EN Official Journal of the European Union C 276/14

Publication pursuant to Article 18(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006 of the single document on a designation of origin or a geographical indication registered under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 in accordance with Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92

2013/C 276/07

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1)

‘MEL DO ALENTEJO’

EC No: PT-PDO-0117-0252-20.01.2011

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Name

‘Mel do Alentejo’

2. Member State or third country

Portugal

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.4. Other products of animal origin (honey)

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

Product produced by the bee Apis mellifera (sp. Ibérica) from nectar harvested from flowers that are part of the region’s melliferous flora. PDO ‘Mel do Alentejo’ is classified as:

single-flower honey from: — topped lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.), — eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), — orange blossom (Citrus spp.), — viper's bugloss (Echium spp.);

multifloral honey.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only)

Systematic or large-scale artificial feeding of the bee colonies that produce PDO ‘Mel do Alentejo’ is not permitted.

The exception is in specific situations of food shortage or to stimulate the growth of the bee population, when beekeepers may feed the bees as follows:

— with syrup prepared with two parts honey or white sugar and one part water.

Artificial feeding is always done in the absence of honey supers and must stop one week before they are set up.

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

Bee farms that produce PDO ‘Mel do Alentejo’ must be located within the defined geographical area. Member producers undertake in writing to declare only honeys from registered apiaries located within the defined geographical area.

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

‘Mel do Alentejo’ is packaged in transparent, colourless glass containers holding up to 1 000 g. Honey for direct consumption for the hotel industry, restaurants and catering firms may be packed in individual portions; the packaging must be made from food grade material and hermetically sealed.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

Use on the label of the PDO ‘Mel do Alentejo’ logo and the certification mark of the inspection and certification body.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

PDO ‘Mel do Alentejo’ is produced within the area that lies within the administrative boundaries of the following municipalities: Alandroal, Alvito, Arraiolos, Barrancos, Beja, Borba, Cuba, Estremoz, Elvas, Évora, Ferreira do Alentejo, Fronteira, Montemor-o-Novo, Mora, Moura, Mourão, Portel, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Serpa, Sousel, Vendas Novas, Viana do Alentejo, Vidigueira, Vila Viçosa.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The climate, soil and vegetation are distinctly Mediterranean, with a predominance of very typical plant species that are important for both the quality and the quantity of the honey produced.

The typical flora of the defined geographical area varies from topped lavender, gum rockrose, sage-leaved rock rose, strawberry tree, wild honeysuckle, racemed carline thistle, yellow fleabane, ragwort, viper’s bugloss and all the typical Mediterranean flora that coexists with the cork and holm oak groves.

The sunflower, eucalyptus and orange monocultures are also an important source of nectar.

The floral honeys from this area, which is so unspoilt and rich in melliferous flora, have a wonderful aroma and pleasant taste; the delicate colours range from transparent yellow to amber.

The colour is a typical feature of Alentejo honey and makes it popular with consumers, as light-coloured honeys are more sought after both in Portugal and abroad.

Small-scale honey production has been a feature of the Alentejo for centuries and is a deeply rooted tradition among the local people.

5.2. Specificity of the product

The physical, chemical, pollen and organoleptic characteristics of PDO ‘Mel do Alentejo’ are as follows:

(a) Physical and chemical characteristics: free acidity: less than 35 meq/kg; electrical conductivity: less than 6,0 × 10–4 S/cm; colour: all shades from light yellow to amber; hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): not more than 10 mg/kg; moisture: less than 18,5 %; ash: less than 0,6 %.

(b) Pollen characteristics: Single-flower honeys Minimum percentage of pollen from topped lavender: 13 %, orange blossom: 15 %, eucalyptus and viper's bugloss: 40 %. Multifloral honeys Minimum 5 % pollen from at least one of the following species: topped lavender, viper's bugloss, eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary, orange or thistle.

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 specific climate, soil and vegetation in the defined geographical area, notably the flora that coexists with the cork and holm oak groves and the sunflower, eucalyptus and orange crops, produce the nectar which gives ‘Mel do Alentejo’ its distinctive characteristics, described in point 5.2.

Publication reference of the specification

http://www.gpp.pt/Valor/DOP_IGP_ETG.html

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12. Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.