EN Official Journal of the European Union C 132/17

Publication of an 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

2013/C 132/12

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2)

‘MELONE MANTOVANO’

EC No: IT-PGI-0005-0883-13.07.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name

‘Melone Mantovano’

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 the product to which the name in point 1 applies

The protected geographical indication (PGI) ‘Melone Mantovano’ denotes fresh melons, with amber flesh tending towards salmon-coloured, of the following two botanical varieties of Cucumis melo L.:

— cantalupensis (cantaloup melon), with smooth spherical or spheroid fruits and a grey-green to yellow skin,

— reticulatus (netted melon), with mostly rounded or oval fruits, with or without grooves, but with a visible lattice (netting) on the skin.

The table below shows the quality, sensory and calibre characteristics of the various fruit types:

Fruit characteristics Smooth type Netted type Shape Spherical or spheroid Oval or rounded Epicarpal (skin) colour Straw-yellow Straw-yellow or green, with or without grooves Mesocarpal (flesh) colour Amber Amber-salmon Thickness of flesh ≥ 24 mm ≥ 24 mm Firmness of flesh ≥ 0,5 kg on a surface equivalent to a circle 8 mm in diameter ≥ 0,5 kg on a surface equivalent to a circle 8 mm in diameter Sugar content ≥ 12 °Brix ≥ 12 °Brix

The cultivars used belong in particular to the following reference types: ‘Honey Moon’ (smooth type), ‘Harper’ (netted type without grooves) and ‘Supermarket’ (netted type with grooves). In general, ‘Melone Mantovano’ is characterised by its typical flavour and aroma (mushroom, watermelon, lime-blossom and courgette aromas, which also influence its sensory profile), its moist amber to salmon-coloured flesh, which is particularly thick, fibrous and firm, its sugar content of ≥ 12 °Brix and a significant mineral salt and potassium content, generally above the levels found in other melon-growing areas.

The calibre of the fruit (pepos) is determined by the weight and the maximum diameter of the longitudinal axis of the fruit. For smooth or netted ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI the minimum calibres are: 800 g weight and 10 cm diameter; a maximum weight only has also been fixed of 2 000 g.

When sold in ready-to-eat form, the two types of ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI may also be cut, sliced and peeled. When cut and peeled as a ready-to-eat product, ‘Melone Mantovano’ must have the same aromatic characteristics, sugar content, colour and flesh firmness as the whole fruit.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only)

—

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

The melon production steps, from growing to harvesting, must take place in the geographical production area defined in point 4.

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

As they are climacteric fruit, ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI must be sorted and labelled within 24 hours of being harvested, either directly at the holding or in ad-hoc processing units. Moreover, when sold as a ready-to-eat product, ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI may be cut, sliced and peeled after sorting and labelling. In order to best preserve its flavour, ready-to-eat ‘Melone Mantovano’ must be refrigerated, cut and packaged within 24 hours of being harvested.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

The words ‘Melone Mantovano Indicazione Geografica Protetta’ or its abbreviation ‘IGP’ and the EU symbol must appear, clearly and perfectly legibly, on packaging used either for whole fruit or for the ready-to-eat product. Together with the protected geographical indication, indications and/or images referring to company names, trade names or logos of consortia or individual companies may be used. The logo of the ‘Melone Mantovano’ denomination must be affixed to whole fruit. A label with the logo of the ‘Melone Mantovano’ denomination must be affixed to whole fruit.

The logo consists of a stylised image of a melon on a gridded circle, inside which, against a white background, can be seen the words ‘Melone Mantovano I.G.P’. The words ‘Indicazione Geografica Protetta’ or the abbreviation ‘IGP’ may be repeated in another area of the packaging or labels.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI comprises various municipalities in Mantua, Cremona, Modena, Bologna and Ferrara provinces. In Mantua province the production area comprises the entire administrative area of the municipalities of Borgoforte, Carbonara di Po, Castellucchio, Cavriana, Ceresara, Commessaggio, Dosolo, Felonica, Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, Gazzuolo, Goito, Magnacavallo, Marcaria, Mariana Mantovana, Piubega, Poggio Rusco, Pomponesco, Quistello, Redondesco, Rivarolo Mantovano, Rodigo, Sabbioneta, San Benedetto Po, San Martino dall'Argine, Sermide and Viadana. In Borgoforte municipality the border of the production area in the east is the bridge over the River Po, while that in the north is the SS 62 road. In the west it is bordered by the Dugale Gherardo road up to the limits of Curtatone municipality. For Marcaria municipality the border of the production area in the south is the SS 10 Padana Inferiore road.

In Cremona province the production area comprises the entire administrative area of the following municipalities: Casalmaggiore, Casteldidone, Gussola, Martignana di Po, Rivarolo del Re ed Uniti, San Giovanni in Croce, Solarolo Rainerio and Spineda.

In Modena province the production area comprises the entire administrative area of the following municipalities: Concordia, Mirandola and San Felice sul Panaro.

In Bologna province the production area comprises the entire administrative area of the following municipalities: Crevalcore, Galiera and San Giovanni in Persiceto.

In Ferrara province the production area comprises the entire administrative area of the following municipalities: Bondeno, Cento and Sant’Agostino.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The climate and soil conditions in the production area are specific and highly favourable to growing high-quality melons.

The climate, characterised by cold winters and hot, humid summers, as well as by fairly uniform temperatures, favours the development of the melon plants and encourages regular flowering and fruit setting. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 2,7 °C, while the hottest month is July, with average temperatures of 25 °C; annual average solar radiation is 1 331 kWh/m2. The flat area of fluvial and fluvioglacial origin, formed over centuries by the erosion and deposits caused by the rivers Oglio, Mincio, Secchia, Panaro and Po, has a relatively shallow watertable and a total annual rainfall of between 600 mm and 700 mm. The altitude varies between 50 metres above sea level in the most southerly section (Rodigo) and 10 metres above sea level near the river Po.

From the soil maps of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions it can be seen that the production area of ‘Melone Mantovano’ has highly fertile soils, generally of the fluvisol, vertisol, calcisol and luvisol types, as described in the FAO's World Reference Base for Soil Resources (FAO — WRB, 1998).

5.2. Specificity of the product

The characteristics which make ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI unique compared to other products in the same commercial category are its typical flavour, its moist, amber to salmon-coloured, particularly thick (24 mm or more), fibrous and firm flesh (a firmness of 0,5 kg or more, measured on the median part of the flesh using a dynamometer with an 8 mm tip), its high sugar content of greater than or equal to 12 °Brix, and an average mineral salt and potassium content which is generally higher than in other melon-growing areas. Other characteristics which best describe ‘Melone Mantovano’ are its aromas of mushroom, watermelon, lime-blossom and courgette, which also influence its sensory profile, obtained using the ‘conventional QDA (qualitative descriptive analysis) profile’ method carried out with the aid of ‘generalised procrustes analysis (GPA)’.

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 particularly long and vigorous roots of ‘Melone Mantovano’ PGI can easily penetrate the deep and permeable soils of the production area. This guarantees regular water supplies and nutrients to the plant and avoids any kind of stress during the delicate periods of fruit setting and growth. Moreover, the artesian water used for irrigation has a high concentration of dissolved mineral salts; this, too, improves the melons' organoleptic and qualitative characteristics. During the growing period the combination of high average temperatures, solar radiation and low rainfall, along with the balanced and regular supply of water and nutrients, is reflected in the melons' high sugar content and typical aromas, as seen from the sensory profiles listed in the Lombardy region's research reports (Quaderni della ricerca della Regione Lombardia).

Melon-growing in the favourable soils of Mantua province and of certain neighbouring municipalities in the provinces of Modena, Bologna, Ferrara and Cremona is time-honoured, with many historical and bibliographical references, such as the documents dating from the end of the 15th century in the Gonzaga family archives. Among these documents are detailed notes on the ‘production of melons from these lands’. These testimonies also attest to how good the local growers were at selecting varieties and adopting growing methods which allowed them to produce good quality melons, methods which have continued to this day. This is proved by the numerous promotional events organised by the local administrations (festivals, fairs, traditional celebrations) and which take place each year in many parts of the ‘Melone Mantovano’ production area; these are also aimed at publicising the melon's organoleptic qualities and gastronomic uses among consumers from the locality and beyond. The best-known festivals which each year bring in visitors and fans of the various ways of preparing melon (antipasti, risotto, sauces and desserts) include the ‘Melonaria’ and the ‘Fiere e Sagre del “Melone tipico Mantovano” ’ which have for some time now been held in the municipalities of Sermide, Viadana, Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, Rodigo, Castellucchio, Goito and Casteldidone, as well as in the city of Mantua.

These important results and the reputation gained over a long period, which have been recognised and acclaimed in many specialised press articles (‘Melone Mantovano’,Fresh Point magazine, Supplement No 6 of June 2009, ed. Il sole 24 ore business media — 2009; report on the national congress on ‘Melone Mantovano’, 12.6.2009, Mantua; ‘Speciale melone — la produzione il mercato la realtà mantovana’, Supplement to No 24 of 2004 — Terra e Vita, ed. Edagricole; Zerbinati, F., ‘Melone positivo in serra, male in pieno campo’, L’informatore Agrario, No 46/2002, p. 44; report on the national congress on ‘The melon culture in Italy’, 7.2.1979, Verona), have been due to a combination of the melon-growing culture (which is a heritage of know-how passed down from generation to generation) and the soil and climate characteristics of the geographical area of production.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (3))

The Ministry launched the national procedure to allow objections to the proposed amendment to the ‘Melone Mantovano’ protected geographical indication in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 130 of 7 June 2011.

The full text of the product specification is available on the following website:

http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

by going direct to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (http://www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità e sicurezza’ (on the top right of the screen) and then on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

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

(3) See footnote 2.