EN Official Journal of the European Union C 376/8

Publication of an amendment 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

2012/C 376/08

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

AMENDMENT APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9

‘SIERRA DE CÁDIZ’

EC No: ES-PDO-0105-0219-10.03.2011

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment:

—  Name — ☒ Description — ☒ Geographical area — ☒ Proof of origin: — ☒ Production method —  Link — ☒ Labelling — ☒ National requirements — ☒ Other (to be specified)

2. Type of change:

— ☒ Amendment to Single Document or Summary Sheet —  Amendment to Specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the Single Document nor the Summary has been published —  Amendment to Specification that requires no amendment to the published Single Document (Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006) —  Temporary amendment to specification resulting from imposition of obligatory sanitary or phytosanitary measures by public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006).

3. Modifications:

3.1. Point A: Name:

There is no change to the name of the product, only the way it is described. The phrase ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ (PDO) is removed, leaving only the name ‘Sierra de Cádiz’, thus adhering to the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006.

3.2. Point B: Description:

The organoleptic description of the oil is brought into line with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2568/91 of 11 July 1991 as subsequently amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 640/2008 of 4 July 2008. Thus the organoleptic score of 6,7 points is deleted as it does not follow the rules in force. A description is given of its bitter and spicy qualities in accordance with the above Regulations.

The description of the varieties is also removed since this passage was incomplete; the full technical description of the varieties can be found in other documents.

3.3. Point C: Geographical area:

Three bordering municipalities are brought into the current area.

The application to include these three municipalities bordering the current area is based on the fact that they make up a homogeneous whole with the other municipalities as regards the varieties used and the olive cultivation and olive oil production techniques; as well as, inter alia, climatic, geological, and edaphological factors, which result in the oil produced there having the same characteristics as those protected by the PDO ‘Sierra de Cádiz’.

The three municipalities are: Puerto Serrano, in the province of Cádiz and Algámitas and Villanueva de San Juan, in the province of Seville.

The area under production is deleted since this is a figure that can change over time.

3.4. Point D: Proof that the product has originated in the area:

It is proposed that the wording of this point be amended as follows:

‘All appropriate action will be taken both to guarantee the quality and origin of the product which it covers, and to verify these specifications.

Olive farms, oil mills and bottling/marketing plants wishing to include their products in the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) “Sierra de Cádiz” must be located in the area of production and have been included in the relevant register of the PDO management body. The registers are:

— Register of olive farms;

— Register of olive mills; and

— Register of bottling/marketing plants.

In order to check the origin and the other requirements set out in these specifications, the bottled product together with a back label — supplied by the PDO management body in a non-discriminatory way to producers in the geographical area described in paragraph C “Location and delimitation of the area” of the Specification, will be sent to packagers complying with the terms of reference, under the rules in force.

In order to ensure traceability of the product, bulk shipments of olive oil covered by the “Sierra de Cádiz” PDO must be accompanied by a document identifying the shipper, carrier, recipient, product description, unique reference number, certificate, product quantity, date of shipping, place of delivery and the competent authority where the bulk product was packed.’

Reason: The wording of paragraph D of the specifications is altered to reflect the rules in force.

3.5. Point E: Production method:

Cultivation techniques:

The practices of semi-tilling and non-tilling are included.

Reason: These are common practices in olive groves and do not affect the quality of the product.

The following sentence is deleted: ‘The total absence of non-tilling is highlighted.’

Reason: As mentioned above, the practice of non-tilling is also to be found.

Stages in the production process:

Milling:

The following sentence is deleted: ‘This is usually done in a hammer mill.’

Reason: Milling can be done using various systems, depending on the needs of the mill and the equipment available, provided that the system used does not compromise the quality of the oil mentioned in the specifications.

Separation of the solid and liquid phases:

In the sentence: ‘This is usually done by centrifugation of the olive paste …’

The word ‘usually’ is deleted.

Reason: The separation of the solid and liquid phases is done by means of centrifugation.

The three-phase system is deleted.

Reason: This is a system that is no longer practised.

Separation of the liquid phases:

The mixed phase is deleted.

Reason: This is an old system that is no longer practised.

Packaging and storage:

In the sentence: ‘Companies operating under the Protected Designation of Origin “Sierra de Cádiz” in most cases use stainless steel storage tanks.’

The phrase ‘in most cases’ is deleted.

Reason: Stainless steel tanks will be the only storage devices permitted.

The requirement of packaging in glass bottles only is deleted, which means that packages authorised by and under the technical health legislation in force may be used.

3.6. Point F: Link between quality and the environment:

The title of this point is amended to bring it into line with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006.

3.7. Point G: Inspection body:

The following wording is proposed:

‘G: Checks on compliance with the specifications The check on compliance with the specifications before the product is placed on the market is made in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006. The competent inspection body is the Directorate-General for Industry and Agri-food Quality of Andalusia’s regional Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries — C/ Tabladilla, s/n, 41071 Seville, España, Tel.: +34 955032278, Fax: +34 955032112, E-mail: dgipa.cap@juntadeandalucia.es Information on the bodies tasked with checking compliance with the requirements set out in the specifications may be found at the following address: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal/areas-tematicas/industrias-agroalimentarias/calidad-y-promocion-agroalimentaria/denominaciones-de-calidad/aceite-de-oliva.html The specific functions will depend on checks made on compliance with the specifications before the product is placed on the market.’

Reason: The reference to the Regulatory Council is deleted since the check on compliance with the specifications is made by the competent authority and the address of a web page is given belonging to this authority to allow checks on progress.

3.8. Point H: Specific labelling details:

In the text below:

‘The following words must be included on the main and back labels: Protected Designation of Origin “Sierra de Cádiz” ’

The term ‘words’ is replaced by ‘indication’, so as to bring it into line with the terminology used in Regulation (EC) No 510/2006; ‘Sierra de Cádiz’ has also been removed

The following words have also been added:

‘or the Community symbol and the designation “Sierra de Cádiz”.’

The sentence now reads:

‘The following indication must be included on the main and back labels: “Protected Designation of Origin” or the Community symbol and the designation “Sierra de Cádiz”.’

Reason: To bring it into line with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006.

The wording is amended to read as follows:

When the labels are checked and registered, the designation’s management body will take good care that the name of the protected designation of origin is used properly in connection with individual trademarks of the corresponding products.

The conformity mark (the logo of the designation) may be reproduced by the holder insofar as the colours, size, shape and other requirements specified by the Regulatory Council are respected.

The reference to the Regulation is removed.

3.9. Point I: Legislative requirements:

The legislation that applies to this product will be updated at national and Community level.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘SIERRA DE CÁDIZ’

EC No: ES-PDO-0105-0219-10.03.2011

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Name:

‘Sierra de Cádiz’

2. Member State or Third Country:

Spain

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1. Product type:

Class 1.5. Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oil, etc.)

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

Extra-virgin olive oil from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea Europea L.), of the following varieties: Lechín de Sevilla, Manzanilla, Verdial de Huévar, Verdial de Cádiz, Hojiblanca, Picual, Alameña de Montilla and Arbequina, by mechanical processes or other physical processes that do not lead to deterioration of the oil, conserving the taste, aroma and characteristics of the fruit from which it is obtained.

Physical-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the oil:

— Maximum acidity: 0,6°

— Peroxide value: maximum 18 meq of active oxygen per kg.

— Ultraviolet absorbency (K270): maximum 0,20

— Moisture: maximum 0,1 per cent

— Impurities: maximum 0,1 per cent

The aroma of the oil is of green or ripe olives and a medium to strong fruitiness. It has forest fruit notes and is averagely bitter and spicy, giving a balanced taste.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only):

Olives of the following varieties:

Lechín de Sevilla, Manzanilla, Verdial de Huévar, Verdial de Cádiz, Hojiblanca, Picual, Alameña de Montilla and Arbequina.

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

Not applicable.

3.5. Specific phases in production that must take place in the identified geographical area:

All phases in production, including packaging, must take place within the identified geographical area.

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

Packing at the place of origin is mandatory. This requirement has the clear objective of giving increased protection to the quality and authenticity of the product and, in so doing, safeguarding the reputation of the Protected Designation of Origin. Beneficiaries assume this responsibility fully and as a group; checks made in the area of production and under the responsibility of those benefiting from the Protected Designation of Origin are indeed detailed and systematic, and are carried out by professionals well versed in the characteristics of the product. The checks needed to guarantee the product could not effectively be carried out outside the area of production.

There are different types of packing permitted under current technical and health rules.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:

The Regulatory Council is responsible for authorising use of labels containing the trademark which must include the words: ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ or the Community symbol and the designation ‘Sierra de Cádiz’.

The Regulatory Council will issue back labels in accordance with the volume of oil meeting requirements.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area:

The area of production is situated in the north-east of the province of Cádiz and comprises eight municipalities in that province: Alcalá del Valle, Algodonales, Olvera, El Gastor, Setenil de las Bodegas, Torrealháquime, Puerto Serrano and Zahara de la Sierra, all of which are in the Sierra de Cádiz district, and the following four municipalities of the province of Seville: Algámitas, Coripe, Pruna and Villanueva de San Juan.

5. Link with the geographical area:

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:

The area of production of the olives intended for the production of these protected olive oils lies between the Lijar and Algodonales mountain ranges, hemmed in by the Grazalema range in the south-west and the Terril range in the north-east.

The district is also close to the Sierra de Grazalema nature park. Two of the municipalities covered by this Designation of Origin, Zahara de la Sierra and El Gastor, are located in this nature park which gives a clear idea of the natural and geographical environment that is involved here. Also evident are the particular environmental characteristics of the area and particularly the rugged nature of the land already given over to olive groves.

The geographical area coincides with a natural sub-region within the Sierra de Cádiz region. The reason is the particular orography and climate found in this sub-region which, taken together with the soil types, means that the cultivation of olive groves is widespread in this area.

In fact this is the most important crop in the area and has an exceptionally strong link with the way of life of these municipalities, which is not the case in other parts of the Sierra de Cádiz, where olive groves do exist but not in significant numbers or in any specific place.

Main features:

— Slopes of above 20 % are present in 38 % of the area.

— 90 % of the land lies above 500 meters.

— Rainfall is in excess of 600 litres per year.

— Continental climate.

5.2. Specificity of the product:

The specific nature of the olive oil produced in mills across the Sierra de Cádiz is due to the mix of varieties of olive trees present in the area. The clear leader is the Lechín variety. In order of importance in terms of tree numbers the varieties are: Lechín de Sevilla, Manzanilla, Verdial de Huévar, Verdial de Cádiz, Hojiblanca, Picual, Alameña de Montilla and Arbequina.

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 Sierra de Cádiz is a highly traditional olive-growing area and the most typical in Cádiz province. It is located in the north-east of the province of Cádiz where it meets the province of Seville and is hemmed in by the Lijar and Algodonales mountain ranges to the south-east and also the Sierra del Terril, which is in the province of Seville. The area is marked by its altitude (1 800 meters) which influences its climate, which is much colder that that of the coast and has rainfall of around 600 mm.

The Lechín variety is typically strong and suits limestone soils which are predominant in this highland area. It produces quite a lot of early-maturing olives and is susceptible to the alternate-bearing phenomenon (alternate years of abundant and meagre crops). This variety is the basis of the olive oil protected by the designation, mixed with the other varieties. This gives these olive oils their own personality that marks them out from the rest.

From an organoleptic standpoint the oil in question has an average to intense fruity aroma of green or mature olives with forest-fruit notes and a slightly bitter, spicy taste. The result is very balanced due to the wide range of varieties that are used in production.

Reference to the publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

The full text of the product specification is available at:

http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal/export/sites/default/comun/galerias/galeriaDescargas/cap/industrias-agroalimentarias/denominacion-de-origen/Pliegos/PliegoSierradeCadizmodificado.pdf

or

by going directly to the start page of the website of the Region’s Agriculture and Fisheries Department (http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal), clicking on the following buttons: ‘Industrias Agroalimentarias’ > ‘Calidad y Promoción’ > ‘Denominaciones de Calidad’ > ‘Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra’; the specifications are located under the name of the Quality Designation.

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.