EN Official Journal of the European Union C 137/4

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

(2017/C 137/04)

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 COSTA D’AMALFI’

EU No: PGI-IT-02185 — 26.9.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

CONSORZIO DI TUTELA LIMONE COSTA DI AMALFI IGP Address : C.so Reginna 71 84010 Maiori (SA) ITALIA Email: info@limonecostadamalfiigp.com; limonecostadamailfiigp@pec.it

The Consorzio di Tutela Limone Costa di Amalfi IGP is entitled to submit an amendment application pursuant to Article 13(1) of Decree No 12511 of 14 October 2013 of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy.

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 [Packaging; Update of laws; Correction of place names]

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 6 of the current specification

It has been specified that the yield percentages indicated in the point regarding the flesh refer to the juice. This is an editing amendment, since the word ‘juicy’ was erroneously omitted in the current specification, whereas it is included in point 4.2 of the application published in the Official Journal (C 282/04 of 5 October 2000). This amendment does not entail any variation in the parameters describing the product.

— The paragraph: ‘Flesh: colour: straw yellow, very juicy (yield not less than 25 %) and with high acidity (not less than 3,5/100 ml)’ is amended as follows: ‘Flesh: colour: straw yellow, very juicy (yield not less than 25 %) and with high acidity (not less than 3,5 g/100 ml)’.

Method of production

Article 4 of the current specification

— The paragraph: ‘The traditional technique of production is to grow the trees under trellises made of wooden posts, preferably chestnut (not less than 180 cm long), using coverings where necessary to protect the trees from adverse weather conditions and to ensure that the fruits ripen gradually.’ is amended as follows: ‘The traditional technique of production is to grow the trees under trellises made of wooden posts, preferably chestnut and/or other materials compatible with the environment and countryside protection (not less than 180 cm long at the time of replacement), using coverings where necessary to protect the trees from adverse weather conditions and to ensure that the fruits ripen gradually.’

Global socioeconomic development and tourism in the production area of ‘Limone Costa d’Amalfi’ has led to the abandonment of forestry. This has an impact on the production techniques of the chestnut posts used to make the trellises for the protection of the lemons; in order to lower production costs, the traditional ways of making the posts were changed, using lower-quality wood that now has a shorter lifespan than before, in some cases not reaching the depreciation period for the purchase and installation of the posts. Therefore there is now the possibility to use posts made of environmentally friendly material instead of wood; these posts do not have a major impact on the current landscape defined by the lemon groves. The use of environmentally more sustainable material would lead to a fall in fixed costs, which could provide an incentive for growing lemons. Finally, we should not underestimate the aspect of safety in the workplace, which would be better guaranteed ensured through the use of non-wooden poles, especially when work is taking place in the higher parts of the groves.

The need to stipulate the height of the posts, by introducing the words ‘at the time of replacement’, is linked to the particular nature of the Amalfi Coast land, which is such that over time the posts tend to sink by about 10-20 cm, either due to the weight of the structure on which the lemon tree branches rest or due to the permeability of the soil itself.

The deletion of the term ‘where necessary’ is justified by the importance of the coverings in the production of the Limone Costa di Amalfi PGI. These coverings protect the plant from adverse weather conditions (frost, hail, cold), therefore their use cannot be considered to be optional.

— The sentence: ‘Planting density should not exceed 800 trees per hectare.’ is amended as follows: ‘Planting density should not exceed 1 200 trees per hectare.’

This amendment stems from the finding that the number of trees per hectare is related to the width and shape of the terraces. The geometric shapes of terraces are more diverse and irregular. This irregularity leads to a high variability in the number of trees per hectare, since the farmer must use every available space for cultivation.

The density of trees per hectare depends on the slope of the hilly ridge, which in many cases defines the width of the terraces. In the area of production the trees, having a form of cultivation that is ‘adapted’ to the terrace, are grown both horizontally, with a dome system, and in the direction perpendicular to the terrace length. This allows trees to be planted with oblique posts positioned bottom-up connecting two terraces, building on underlying horizontal stilts, thus heightening the development of the main branches on the trellises.

This technique allows an increase to 1 200 trees per hectare, in accordance with the quality of the fruit and the requirements of the specification.

— The following sentence has been inserted in order to clarify that the oldest cultivar is to be used for the production of ‘Limone Costa d’Amalfi’: ‘The cultivar used for new planting, replanting or grafting must be exclusively the “Sfusato Amalfitano”, as certified by nurseries authorised by the Campania Region and accredited by the plant health service.’

— The sentence: ‘However, in view particularly of the change in the area’s climate, the Campania Region reserves the right to adapt these dates by issuing a decision.’ is deleted as it was not in line with the rules in force.

— The sentence: ‘The maximum lemon yield per hectare which can receive protection must not exceed 25 tonnes, in single or mixed cropping (here, this is a weighted yield).’ is amended as follows: ‘The maximum lemon yield per hectare which can receive protection must not exceed 35 tonnes, in single or mixed cropping (here, this is a weighted yield).’

Improving conditions for growing the lemons due to increased understanding of the physiology of the trees, the best expertise gained in relation to techniques for cultivation and agronomic management of the lemon groves, combined with the better management of irrigation system aimed at greater efficiency and water savings, as well as the involvement of highly competent and qualified staff, allows for better management of lemon groves and an increase in production over that foreseen in the current specification drawn up in the 1990s. The limit of 35 tonnes per hectare does not have an impact on the physiology of the trees and the quality of the fruit.

Others

Article 7 of the current specification

— The geographical limitations on the preparation and processing of lemons have been deleted in order to promote greater dissemination of the product, which is used as an ingredient in processed products. Therefore the sentence in point 3 of the last paragraph of the article: ‘The preparation and/or processing of the lemons shall take place exclusively in the municipalities listed in Article 3 of this specification;’ has been deleted.

Packaging:

— The following sentence: ‘The product must be put on sale in suitable rigid containers with a content of at least 0,5 kg up to a maximum of 15 kg, made from material of plant origin, cardboard or another recyclable material permitted in any case by Community legislation.’ is amended as follows: ‘The product must be put on sale in suitable rigid containers, from a single lemon up to 15 kg, made preferably from material of plant origin.’

The purpose of this amendment is to introduce the sale of individual PGI lemons and allow the use of other containers of non-plant material, while retaining a preference for those made of plant material. We consider that, in an area with a high level of tourism, this amendment contributes to the dissemination and knowledge of the product and its name, also abroad.

Update of laws:

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

Correction of place names:

— Due to typing errors in the drafting of Article 3 of the product specification, the following correction of geographical references is required: — for ‘P.ta Pantanello’ read ‘P.ta Campanella’; — for ‘Monte Cambera’ read ‘Monte Gambera’; — for ‘sorgente Cannillo’ read ‘sorgente Cannello’; — for ‘Monte Falerio’ read ‘Monte Falerzio’.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘LIMONE COSTA D’AMALFI’

EU No: PGI-IT-02185 — 26.9.2016

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. Name(s)

‘Limone Costa d’Amalfi’

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 fruit has an elongated oval shape with a large pointed umbo and a medium-thick peel which is lemon yellow in colour when ripe; it must not weigh less than 100 g; the flavedo is rich in essential oils; it has a strong aroma. The fruit is very juicy (yield not less than 25 %) and has a high acidity (not less than 3,5 g/100 ml), straw yellow; low number of pips.

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

Each stage from growing to harvesting of ‘Limone Costa d’Amalfi’ PGI must take place in the geographical area described in point 4.

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

The product must be put on sale in suitable rigid containers, from a single lemon up to 15 kg, made preferably from material of plant origin. Rigid containers made of cardboard are also permissible.

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

The following items must appear on the labels in clear, indelible print: 1) the ‘Limone Costa d’Amalfi’ PGI; 2) the name of the producer; 3) the quantity of the product contained within the packaging; 4) the year of production. The label must also feature the selected logo which is composed of a lemon with leaves, placed on the left side of a double circle which on a yellow background contains in black lettering the words ‘Limone Costa d’Amalfi’. Inside the double circle there is an outline of the coast from Maiori to Capo Conca, while in the foreground there is a Mediterranean ‘macchia’ bush.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The entire territory of the municipality of Atrani in the province of Salerno and parts of the territory of the following municipalities in the same province: Amalfi, Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti and Vietri sul Mare. The demarcated area is internationally known as the Amalfi coast.

5. Link with the geographical area

The very name of the cultivar ‘Sfusato Amalfitano’ is evidence of its strong link with the geographical area in question. Added to this is the fact that this variety is grown almost exclusively in this area and the fruit’s intrinsic quality characteristics have changed over the centuries in relation to its unique environment. This concerns in particular the aroma, perfume, juiciness and the acidity of the juice, which have made this fruit famous worldwide. Lemon growing on the Amalfi coast has gradually predominated over the cultivation of all other crops, playing an important role not only in the area’s economy but also in shaping the landscape (the recovery in tourism owes much to the marriage of blue sea and citrus greenery) and protecting the hydrogeology of the land.

Historical elements

The presence of lemon trees is well documented on the Amalfi coast, throughout the centuries since the early 11th century, especially following the discovery that lemons were effective in combating scurvy, a disease caused, as is known, by a lack of vitamin C in the body. It was for this very reason, and in the light of the studies carried out by the famous Salerno medical school, that the Republic of Amalfi ordered ships always to carry lemons on board. This also encouraged lemon orchard planting in the area, from the 12th to the 14th century, and from then they increasingly occupied an even greater area on the coast and in the surrounding hills.

Evidence of this spread can be seen in numerous documents from the mediaeval period.

Camera, the 19th-century historian, claimed that lemons and oranges were first grown in the Amalfi area in 1112, at the latest, on the basis of his discovery of a parchment of the same year. From 1600 reliable documents mention the spread of ‘lemon gardens or groves (horti)’ along the entire coast, while in 1626 Ferrari was the first to describe the limon amalphitanus which resembles in almost every detail the modern Sfusato Amalfitano variety. From that time onwards, there is also mention of a large market in lemons in the area, with a progressive rise in quantities traded in the 18th century and particularly in the second half of the 19th century when lemons were almost exclusively bought by merchants from other areas (Sorrento). After this period the number of new plantings began to decline, which was linked to the lack of new land available, and efforts focused on restructuring the land (into terraces) and reducing the planting distance.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 6(1) second subparagraph 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 Costa d’Amalfi’ in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 163 of 14 July 2016 and No 187 of 11 August 2016.

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 alternatively:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Prodotti DOP e IGP’ (at the top right-hand side of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP, IGP e 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.