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

(2001/C 354/07)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the Member State concerned 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 (x) PGI ( )

National application No: 81/99

1. Responsible department in the Member State Name: Direcção Geral do Desenvolvimento Rural

Address: Av. Defensores de Chaves, 6, P-1000 Lisboa

Tel.: (351-21) 318 43 82

Fax: (351-21) 353 58 72.

2. Applicant group 2.1. Name: Mertocar - Sociedade de Produtores de Carne de Qualidade SA

2.2. Address: Rua Diana de Liz, antigo parque do Iroma, apartado 466, P-7005 Évora Codex

2.3. Composition: producer/processor (x), other ( ).

3. Type of product: Class 1.1 Fresh meat.

4. Specification (summary of requirements under Article 4(2)):

4.1. Name: Carne da Charneca.

4.2. Description: Meat obtained from the cutting of carcasses of bovine animals of the Preta (Gado da Terra) breed born, reared and slaughtered in the geographical area concerned, whose birth is recorded in the appropriate register and whose parents are both registered in the Preta breed herdbook. Irrespective of the animal's age at slaughter (i.e. whether it is a calf, yearling or cow), the carcass invariably features a low degree of fat cover, the fat itself being whitish to yellow, non-exudative, and firm in texture. The colour of the meat ranges from pink (in the case of veal) to dark red (in the case of cowmeat).

4.3. Geographical area: In view of the organoleptic characteristics of the product, the soil and climate required to produce it, and the authentic and unvarying local methods used, the geographical area of production is by its nature limited to the municipalities of Nisa, Gavião (parishes of Gavião, Atalaia, Margem and Comenda), Castelo de Vide, Marvão, Crato, Portalegre, Ponte de Sor, Alter do Chão, Campo Maior, Arronches, Avis, Fronteira, Monforte, Elvas, Abrantes (parishes of Tramagal, São Miguel do Rio Torto, Rossio ao Sul do Tejo, Pego, Concavada, Alvega, São Facundo, Vale de Mós and Bemposta), Constância (parish of Santa Margarida da Coutada), Chamusca, Alpiarça, Almeirim, Salvaterra de Magos, Coruche, Benavente, Vila Franca de Xira (parish of Vila Franca de Xira), Palmela, Montijo, Alcácer do Sal, Grândola, Mora, Arraiolos, Estremoz, Borba, Vila Viçosa, Vendas Novas, Montemor-o-Novo, Évora, Redondo, Alandroal and Ferreira do Alentejo.

4.4. Proof of origin: The meat comes exclusively from animals born and reared on approved holdings. Approval is given only if the holding satisfies each of the following requirements: it must be located in the geographical area of production; its animals must be entered in the book of births and in the Preta breed herdbook; it must keep up-to-date records covering rearing in the field, official identification, transportation and movement, lairage and the individual animal health certificate; and it must submit to the control and certification arrangements applicable. Only meat from such animals (slaughtered at approved slaughterhouses) and conforming to the specifications may qualify for, and be marketed under, the designation of origin. In order to provide additional guarantees in terms of traceability, a control system has been introduced which covers the entire chain of production.

4.5. Method of production: Preta breed herds are reared on an extensive basis only (stocking rate of less than 1,4 LU/ha), the animals spending the entire year out in the open and grazing, depending on the season, in the "Charnecas", amid cereal stubble or in plains where spring crops were grown. After being weaned, at anything between six to eight months, the calves which are not intended for slaughter undergo a two-stage rearing process. The first phase extends from the 10th to the 18th month, when the main aim is to develop the animal's bones and muscle and the diet accordingly tends to consist of protein and fibre. The second phase, from the 18th month onwards, covers finishing prior to slaughter and features an energy-rich diet. The meat comes from animals slaughtered at an approved slaughterhouse and there are detailed rules governing its chilling, ageing, cutting, packing and presentation.

4.6. Link: The Charneca - the name given to land situated on the banks of the Tagus in the districts of Portalegre and Santarém and the Sado and Sorraia river basin lowlands - is part of an area of cork-oak and holm-oak groves. The area as a whole has a Mediterranean - i.e. temperate - climate with hot and dry summers, rain in the cold season and moderate winters, with annual rainfall of between 500 and 800 mm, mainly in the autumn/winter. The region forms part of the old Iberian plateau, with sandy clay soils of the lacustrine pleistocene era and modern alluvial soils (lowlands). The soils are mainly acid (pH < 6,5), varying between cambisols, podzols, lithosols and fluvisols. The land is generally given over to Mediterranean woodlands (cork-oak and holm-oak), arable crops (mainly cereals and fodder), is left fallow or is used for grazing. The characteristic methods used in the region, combined with the basis of the diet of the Preto cattle - natural or enriched fodder, acorns, cereal waste, and natural grazing - gives the meat its special qualities.

4.7. Inspection body: Name: Certialentejo - Certificação de produtos agrícolas, LDA

Address: Avenida General Humberto Delgado, 34-1° esq° P-7000-900 Évora.

4.8. Labelling: Must bear the words "Carne da Charneca", "Designation of Origin" and the numbered certification mark. The model certification mark is included in the specifications.

4.9. National requirements: Despacho No 6641/98 of 23 March 1998 of the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, published in the Official Gazette, Second Series, No 94 of 22 April 1998. Lays down the main rules governing the production and characteristics of Carne da Charneca and specifies the geographical area of production.

EC No: G/PT/00096/99.05.20.

Date of receipt of full application: 23 July 2001.