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

(2003/C 212/03)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognised in accordance with Article 12(3) 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: IG/19/96

1. Responsible department in the Member State Name: Ministère de l'agriculture de l'alimentation, de la pêche et des affaires rurales

Direction des politiques économique et internationale

Bureau des signes de qualité et de l'agriculture biologique

Address: 3, rue Barbet-de-Jouy - F-75349 Paris 07 SP

Tel. (33-1) 49 55 58 59

Fax (33-1) 49 55 57 85.

2. Applicant group 2.1. Name: Syndicat Interprofessionnel du Melon du Quercy

2.2. Address: 29, avenue du Général de Gaulle - F-46170 Castelnau-Montratier

2.3. Composition: Producer/fruit packing station (x) other ( ).

3. Type of product: Chapter 8, "Edible fruit and nuts; peel of melons or citrus fruit", on the list referred to in Article 39 of the EC Treaty.

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

4.1. Name: Melon du Quercy

4.2. Description: Melon with smooth or netted grey/green to yellow peel and orange flesh. Weight: from 450 g to 1300 g and above.

4.3. Geographical area: The Melon du Quercy PGI area includes:

The following cantons:

- In Tarn et Garonne: Bourg de Visa, Caussade, Lafrançaise, Lauzerte, Moissac, Molières, Montaigu de Quercy, Montpezat de Quercy, Monclar de Quercy, Négrepolisse, Villebrumier, Montauban.

- In Lot: Castelnau-Montratier, Montcuq, Lalbenque.

- In Lot et Garonne: Tournon, Penne, Beauville, Puymirol.

The communes in the following cantons:

- In Tarn et Garonne:

- Canton de Caylus: Mouillac.

- Canton de Valence d'Agen: Castelsagrat, Goudouville, Saint-Clair, Gasque, Montjoi, Pommevic, Valence d'Agen.

- In Lot:

- Canton de Limogne: Concots.

- Canton de Luzech: Carnac Rouffiac, Villesèque, Sauzet.

- Canton de Puy l'Évêque: Lacapelle Cabanac, Sérignac, Mauroux.

4.4. Proof of origin: Melon du Quercy has been produced in Quercy since the XVIth century. In 1930, production received a boost when the area planted was increased and the melon appeared on local markets. Production again increased between 1940 and 1945. Since 1960, the availability of transport has permitted further production growth. Melon du Quercy now has a confirmed reputation and the range of marks used in itself shows the importance of the link between the product and the area.

At the beginning of each marketing year, experts approved by the Certifying Body authorise each grower's parcels (geographical area and eligible land). Each parcel is entered in the Melon du Quercy cultivation register: commune, section, land register references, area in ares.

A copy of the information is kept in the grower's cultivation register, a copy sent to the fruit packing station and another to the "Syndicat Interprofessionnel du Melon du Quercy".

For each lot delivered to the packing station, the name of the grower, the variety and the parcels are identified and recorded. The packing station puts together lots from several growers. Certified lots are separated from non-certified lots on entry into the packing station and are packed, labelled and marketed separately.

4.5. Method of production: The melons are grown from selected varieties. They are harvested when fully ripe and, if possible, before 1 p.m. every day. They are then placed in a single layer on wooden trays or in plastic crates, closely packed but not crushed together.

After harvesting, the melons are placed under cover to protect them from the sun and any bad weather and transported to the packing station the same day. The melons are then checked and approved on the basis of their appearance and sugar content. They are sorted, graded and packed in trays on cellular trays and/or in paper depending on their weight and colour.

4.6. Link: What makes Quercy suited to melon growing are its soil and its climate. The alternance of ocean (cool and wet) and Mediterranean (hot and dry) influences typical of its climate produces large temperature ranges on a daily basis, providing the plant with ideal growing conditions (temperature and moisture).

Another factor is the limy-clayey soil. The clay is basically of illite and montmorillonite, which retain potassium, thus regulating the plant's uptake of the mineral. This gives the melon a particular perfume and unique characteristics. The soil retains water well, ensuring that the plant receives a regular supply.

4.7. Inspection body Name: QUALISUD

Address: BP 102 "Agropole" - F-47000 Agen

4.8. Labelling - Product name: Melon du Quercy.

- Certified characteristics: Grown in Quercy, harvested fully ripe.

- Name and address of certifying body: -

4.9. National requirements: -

EC No: G/FR/00086/99.03.12.

Date of receipt of the full application: 17 April 2003.