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 272/08)

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

‘CEREZAS DE LA MONTAÑA DE ALICANTE’

EU No: PGI-ES-0099-AM03 - 13. 8.2020

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Regulatory Council for the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’

Carretera Albaida-Denia, s/n 03788 Alpatró – La Vall de Gallinera Alicante ESPAÑA

Consell Decree 222/2007 of 9 November 2007, laying down rules concerning the Regulatory Councils or Management Bodies for the Autonomous Community of Valencia’s quality designations, governs the organisational, operational and legal rules which the Regulatory Councils must comply with.

Specifically, Article 4 of the Decree indicates that ‘The structure and functioning of the Regulatory Councils or Management Bodies must be based on democratic principles, applying at all times the principles of equal representation of the sectors, representing the economic interests of the joined-up sectors, and respecting the autonomy of the management and organisation of the electoral processes for their decision-making bodies.’

In conjunction with the above, Article 6 of the Decree governs the purpose and functions of the Regulatory Councils or Management Bodies, including proposals of rules and the establishment of technical standards and their possible amendments, taking account of quality criteria, scrutiny and tradition.

This body represents all of the sectors concerned. In this respect, Article 7(2) of Decree 222/2007 indicates that the plenary must be formed of members elected through an electoral process from those listed in the different registers of the management body, and of technical members designated by the competent regional ministry.

Nevertheless, the aforementioned legislation confirms the legitimate interest of the Regulatory Council for the PGI for requesting the amendment, since it is made up of all operators involved in the production of this protected product.

2. Member State or Third Country

Spain

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 [to be specified]

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. AMENDMENT 1: Addition of a new name to the product

Amendment 1 consists of adding a new name to the product: ‘Cireres de la Muntanya d’Alacant’.

Reason: As the joint official languages of the Autonomous Community of Valencia are Castilian and Valencian, we have requested that the name of the protected product appear in both languages.

Article 3 of the Spanish Constitution states that ‘Castilian is the official language of the State’, and also provides that the other languages of the State ‘shall also be official in the respective Autonomous Communities in accordance with their Statutes’.

Article 6 of Valencia’s Statute of Autonomy declares firstly that Valencian has official language status throughout the Community of Valencia, alongside Castilian, and that citizens therefore have the right ‘to know it and use it’, and secondly that Valencian is considered the native language of the Community of Valencia. On top of this, Law 4/1983 of 23 November 1983 on the use and teaching of Valencian establishes the right of Valencians to know and use Valencian ‘in speech and in writing both in private relations and in relations with public authorities’.

The Academia Valenciana de la Llengua has established that names in Valencian be included when we apply for a new amendment. As mentioned above, Valencian is an official language in the Autonomous Community of Valencia. Furthermore, the protected area is one where Valencian is spoken and where this language is used in business relations.

Section affected by amendment 1

— Product specification: A) Product name, F) Link with the area, H) Labelling.

— Single document: Name, Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to.

Text currently registered (The text is the same in the product specification and the single document)

— (A) Name of product

— GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION ‘CEREZAS DE LA MONTAÑA DE ALICANTE’

— (F) Link with the area. 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 link between the cherry and the geographical area is based on the reputation of the ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’. This reputation is due to the organoleptic characteristics of the fruit and its economic and gastronomic importance, as well as its importance as an integral element in the area’s landscape. (...)

— (H) Labelling

— The wording or labels identifying the PGI cherries ‘Montaña de Alicante’ must include the words ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ and ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’.

— The product must also carry a conformity mark known as a secondary label, identified by an alphanumeric code, to be affixed by the packing plant in such a way that it cannot be reused and permitting traceability to be guaranteed. In addition to the official European symbol for protected geographical indications, some secondary labels must include the words ‘Indicación Geográfica Protegida Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ and its dedicated logo, which is reproduced below.

Proposed new next

— (A) Name of product:

— GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION ‘CEREZAS DE LA MONTAÑA DE ALICANTE’/‘CIRERES DE LA MUNTANYA D’ALACANT’

— (F) Link with the area. 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 link between the cherry and the geographical area is based on the reputation of the ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’/‘Cireres Muntanya d’Alacant’. This reputation is due to the organoleptic characteristics of the fruit and its economic and gastronomic importance, as well as its importance as an integral element in the area’s landscape. (…)

— (H) Labelling

— The wording or labels identifying the PGI cherries ‘Montaña de Alicante’ must include the words ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ in Spanish or Valencian and ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ or ‘Cireres de la Muntanya d’Alacant’.

— The product must also carry a conformity mark known as a secondary label, identified by an alphanumeric code, to be affixed by the packing plant in such a way that it cannot be reused and permitting traceability to be guaranteed.

— In addition to the official European symbol for protected geographical indications, some secondary labels must include the words ‘Indicación Geográfica Protegida Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ and its dedicated logo, which is reproduced below.

5.2. AMENDMENT 2: Introduction of new varieties suitable for inclusion

Introduction of new varieties suitable for inclusion under the Protected Geographical Indication.

Reason: Currently, the Nimba, Frisco, Santina, Lapins, 4-84 and Sonata variety plantations can be found in much of the territory registered with the Regulatory Council for the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’, since over the years they have become established as alternatives to certain varieties that are already protected. This has occurred because these are varieties with an excellent production rate, a good size and appearance, resistance to cracking, a good post-harvest shelf life and which stand up well to being transported, etc., which makes them consistent with the varieties (qualities of sweetness, colour, firmness) already protected by the Regulatory Council for the PGI and allow producers to have the cherries on offer for a longer period during the year.

The characteristics of these varieties constitute a major step forward, since they are mostly self-fertile and do not require pollination from other varieties, while they pollinate varieties already protected by the Regulatory Council for the PGI, thereby increasing the volume of estimated production.

In addition, a large number of holdings grow these varieties, and it is expected that they will become increasingly established in the area over the coming years.

Description of the new varieties

— ‘Nimba’: A very early variety. Reaches maturity with a dark red diameter. It is kidney-shaped, medium-sized and has good firmness. In rainy areas it is highly advisable to install a cover. The average size is 30 mm.

— ‘Frisco’: A mid-season variety. When it reaches maturity, it is characterised by its attractive garnet colour. It is kidney-shaped, medium-long and with a good thickness. Its pulp is red and it has good firmness and average resistance to cracking. Its good post-harvest shelf life makes it a cherry suitable for export. Its average size is 28-30 mm.

— ‘Santina’: An early variety, characterised by its garnet-colour skin, which can also be red or black. It is cordate-shaped or heart-shaped and medium-long. It has a medium consistency and is suitable for medium-length sea voyages. Its average size is 28 mm.

— ‘Lapins’: A late variety, characterised by its dark red skin. It has a slightly elongated form and the flesh is red. It is a firm cherry with an average size of 27-28 mm.

— ‘4-84’: A late, kidney-shaped variety with dark red skin. Its flesh is red. It is a firm cherry with an average size of 27-28 mm.

— ‘Sonata’: A late, round-shaped variety. Its skin is garnet-coloured and its flesh is red. It has good firmness, which is why it has a longer post-harvest shelf life and stands up well to being transported. Its size is 29-30 mm.

Section affected by amendment 2

— Product specification: ‘(B) Description of product.

— Single document: Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff. Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies.

Text currently registered

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

The varieties suitable for inclusion under the Protected Geographical Indication shall be solely the following:

Main varieties: ‘Burlat’, ‘Picota’, ‘Picota Ambrunes’, ‘Early Lory’, ‘Prime Giant’, ‘Sweet Heart’, ‘Brooks’.

Pollinator varieties: ‘Stark Hardy Giant’, ‘Bing’ and ‘Van’

The characteristics common to all these varieties are:

— A high sugar content, exceeding 11 oBrix.

— The fruit is averagely prone to splitting.

— Stalk of average length, retaining a good condition after harvest.

— Uniformly round in shape and with an intense shine.

— The skin is carmine-red to bright-red in colour and is smooth and uniform.

— Consistently juicy flesh with a pink to red-wine colour.

— Balanced taste with a firm consistency.

— The stone is average-sized, round but slightly tapered; it is white and very hard.

— It is suited to being grown in the area covered by the PGI ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’.

— It is sufficiently resistant to handling, transport and packing.

The average size of the varieties included is:

— Burlat: 27-28 mm

— Stark Hardy Giant: 26-28 mm

— Van: 26-28 mm

— Bing: 24-28 mm

— Picota: 22-24 mm

— Picota Ambrunes: 23-25 mm

— Early Lory: 28-30 mm

— Prime Giant: 27-32 mm

— Sweet Heart: 26-28 mm

— Brooks: 27-28 mm

Proposed new next

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

The varieties suitable for inclusion under the Protected Geographical Indication shall be solely the following:

Main varieties: ‘Burlat’, ‘Picota’, ‘Picota Ambrunes’, ‘Early Lory’, ‘Prime Giant’, ‘Sweet Heart’, ‘Brooks’, “Nimba”, “Frisco”, “Santina”, “Lapins’, ‘4-84’ and ‘Sonata’.

Pollinator varieties: ‘Stark Hardy Giant’, ‘Bing’ and ‘Van’

The characteristics common to all these varieties are:

— A high sugar content, exceeding 11 oBrix.

— The fruit is averagely prone to splitting.

— Stalk of average length, retaining a good condition after harvest.

— Uniformly round in shape and with an intense shine.

— The skin is carmine-red to bright-red in colour and is smooth and uniform.

— Consistently juicy flesh with a pink to red-wine colour.

— Balanced taste with a firm consistency.

— The stone is average-sized, round but slightly tapered; it is white and very hard.

— It is suited to being grown in the area covered by the PGI ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’.

— It is sufficiently resistant to handling, transport and packing.

The average size of the varieties included is:

— Burlat: 27-28 mm

— Stark Hardy Giant: 26-28 mm

— Van: 26-28 mm

— Bing: 24-28 mm

— Picota: 22-24 mm

— Picota Ambrunes: 23-25 mm

— Early Lory: 28-30 mm

— Prime Giant: 27-32 mm

— Sweet Heart: 26-28 mm

— Brooks: 27-28 mm

— Nimba: 28-30 mm

— Frisco: 28-30 mm

— Santina: 28 mm

— Lapins: 27-28 mm

— 4-84: 27-28 mm

— Sonata: 29-30 mm

5.3. AMENDMENT 3: Enlargement of the geographical area

We propose expanding the production area to include the municipalities of Banyeres de Mariola, Benifallim, Facheca, Salinas, Sax and Tárbena.

The cherry production surface area which we propose for the extension constitutes 172 hectares of cherry trees, which is approximately 15 % of the surface area already registered.

The increase in production is estimated at around 15 %.

Reason: All of these municipalities are adjacent to those already registered and have the same climate conditions and soil profile, which are excellent for cherry-growing.

Cherry-growing in these municipalities is on the rise and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

The volumes of production are expected to be sufficient to be able to market these varieties separately, since these are highly productive, young plantations, which are well designed, irrigated and whose facilities dispose of the latest technological developments.

Section affected by amendment 3

— Product specification: ‘(C) Geographical area’.

— Single document: 4. Concise definition of the geographical area.

Text currently registered

— The production zone is located in the north of the province of Alicante and the south of the province of Valencia.

— The production zone comprises land located in the municipalities of: Agres, Alcocer de Planes, Alcoy, Alfafara, Almudaina, Alquería de Aznar, Balones, Beneixama, Beniarrés, Benillup, Benimarfull, Biar, Cañada, Castalla, Cocentaina, Confrides, Cuatretondeta, Gaianes, Gorga, Ibi, Jijona, Lorcha, Millena, Monóvar, Muro de Alcoy, Penáguila, Pinoso, Planes, Tollos, Vall d’Alcalá, Vall d’Ebo, Vall de Gallinera, Vall de Laguart and Villena in the province of Alicante, and Bocairent and Ontinyent in the province of Valencia.

Proposed new next

The production zone is located in the north of the province of Alicante and the south of the province of Valencia.

The production zone comprises land located in the municipalities of: Agres, Alcocer de Planes, Alcoy, Alfafara, Almudaina, Alquería de Aznar, Balones, Banyeres de Mariola, Beneixama, Beniarrés, Benifallim, Benillup, Benimarfull, Biar, Cañada, Castalla, Cocentaina, Confrides, Cuatretondeta, Facheca, Gaianes, Gorga, Ibi, Jijona, Lorcha, Millena, Monóvar, Muro de Alcoy, Penáguila, Pinoso, Planes, Salinas, Sax, Tárbena, Tollos, Vall d’Alcalá, Vall de Ebo, Vall de Gallinera, Vall de Laguart, and Villena in the province of Alicante and Bocairent and Ontinyent in the province of Valencia.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘CEREZAS DE LA MONTAÑA DE ALICANTE’/”CIRERES DE LA MUNTANYA D’ALACANT’

EU No: PGI-ES-0099-AM03 - 13 August 2020

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

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

‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’/ ‘Cireres de la Muntanya d’Alacant’

2. Member State or Third Country

Spain

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product [listed in Annex XI]

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

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

The varieties suitable for inclusion under the Protected Geographical Indication shall be solely the following:

Main varieties: ‘Burlat’, ‘Picota’, ‘Picota Ambrunesa’, ‘Early Lory’, ‘Prime Giant’, ‘Sweet Heart’, ‘Brooks’, ‘Nimba’, ‘Frisco’, ‘Santina’, ‘Lapins’, ‘4-84’ and ‘Sonata’

Pollinator varieties: ‘Stark Hardy Giant’, ‘Bing’ and ‘Van’

The characteristics common to all these varieties are:

— A high sugar content, exceeding 11 oBrix.

— The fruit is averagely prone to splitting.

— Stalk of average length, retaining a good condition after harvest.

— Uniformly round in shape and with an intense shine.

— The skin is carmine-red to bright-red in colour and is fine and uniform.

— Consistently juicy flesh with a pink to red-wine colour.

— Balanced taste with a firm consistency.

— The stone is average-sized, round but slightly tapered; it is white and very hard.

— It is suited to being grown in the area covered by the PGI ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’.

— It is sufficiently resistant to handling, transport and packing.

The average size of the varieties included is:

— Burlat: 27-28 mm

— Stark Hardy Giant: 26-28 mm

— Van: 26-28 mm

— Bing: 24-28 mm

— Picota: 22-24 mm

— Picota Ambrunes: 23-25 mm

— Early Lory: 28-30 mm

— Prime Giant: 27-32 mm

— Sweet Heart: 26-28 mm

— Brooks: 27-28 mm

— Nimba: 28-30 mm

— Frisco: 28-30 mm

— Santina: 28 mm

— Lapins: 27-28 mm

— 4-84: 27-28 mm

— Sonata: 29-30 mm

The cherries of the authorised varieties must have the following quality characteristics:

— Whole

— Healthy

— Clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter

— Free of abnormal external moisture

— Free of any foreign smell and/or taste

The protected cherries must only be from the ‘Extra’ class and Class I according to UNECE standards, and for marketing purposes they are classified as follows:

Class 1: Not less than 21 mm

Extra: Not less than 23 mm

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

—

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

Production and harvesting.

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

—

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

The wording or labels identifying ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ must include the official European symbol for protected geographical indications, together with the words ‘Indicación Geográfica Protegida’ [Protected Geographical Indication] and ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’, or in the region’s co-official language ‘Indicació Geogràfica protegida’ [Protected Geographical Indication] and ‘Cireres de la Muntanya d’Alacant’

A conformity mark, known as a secondary label, must also be included. It is identified by means of an alphanumeric key applied during packaging and subject to checks to ensure that it is not reused and to enable traceability.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The production zone is located in the north of the province of Alicante and the south of the province of Valencia, in the east of Spain.

The production zone comprises land located in the municipalities of: Agres, Alcocer de Planes, Alcoy, Alfafara, Almudaina, Alquería de Aznar, Balones, Banyeres de Mariola, Beneixama, Beniarrés, Benifallim, Benillup, Benimarfull, Biar, Cañada, Castalla, Cocentaina, Confrides, Cuatretondeta, Facheca, Gaianes, Gorga, Ibi, Jijona, Lorcha, Millena, Monóvar, Muro de Alcoy, Penáguila, Pinoso, Planes, Salinas, Sax, Tárbena, Tollos, Vall d’Alcalá, Vall d’Ebo, Vall de Gallinera, Vall de Laguart and Villena in the province of Alicante and Bocairent and Ontinyent in the province of Valencia.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

Natural factors

The production area is one of the most mountainous of the Autonomous Community of Valencia. It lies in the foothills of the Betic sub-chain, with a typically structural relief alternating between anticlines and synclines. This leads to a mountainous terrain with many irregularities.

The soils are characterised by their high calcium carbonate content and the lack of organic material.

The average annual temperature is between 13oC and 15,5oC, with annual average precipitation of 350-650 mm. It is a temperate Mediterranean climate, with colder temperatures and greater precipitation than the rest of the province.

Human factors

Since it is an area in which cherries have traditionally been grown, the farmers’ good growing practices boost the quality of the product. These good traditional growing practices consist of pruning according to a vase-and-palmette training system, ploughing the land, manual harvesting, and selecting the fruit in several harvesting stages when it has the optimum degree of ripeness.

5.2. Specificity of the product

The cherries are characterised by their high level of sweetness (min. 11 oBrix), carmine-red-to-bright-red colour, and their firm pink to red-wine coloured flesh. They have a spherical shape, and are generally small and pointed at the bottom.

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 link between the cherry and the geographical area is based on the reputation of the ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’. This reputation is due to the organoleptic characteristics of the fruit and its economic and gastronomic importance, as well as its importance as an integral element in the area’s landscape.

The protected area is characterised by a very pronounced, mountainous and irregular terrain. The farms are small, and often located on terraces carved out of the slopes of the mountain, allowing for only one line of trees, which gives this region its very distinct appearance. The temperatures are slightly lower than usual for places so close to the Mediterranean Sea.

These factors considerably limit the crop in the area, and the cherry has been present for decades, thus forming a unique landscape, especially when the crop is in flower.

The know-how of producers in the region, combined with years of experience, have developed appropriate growing techniques for the successful production of cherries in these areas with their frequent frosts, drought and rugged relief.

It is for this reason that the processing of the cherries is primarily artisanal, from harvesting and selection to packaging.

The resulting product is a cherry with a high degree of sweetness, pink to red-wine coloured flesh, and a spherical shape.

The reputation of ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ is supported by the Cherry Festival, which is held every year in springtime. It features various talks, competitions and activities to do with cherries. There is a gastronomic trail around the various bars and restaurants of the area that make main courses and desserts from cherries, the area’s most characteristic and authentic product. There are also study visits to cherry fields, where cherry growing is explained, and to packaging plants, to show the handling process.

In recent years, the tradition of growing in the area has led to various agro-tourism trails, in which the uniqueness of the cherry-influenced environment is promoted.

The influence of ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ has extended to gastronomy, so that for many years now, there have been recipes in which this fruit is used, e.g. the recipe from 1992 based on ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’, called ‘Pure Temptation’.

The origins of cherry cultivation in the area go back to the 16th century. Today, ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ are still the economic engine of this area as regards agricultural production.

In short, ‘Cerezas de la Montaña de Alicante’ is a product that has specific organoleptic qualities (sweet and intense flavour), and a proven reputation, which transcends the strictly agricultural, extending to gastronomy, the landscape and culture.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

http://www.agroambient.gva.es/va/web/desarrollo-rural/consejos-reguladores/-/asset_publisher/BadTUeVQO5DX/content/i-g-p-cerezas-de-la-montana-de-alicante?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agroambient.gva.es%2Fca%2Fweb%2Fdesarrollo-rural%2Fconsejos-reguladores%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_BadTUeVQO5DX%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-2%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D4

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