EN Official Journal of the European Union C 127/16

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2006/C 127/08)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Application for registration according to Article 5 and Article 17(2)

‘EKSTRA DEVIŠKO OLJČNO OLJE SLOVENSKE ISTRE’

EC No: SI/0420/29.10.2004

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary has been drawn up for information only. For full details, interested parties are invited to consult the full version of the product specification obtainable from the national authorities indicated in section 1 or from the European Commission (1).

1. Responsible department in the Member State

Name: Ministrstvo za kmetijstvo, gozdarstvo in prehrano Address: Dunajska cesta 58, SLO-1000 Ljubljana Tel.: (386-1) 478 90 00 Fax: (386-1) 478 90 55 e-mail: varnahrana.mkgp@gov.si

2. Group

Name: DOSI — Društvo Oljkarjev Slovenske Istre Address: p.p. 55, SLO-6310 Izola Tel.: — Fax: — e-mail: — Composition: Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3. Type of product

Class 1.5. Oil

4. Specification

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

4.1 Name: ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’

4.2 Description: Olive oil with the designation of origin ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ (Extra virgin olive oil from Slovenian Istria) is produced from olive trees grown in the region of Slovenian Istria. Oil produced from one particular variety must contain at least 80 % of the declared variety. The permitted varieties are Istrska belica, Leccino, Buga, Črnica, Maurino, Frantoio and Pendolino.

Chemical composition:

The distinguishing features of ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ are its high oleic acid content (≥ 72), its low linoleic acid content (≤ 8,0) and a high antioxidant content. Its peroxide number, expressed in mmol O2/kg, is ≤ 7.

Organoleptic description:

The oil has a characteristic fruity aroma reminiscent of olives and other fruits. It must have no organoleptic defects and its overall organoleptic rating must be 6,5.

4.3 Geographical area: ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ is produced, processed and prepared for the market in the region of Slovenian Istria, the borders of which are demarcated as follows:

in the north by the border between Slovenia and Italy;

in the west by the sea;

in the south by the border between Slovenia and Croatia;

in the east by the edge of the Karst region.

4.4 Proof of origin: The area of production is defined at point 4.3. above. The manner in which the oil is produced must also meet criteria designed to guarantee the top quality and special characteristics of ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’.

All producers must be registered within the demarcated region and enrolled in the list of producers. Processing must also take place at registered olive oil mills in the same region. During storage all containers must bear the words ‘geografsko poreklo’ (geographical origin) and have a serial number. All information on the series must also be shown on the label. Bottling is permitted only in registered plants in the demarcated region.

4.5 Method of production: The following conditions must be met:

the oils must be obtained from the fruit at a temperature of less than 27° C;

nothing may be added during processing, except water;

the olives must be processed within 48 hours of picking.

The main stages in the production of ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ are:

growing of olives (supervision of quantities and varieties);

picking of olives (by hand) at optimum ripeness;

storage of olives (for no more than 48 hours);

processing (at registered olive mills) with controls on hygiene, temperature and yield;

storage in properly labelled containers at an appropriate temperature (12 to 20° C);

sampling (quality control);

bottling and labelling in registered bottling plants;

storage of bottled oil.

4.6 Link: The special nature of ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ lies in the varieties selected, with the Istrska belica variety being particularly representative. At optimum ripeness, Istrska belica olives produce oil that is characteristically high in biophenols (natural antioxidants). Natural antioxidants are important, as they protect the oil from damage, keep it fresh for longer and give it greater stability.

Authenticity:

Slovenian Istria enjoys a very favourable geographical situation for olive-growing, as it is here that the Mediterranean — with its characteristic climate — reaches its most northerly point, making for an excellent relationship between yield and biophenol content. ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ therefore has a high content of antioxidants and biophenols and achieves top quality. Another contributing factor is the special nature of the soil: Slovenian Istria consists mainly of carbonate flysch covered by Eutric Cambisol soils (the degree of base saturation is over 50 %), the type in which olive trees thrive best.

History:

Olive-oil production in Slovenian Istria is a tradition stretching far back into the past. The Greek historian Pausanius (180-115 BC) mentions Istrian olive oil in his Description of Greece (10.32.19). References to oil production in the region are also preserved in many sources from 1201 to the 17th century and right up to the present day (see detailed list in the application). These show how the production of olive oil in Slovenian Istria has developed through the centuries. Traditional methods and knowledge acquired down the centuries still contribute today to the high quality of the region's olive oil.

4.7 Inspection body:

Name: INSPECT d.o.o Bureau Veritas Company Address: Linhartova 49a, SLO-1000 Ljubljana Tel.: (386-1) 475 76 70 Fax: (386-1) 474 76 02 e-mail: inspect@bureauveritas.com

4.8 Labelling: ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ is labelled in accordance with Commission Regulation No 1019/2002 on marketing standards for olive oil.

‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ can be bottled only in Slovenian Istria. The designation ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ and the indication ‘prvo hladno prešanje’ [first cold pressing] or ‘hladno stiskanje’ [cold pressing] must be visible on the label.

To ensure traceability, the association will issue labels with serial numbers in accordance with the register of producers of olive oil of designated origin.

4.9 National requirements: Rules on the designation of geographical origin of ‘Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre’ (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No 47/04).

(1) European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural Product Quality Policy, B-1049 Brussels.