EN Official Journal of the European Union C 51/17

Publication of an amendment application 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

(2018/C 51/07)

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).

APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION THAT 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

‘LIMONE FEMMINELLO DEL GARGANO’

EU No: PGI-IT-0297-AM01 — 5.4.2017

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Consorzio di Tutela dell’Arancia del Gargano IGP e del Limone Femminello del Gargano IGP Via Varano, 11 71012 Rodi Garganico (FG) ITALIA Email: garganoagrumi@pec.it

The association ‘Consorzio di Tutela dell’Arancia del Gargano IGP e del Limone Femminello del Gargano IGP’ is entitled to submit an amendment application pursuant to Article 13(1) of Decree No 12511 of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy of 14 October 2013.

2. Member State or Third Country

Italy

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

— ☐ Product name — ☒ Product description — ☐ Geographical area — ☐ Proof of origin — ☒ Production method — ☐ Link — ☒ Labelling — ☒ Other: [Checks, logo]

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)

Description of product — Article 2 of the product specification

1. ‘The protected geographical indication “Limone Femminello del Gargano” is reserved for “home-grown” or local lemon cultivars of the Femminello Comune variety, which, historically and commercially, is divided into two types: 1. Soft-rind variety (Citrus limonium tenue Riss.), also known also as Lustrino. Peduncle of medium thickness and length, spheroidal fruit shape and pale yellow, particularly smooth and very fine rind. Minimum diameter at the centre 50 mm, weight not less than about 80 g. The flavedo is rich in essential oils and has a very intense aroma; 8-11 segments per fruit. The flesh and juice are lemon yellow with very few seeds; the juice accounts for at least 35 % of the weight of the fruit and has an acidity level of at least 3,5 per 100 ml. 2. Oblong variety (C. limonium oblungum Riss.), commonly known as Fusillo. Peduncle of medium thickness and length, elliptical fruit shape, medium-large size, minimum diameter at the centre 60 mm, weight not less than 100 g; bright lemon yellow rind of medium thickness, more or less smooth. The flavedo is rich in essential oils and has a very intense aroma; 8-11 segments per fruit. The flesh and juice are lemon yellow; the juice accounts for at least 30 % of the weight of the fruit and has an acidity level of at least 3,5 g per 100 ml.’ is amended as follows: ‘The protected geographical indication “Limone Femminello del Gargano” is reserved for traditionally grown cultivars belonging to the Femminello Comune variety, locally known as “Limone nostrale” (“home-grown lemons”). “Limone Femminello del Gargano” fruit vary in shape, size and weight as a result of the various flowering periods in spring and summer/autumn. Their shape varies between typically elliptic/oblong, ovoid and a rounder shape, with a more pronounced umbo in winter fruit. Minimum diameter at the centre 50 mm, weight not less than 80 g; bright lemon yellow rind. The flavedo is thick, very rich in essential oils and has a very intense aroma; 8-11 segments per fruit. Very juicy, yellow-green flesh (the juice accounts for at least 30 % of the weight of the fruit); acidity level above 3,5 gr/100 ml.’ The description of ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ has been simplified by deleting the references to the ‘soft-rind’ and ‘oblong’ types. When the current product specification was drawn up, the cultivar was divided into two types on the basis of specific botanical traits, using a traditional dual classification which is now outdated. In fact the differences are due to the ‘Femminello comune’ cultivar flowering several times a year in the Gargano area. The soft-rind and round types (‘Limone lustrino’ in the current specification) are the fruit of the third and fourth flowering periods whose diameter at the centre, weight, and juiciness differ from those of the oblong type, which accounts for most of the fruit of the second flowering period. The new article thus aims to simplify and clarify that the variations in shape, size and weight are the result of the various flowering periods, and establishes a single minimum value for diameter at the centre, weight and juiciness.

2. In Article 2 the following sentence is added: ‘Fruit with a diameter greater than 45 mm and weighing at least 60 g are intended exclusively for processing, subject to the above characteristics.’ The amendment aims to allow ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ fruit with a diameter at the centre of between 45 and 50 mm and weighing between 60 and 80 grams to be commercially exploited, by defining them as fruit to be used only for processing.

Production method – Article 5 of the product specification

1. The sentence in paragraph 5.2 ‘Rootstock’: ‘The rootstock, in accordance with agronomic tradition, is “melangolo” (citrus mearda), certified as such under the applicable legislation.’ is amended as follows: ‘The rootstock, in accordance with agronomic tradition, is mainly bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.), replaceable as an alternative by other rootstocks nevertheless certified under the applicable legislation.’ The purpose of this proposal is first of all to correct the term used in the old specification to specify the botanical species of the rootstock that corresponds to the common name (‘melangolo’). The scientific term for ‘melangolo’ is not Citrus mearda, as was wrongly stated in the old specification, but Citrus aurantium L., which denotes the bitter orange commonly known as ‘melangolo’. Secondly, the words ‘replaceable as an alternative by other rootstocks nevertheless certified under the applicable legislation’ are added because growers need to be able to use other rootstocks certified under the relevant legislation due to the increasing lack of availability of bitter orange rootstock.

2. In paragraph 5.3 ‘Planting pattern’ the sentence ‘The species and varieties to be grown are defined in Article 2.’ is amended as follows: ‘The species and cultivars to be grown are defined in Article 2.’ The terminology used is brought into line with Article 2 of the specification.

3. In paragraph 5.5 ‘Crop care’ the sentence ‘Working of the soil is confined to spring hoeing and dressing, generally still with goat and sheep manure;’ is amended as follows: ‘Working of the soil is confined to spring hoeing and dressing, generally still with organic fertiliser;’. Replacing the words ‘generally with goat and sheep manure’ reflects the need to specify the use of organic fertiliser, but without further specifying its nature. Sheep and goat farms have increasingly been abandoned since the specification was drawn up, leading to reduced availability of sheep and goat manure.

4. In paragraph 5.5 ‘Crop care’ the sentence ‘Crop care continues with protection from bad weather, using windbreaks, and from pests, mainly scale insects, which cause the problem of sooty mould.’ is amended as follows: ‘Crop care continues with protection from bad weather, using windbreaks, and from pests.’ The amendment is necessary to bring the specification up to date. Pest damage is not caused ‘mainly’ by scale insects and sooty mould, but by an ever increasing range of pests that citrus growers continuously have to contend with. It was therefore considered appropriate to reword the sentence.

5. In paragraph 5.7 ‘Harvest period’ the sentence ‘Given the particular soil and climate conditions and specific properties that enable the trees, quite naturally, to bear fruit for an extended period, the harvest takes place throughout the year.’ now reads: ‘Given the particular soil and climatic conditions and the various flowering periods of “Limone Femminello del Gargano”, along with properties enabling the tree, quite naturally, to bear fruit for an extended period, the harvest takes place throughout the year.’ The proposed rewording aims to make it clear that the fruit can be harvested throughout the year thanks to the various flowering periods.

Labelling

6. The paragraph: ‘In compliance with the general and metrological rules of the trade in fresh fruit and vegetables, the product may be placed on the market: 1. Loose, and each fruit must bear the PGI logo “Limone Femminello del Gargano”. 2. In packs, i.e. wrapped, and at least 80 % of the fruit in the pack must bear the logo. If the fruit is packaged, the containers must be rigid, with a capacity of between 1 kg and 25 kg, and must be made of material of vegetable origin, such as wood or cardboard. The commercial packs must bear the following indications: — “Limone Femminello del Gargano”, possibly followed by the synonym trade names “Lustrino” or “Fusillo”;’ is amended as follows: ‘In compliance with the general and metrological rules of the trade in fresh fruit and vegetables, the product may be placed on the market: 1. In packs, and at least 80 % of the fruit in the pack must have a sticker or be wrapped. The containers must be rigid, with a capacity of between 1 kg and 25 kg, and must be made of material of vegetable origin, such as wood or cardboard. 2. For lemons intended for processing, individual stickers are not compulsory. In any case, the packs or packaging, including nets and similar packaging, must bear the words “Limone Femminello del Gargano PGI for processing”, in clear, indelible characters, easily distinguishable from any other writing. The packs referred to in (1) above must bear the following indications: — the logo; — the acronym PGI (or the words in full); — the name of the producer/trader, company name, address of the packer, net weight as sold.’ Removal of the ‘loose’ category, where each fruit has to bear the PGI logo, was requested by operators because of the cost and time required to place the PGI logo on each individual lemon. The preparation of lemons for sale is very often done manually by small family businesses. It was therefore decided to provide for sale of the fruit only ‘in packs’, while guaranteeing that at least 80 % has a sticker. The 80 % limit also covers individually wrapped fruit in the pack. Specific provisions are introduced for lemons intended for processing. A new point 2 is necessary because of the need to commercially exploit fruit with a diameter of at least 45 mm and weighing at least 60 grams for processing purposes, without requiring producers to apply stickers. In order to protect the origin and the traceability of the fruit, the PGI name ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ followed by the words ‘for processing’ should be shown on the packs or packaging used. Following the first amendment to Article 2, the sentence in Article 8 ‘The packs must bear the following indications: “Limone Femminello del Gargano”, possibly followed by the synonym trade names “Lustrino” or “Fusillo”’ has been deleted as it is no longer applicable.

7. The final paragraph on users of the PGI name ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ in processed products: ‘Users of the protected designation product are authorised by the holders of the intellectual property right concerned, grouped together in a syndicate and assigned a supervisory role by the Ministry of Agricultural Policy. This syndicate will be responsible for registering and monitoring the correct use of the protected designation. In the absence of a supervisory syndicate, these functions shall be carried out by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policy, as the national authority responsible for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.’ has been deleted because it is not relevant to the content of the product specification.

Other

Checks

8. Legal references to Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council have been updated.

9. References to the inspection body responsible for checking the product specification should be included in the product specification.

Logo

10. Below is the product logo, which appears in point 3.6 of the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘LIMONE FEMMINELLO DEL GARGANO’

EU No: PGI-IT-0297-AM01 — 5.4.2017

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Name(s)

‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’

2. Member State or Third Country

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

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

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

The protected geographical indication ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ is reserved for traditionally grown cultivars belonging to the Femminello Comune variety, locally known as ‘Limone nostrale’ (‘home-grown lemons’).

‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ fruit vary in shape, size and weight as a result of the various flowering periods in spring and in summer/autumn. Their shape varies between typically elliptic/oblong, ovoid and a rounder shape, with a more pronounced umbo in winter fruits. Minimum diameter at the centre 50 mm, weight not less than 80 g; bright lemon-yellow rind. The flavedo is thick, very rich in essential oils and has a very intense aroma; 8-11 segments per fruit. Very juicy, yellow-green flesh (the juice accounts for at least 30 % of the weight of the fruit); acidity level above 3,5 gr/100 ml.

Fruit with a diameter greater than 45 mm and weighing at least 60 g are intended exclusively for processing, subject to the above characteristics.

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 identified geographical area

Growing and harvesting operations must take place within the production area defined in point 4.

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

Packing of ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ PGI takes place solely in the area of production, as set out in point 4, in order to ensure product traceability and monitoring and to prevent deterioration in the quality of the produce.

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

In compliance with the general and metrological rules of the trade in fresh fruit and vegetables, the product may be placed on the market:

1. In packs, and at least 80 % of the fruit in the pack must have a sticker or be wrapped. The containers must be rigid, with a capacity of between 1 kg and 25 kg, and must be made of material of vegetable origin, such as wood or cardboard.

2. For lemons intended for processing, individual stickers are not compulsory. In any case, the packs or packaging, including nets and similar packaging, must bear the words ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano PGI for processing’, in clear, indelible characters, easily distinguishable from any other writing.

The packs referred to in (1) above must bear the following indications:

— the logo;

— the acronym PGI (or the words in full);

— the name of the producer/trader, company name, address of the packer, net weight as sold.

Products prepared using the ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ PGI, even after processing and treatment, may be released for consumption in packaging bearing a reference to the designation without using the EU logo, provided that the protected designation product, certified as such, is the sole component of the product group concerned.

The logo consists of a stylised image of two lemons with a leafy branch inside an elliptical crown. The crown bears the wording ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’.

The lemons pictured and the wording ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ are in pale yellow, and the branch and leaves are green.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ production and packing area is located in the province of Foggia (Region of Apulia) and includes the municipalities of Vico del Gargano, Ischitella and Rodi Garganico, specifically a section of the northern part of the Gargano promontory – part coastal and part sub-coastal – from Vico del Gargano and Rodi Garganico up to Ischitella.

5. Link with the geographical area

Due to the specific local environment, i.e. the soil and climate in the coastal and sub-humid Mediterranean belt of the Gargano promontory, which, thanks to the age-old traditional experience of local farmers, have over time produced lemons so sought after for their superior quality that they have attracted foreign markets since antiquity, the ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ is prized for its authenticity and, above all, a special aroma that sets this PGI apart from the lemons produced in other Italian regions.

Citrus growing in the Gargano is still a traditional form of agriculture, performed by hand, with the pruner playing a major role. Over time, agriculture in the Gargano has built up a heritage of agronomic expertise that has been passed down through generations.

The first network of commercial links with the North American continent dates back to 1884, and it accounted for a significant proportion of citrus production. The first historical documentation on the ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ dates from the year 1000, whilst the earliest records of production in the area are to be found in the 1811 statistics of the Kingdom of Naples, when 60 % of production was exported.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for amending the product specification for the PGI ‘Limone Femminello del Gargano’ in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 27 of 2 February 2017. The consolidated text of the product specification can be consulted on the following website:

http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’, then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

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