantes - Elefantes Kastorias)

4.2. Description: Beans are annual climbing plants with long slender stems and compound leaves reaching a final height of more than 2 metres. They belong to the Papilionaceae family (legumes). The Phaseolus genus contains 250 species. The varieties grown in the Prefecture of Kastoria belong to the species Phaseolus coccineus (multiflorus).

- The symbiotic association of the nitrogen-fixing Bacterium radicola with the fleshy nodular roots permits absorption of up to 40 kg/ha of atmospheric nitrogen.

- The stem is slender, pliant and cylindrical and twines continuously from left to right.

- The compound leaves consist of three leaflets.

- The flowers comprise a five-part calyx, a five-part white corolla, 10 stamens and a pistil. They are produced in large axillary clusters opening successively from the base to the tip of the plant.

- The elephant/giant beans are cross-pollinated plants.

- The fruit is a white kidney-shaped pod. A legume of large size, it is consumed cooked in the oven or stewed with added plant products (oil, onion, tomato, celery, carrot) that complete the "Mediterranean character" of the dish.

Nutritional value is very high, it is an excellent source of protein, starch, iron, etc. and has a low fat content.

Under Joint Decision No 37227/25.9.87 of the Ministers for Agriculture and Trade (GG 541/B/9-10-87) the following definitions and tolerances apply:

1. Elephant beans: Minimum weight per 1000 beans 1800 grams or 90 % of the beans unable to pass through a sieve with 13 mm diameter round holes.

2. Giant beans: Weight per 1000 beans 1200 to 1800 grams or 90 % of the beans able to pass through a sieve with 13 mm diameter round holes but not one with 12 mm diameter round holes.

3. In the pre-packed beans:

(a) broken beans less than half the whole bean in size: up to 2 %;

(b) shrivelled/discoloured beans: up to 0,5 %;

(c) foreign matter: up to 0,05 % (maximum earth 0,02 %).

4.3. Geographical area: Bean cultivation in the Prefecture of Kastoria is located on the banks of the River Aliakmonas and its tributaries and in areas where land consolidation has occurred that have organised irrigation networks guaranteeing supply of the abundant water that cultivation requires. Of secondary importance is cultivation on the banks of Lake Kastoria.

About 900 ha of ground within the cultivation zone is used to grow Kastoria elephants/giants. The zone's altitude ranges from 630 to 900 metres. The soils are alluvial, light, free draining and on the whole slightly acid.

The climate of the cultivation zone is continental with cool summers owing to its altitude and proximity to the waters of Lake Kastoria and the River Aliakmonas. In addition the presence of the lake conduces to a mild spring. An average annual rainfall of around 600 mm completes the requirements of the water-loving bean plant.

The "special" climate that conduces to the excellence of the product is however in large measure due to an exceptional phenomenon. The whole area is an extensive plateau protected by the Vitsi mountain and the Grammos mountain range. A basin in which even when there are winds they are always light.

The cultivation zone is:

1. the entire municipality of Ion Dragoumis;

2. the entire municipality of Makedna;

3. the entire municipality of Agioi Anarguroi;

4. the entire municipality of Korestia;

5. the entire municipality of Kastoria;

6. the entire municipality of Vitsio;

7. the entire municipality of Aliakmonas;

8. the entire municipality of Agia Triada;

9. part of the municipality of Orestida (formerly municipality of Argos Orestiko and formerly communes of Ammoudara, Asprokklisia, Dialekto, Kastanofito, Lakkomata, Melanthi and Spilea);

10. part of the municipality of Nestori (formerly commune of Ptelea);

11. part of the commune of Kastraki (formerly commune of Dendrokhori).

The actual cultivation areas adjoin one another.

4.4. Proof of origin: Beans originated in southern Mexico and central America. According to radioactive carbon studies Phaseolus coccineus (multiflorus) was domesticated in Mexico around 2000 BC It is believed that beans were brought to Europe in the middle of the 16th century, first to England and Spain, and reached Greece at the end of that century. They first appeared around lowland urban centres but given their physiology cultivation quickly spread to remote upland areas. One of these is the Prefecture of Kastoria, where ideal soil, ideal climate and excellent cultivation techniques cooperate in the creation of varieties and a product that wins the markets. A product that on account of the Greeks' partiality for it and its special place in their diet has been described as a "national food".

Area and cultivation data within the delimited zone recorded under and its accuracy guaranteed by:

(a) the compensatory allowance scheme;

(b) the integrated control system for agricultural holdings;

(c) the remote surveillance programme.

All three are regulated by Community legislation and implemented by the Agriculture Directorate.

Control procedures and certification of the product will be carried out by the designated State agencies on the basis of the legislation in force for designated origin and geographical indication products.

The detailed checking will involve chemical analysis by these agencies, which will also exercise a control function in regard to labelling in that they will attest the veracity of the indications compulsory under the national and Community legislation in force (e.g. lot numbering, possible use of the Community symbol, etc.).

In Greece, elephants and giants are the only dried beans with a 1000 bean weight above 1200 grams.

4.5. Method of production 4.5.1. Harvesting: Harvesting of the pods by hand starts at the beginning of September and lasts for up to three months. A crop is taken from the plant up to three times, since ripening of the pods is progressive from the base of the plant to the tip. The pods are spread out on floors for natural drying in the sun to the stage when they separate easily from the seeds on being beaten with pliant rods.

4.5.2. Conservation: The separated seeds are, if necessary, spread out in the sun until they reach the desirable moisture content of around 12 %. They are then sorted through by hand for removal of foreign bodies, broken and damaged seeds and seeds foreign to the variety, put into sacks and stored under hygienic conditions without any particular problem owing to their durable nature.

4.5.3. Market preparation and disposal: At the new grading/packing station of Agrotiki Kastorias, grading and packaging will be done using state of the art machines and methods guaranteeing the select quality of the product.

Polypropylene bags holding 0,5 kg and 1 kg will be filled automatically and then put into 10-20 kg boxes.

The whole procedure is electronically controlled and uses automatic measuring equipment.

Grading involves automatic separation of the product into three size categories as indicated in the application for recognition, following a check on varietal authenticity and cleaning and disinfection using mild procedures (physical separation/Ecogen system).

The product is distributed direct to a network of food shops throughout Greece using the vehicles of Agrotiki Kastorias AE.

The immediate aims are the commercial security of the product, protection of the consumer and also penetration of foreign markets, which will be possible only through the PGI recognition procedure.

4.6. Link: The soil and climate of the area contribute decisively to production of the exceptional elephant/giant beans of Kastoria. The medium-textured slightly acid soil with excellent drainage and the Mediterranean continental climate of the area are harmoniously collaborating factors in production of the beans that have been part of the life of the inhabitants of the area for 300 years.

The cultivation technique applied is a tradition handed down from generation to generation. To grow a product of such excellent quality is not a matter of expedients but of longstanding experience put into practice by growers using their "eye" and their own hands.

In this area bean cultivation is part of the economy and its importance is reflected in tradition, customs and festivals.

- Annual bean fair at Lakkomata.

- Dish of beans served to the guests at the festival on the anniversary of the death of the Macedonian freedom fighter Pavlos Melas at the place bearing his name.

- Bean festivals at various locations at harvest time with associated local cultural and folklore events.

- Events showing the inhabitants' historical and social links with the product.

4.7. Inspection body Name: Νομαρχιακή Αυτοδιοίκηση Καστοριάς

Διεύθυνση Γεωργίας

(Agriculture Directorate, Prefectural Administration of Kastoria)

Address: GR-521 00 Καστορία Διοικητήριο (GR-52100 Kastoria).

4.8. Labelling: It is compulsory for the packaging of the product to carry the indication "Fasolia Gigantes-Elefantes Kastorias PGI" and those specified in Article 4(7) of PD 81/93.

4.9. National requirements: The general provisions of PD 81/93 on PDO and PGI production procedures apply.

EC No: G/EL/00123/2000.04.05.

Date of receipt of the full application: 14 December 2000.