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 22/03)

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 ( ) PGI (x)

National application No: 75

1. Responsible department in the Member State Name: Subdirección General de Denominaciones de Calidad y Relaciones Interprofesionales y Contractuales

Dirección General de Alimentación

Subsecretaría de Agricultura

Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación.

Address: Paseo Infanta Isabel, 1, E-28071 Madrid

Telephone (34-91) 347 53 97

Fax (34-91) 347 54 10

2. Applicant group 2.1. Name: (a) Agrofruit Export, SA

(b) Cooperativa Exportadora d'Agris d'Alcanar

(c) Cooperativa de Bítem

(d) El Progrés, SCCL

2.2. Address: (a) Polígon Industrial Baix Ebre, Carré A, E-43500 Tortosa

(b) Carretera Nova 77-87, E-43530 Alcanar

(c) Colònia Gàsol, 132, E-43510 Bítem

(d) Av. Lluís Companys s/n, E-43512 Benifallet

2.3. Composition: producers/processors (x) other ( )

3. Type of product: Class 1.6. Fruits, Vegetables and Cereals.

4. Specification

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

4.1. Name: "Clementinas de las Tierras del Ebro" of "Clementines de les Terres de l'Ebre"

4.2. Description: Fruits of the species Citrus reticulata of the following varieties: Clementina fina, Clementina Hernandina and Clemenules (Clementina de Nules).

The general average statistics for these fruits determined within the period deemed to be the optimum for picking are as follows((Source: Estació Experimental de l'Ebre (EEE), Institut de Recerca i Tecnología Alimentària (IRTA).))

>TABLE>

The varieties of clementine grown in this PGI area have the following distinguishing features:

- a very long maturity period,

- excellent flavour,

- deep orange rind colour.

The selection criteria applied to products with these features are the following:

- Juice content (% by weight) > 40 %,

- Maturity index: Soluble solids ratio (E)/acidity(A) > 10,

- Colour: The reading is taken in the equatorial section of the fruit and the minimum a/b values for the three protected varieties are as follows:

>TABLE>

4.3. Geographical area: The geographical area comprises sites in subdistricts of the Catalan Baix Ebre and Montsià areas in the Province of Tarragona, which the Regulatory Body considers suitable for the production of clementines under the criteria stated in the quality manual.

The municipalities included in this geographical area are the following:

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4.4. Proof of origin: Clementines are grown on orchards situated in the production area and entered in the appropriate register of the Regulatory Body. They are selected, prepared and packaged in packing warehouses entered in the appropriate register of the Regulatory Body, also in the production area.

Clementines of commercial categories "Extra" and "1" that pass checks made throughout the production and packaging process and physical, chemical and organoleptic examinations are placed on the market with a protected geographical indication and a numbered label issued by the Regulatory Body.

The examinations are the following:

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4.5. Method of production: Planting guidelines:

- For existing plantations: Citrus Aurantinum stock: 5 × 4 of 5 × 5 m

- For new plantations, depending on stock used:

- Citrange Carrizo: 6 × 4 of 5,5 × 3,5 m

- Mandarino Cleopatra: 5 × 4 of 5 × 3,5 m.

Pruning: Shape or growth pruning is carried out during the first years of life, to promote a strong, vigorous structure and regular pruning thereafter to increase the yield of the plantation.

Harvesting: The fruit is cropped when the minimum values for the maturity index and juice content are reached for each variety. Harvesting should be carried out in dew and mist-free conditions, using secateurs and avoiding any rough handling which might break the skin of the fruit.The minimum values are as follows:

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Preparation and packaging: At the authorised packing warehouses, the clementines undergo the following processes: washing, waxing, sizing, packing, cold storage, external quality assurance and labelling.

The entire process, from production to labelling is carried out in the production area.

4.6. Link: Historical. The mandarin is one of the fruit trees traditionally grown in the Baix Ebre and Montsià areas, often on family-run holdings. In the mid-19th century, approximately 160 ha was dedicated to growing citrus fruit in the Province of Tarragona. This area grew steadily until the 1960s, when there was a major expansion, which has continued until the present day. Of all the citrus fruits grown in the Ebro area, clementines, and in particular these three varieties, have been of outstanding quality. Growers have striven for quality, with clementine-growing taking up an increasingly large portion of agricultural land and gradually ousting other citrus fruits.

Geographical. The area is characterised by three orographical units with the following different features: mountainous terrain, quaternary plain and recent alluvial deposits. There are two types of soil in the area: one excellent for non-irrigated farming and the other requiring irrigation. The phosphate and potassium content is average to high, the fact that high potassium concentrations are not present giving the clementines a thin rind.

The climate is warm and coastal and enjoys a long completely frost-free period. Winters are temperate with a sharp contrast between daytime and night-time temperatures. This climate produces a fruit whose skin develops slowly and is rich in colour. Also, the fruit matures later than in other regions, so it can be sold later in the season without losing its commercial grade.

Social. The total area growing citrus fruit in the Baix Ebre and Montsià areas in 1997 was 6095 ha, 3260 ha of which was dedicated to clementine-growing and produced 48300 tonnes of fruit in 1997. 90 % of all clementines grown in the Baix Ebre and Montsià areas are PGI products.

4.7. Inspection body Name: CEINAL

Address: Longitudinal 9, bloc 21

Mercabarna

E-08040 Barcelona

Telephone (34-93) 263 24 54

Fax (34-93) 335 07 48

The Inspection Body complies with EN standard 45011

4.8. Labelling: Labels will be authorised by the Inspection Body. The first and second labels are both required to feature Protected Geographical Indication "Clementinas de las Tierras del Ebro" or "Clementines de les Terres de l Ebre" in a prominent position. The second labels will be numbered and issued by the Inspection Body.

4.9. National requirements - Law 25/1970 of 2 December 1970 laying down rules on vineyards, wine and spirit drinks.

- Order of 25 January 1994 specifying the correlation between Spanish legislation and Regulation (EEC) 2081/1992.

- Decree 835/1972 of 23 March 1972 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Law 25/1970.

- Royal Decree 1643/99 of 22 October 1999 laying down the procedure for processing applications for registration in the Community Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications.

EC No: G/ES/00173/2000.11.28.

Date of receipt of the full application: 19 June 2002.