EN Official Journal of the European Union C 136/16

Publication of an amendment 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

2012/C 136/11

This publication confers the right to object to the amendment application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

AMENDMENT APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9

‘CIPOLLA ROSSA DI TROPEA CALABRIA’

EC No: IT-PGI-0105-0369-28.09.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment:

—  Name of product —  Description of product —  Geographical area —  Proof of origin — ☒ Method of production —  Link —  Labelling —  National requirements — ☒ Other (updated legal references)

2. Type of amendment(s):

— ☒ Amendment to Single Document or Summary Sheet —  Amendment to Specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the Single Document nor the Summary has been published —  Amendment to Specification that requires no amendment to the published Single Document (Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006) —  Temporary amendment to Specification resulting from imposition of obligatory sanitary or phytosanitary measures by public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

3. Amendment(s):

3.1. Method of production:

— In Article 5(6) and (7): ‘After the cipollotto bulbs have been harvested, the earth-covered outer layer is removed, the foliage is cut at 40 cm and the bulbs are then placed in trays in bundles. In the case of cipolla da consumo fresco, the outer layer of the bulbs is also removed and foliage is cut if it is longer than 60 cm. The onions are then tied in bundles of 5-8 kg and placed in trays or crates.’ is replaced by: ‘After the cipollotto bulbs have been harvested, the earth-covered outer layer is removed, the foliage is cut at lengths varying between 30 and 60 cm and the bulbs are then placed in trays in bundles. In the case of cipolla da consumo fresco, the outer layer of the bulbs is removed and the foliage is cut at lengths varying between 35 and 60 cm. The onions are then tied in bundles of 1,5-6 kg and placed in trays or crates.’

— In Article 9(2): ‘Bulbs carrying the PGI “Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria” must be packaged as follows in order to be released for consumption: — cipollotti must be tied in bundles and placed in cardboard, plastic or wooden trays ready for sale; — cipolla da consumo fresco must be tied in 5-8 kg bundles and placed in trays or crates.’ is replaced by: ‘Bulbs carrying the PGI “Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria” must be packaged as follows in order to be released for consumption: — cipollotti must be tied in bundles and placed in cardboard, plastic or wooden trays ready for sale; — cipolla da consumo fresco must be tied in 1,5-6 kg bundles and placed in trays or crates.’ The provisions on the preparation of the product for packaging have been amended to allow greater choice as regards package sizes and meet new market requirements relating to packaging.

— In Article 9(4): ‘There must be at least six bulbs, regardless of their diameter, to be presented in plaits and the number and weight in any one package must be the same.’ is replaced by: ‘There must be at least six bulbs, regardless of their diameter, to be presented in plaits.’ As regards the traditional ‘plait’, local producers are allowed greater scope to customise the way it is made in terms of the number of bulbs used and their diameter.

— In Article 9(7): ‘When released for consumption, cipollotti and cipolla da consumo fresco tied in bundles and cipolla da serbo in plaits must carry a sticker containing the logo and brand to allow the product to be clearly identified.’ is replaced by: ‘When released for consumption, cipollotti and cipolle da serbo in plaits must carry a sticker or similar containing the EU logo and the product logo; as for cipolle da consumo fresco placed in trays or crates, each bundle must carry the full label containing the registered name of the firm, the EU logo, the product logo and the product type to ensure its traceability and allow it to be clearly identified.’ For Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria of the type cipolla da consumo fresco in bundles, each bundle must carry a label containing the registered name of the firm, the EU logo and the product logo as well as the product type. Each bundle will thus bear a label containing all the information necessary for the consumer to correctly identify the product.

3.2. Updated legal reference:

— References in the product specification to Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 have been updated.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘CIPOLLA ROSSA DI TROPEA CALABRIA’

EC No: IT-PGI-0105-0369-28.09.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name:

‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’

2. Member State or Third Country:

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1. Type of product:

Group 1.6: Fresh or processed fruit, vegetables and cereals

3.2. Description of product to which the name in (1) applies:

The protected geographical indication (PGI) ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ denotes bulbs of the species Allium Cepa exclusively from the local ecotypes listed below, which have a characteristic shape and are produced early, owing to the effect of the photoperiod:

— ‘Tondo Piatta’, an early crop;

— ‘Mezza Campana’, a mid to early crop;

— ‘Allungata’, a late crop.

There are three types of product:

‘Cipollotto’: — colour: white to pink or purple — flavour: sweet and tender — size: see the standards applicable under EU rules;

‘Cipolla da consumo fresco’ (for fresh consumption): — colour: white to pink or purple — flavour: sweet and tender — size: see the standards applicable under EU rules;

‘Cipolla da serbo’ (for storage): — colour: white to purple — flavour: sweet and crunchy — size: see the standards applicable under EU rules.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4. Animal feed (for products of animal origin only):

—

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

All steps in the production of ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’, from sowing to harvest, must take place in the geographical production area.

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

Once the bulbs of the ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ have been harvested, they are processed as follows:

— The earth-covered outer layer is removed, the foliage is cut at lengths varying between 30 and 60 cm and the bulbs are then placed in trays in bundles.

— In the case of cipolla da consumo fresco, the outer layer of the bulbs is removed and the foliage is cut at lengths varying between 35 and 60 cm. The onions are then tied in bundles of 1,5-6 kg and placed in trays or crates.

— For cipolle da serbo, the bulbs are placed on the ground in windrows covered with their own foliage and left for 8 to 15 days to dry, become more compact and resistant and develop a bright red colour. Once dried, the bulbs may be topped or the foliage left for plaiting. There must be at least six bulbs, regardless of their diameter, to be presented in plaits. Cipolle da serbo must be packaged in bags or trays of varying weights up to a maximum of 25 kg.

All packaging must take place in the production area in accordance with established local practices and long-standing traditions in order to ensure product traceability and control and to maintain product quality.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:

The containers must bear, in printed characters double the size of any other print, the wording ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ PGI with the type of onion (either ‘cipollotto’, ‘cipolla da consumo fresco’ or ‘cipolla da serbo’) specified, together with the product logo.

When released for consumption, cipollotti and cipolle da serbo in plaits must carry a sticker or similar with the EU logo and the product logo; as for ‘cipolla da consumo fresco’ placed in trays or crates, each bundle must carry the full label containing the registered name of the firm, the EU logo, the product logo and the type of product in question to ensure its traceability and allow it to be clearly identified.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area:

The production area of ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ PGI covers suitable land in all or part of the following municipalities in the region of Calabria:

(a) Province of Cosenza: part of the municipalities of Fiumefreddo, Longobardi, Serra d'Aiello, Belmonte and Amantea.

(b) Province of Catanzaro: part of the municipalities of Nocera Terinese, Falerna, Gizzeria, Lamezia Terme and Curinga.

(c) Province of Vibo Valentia: part of the municipalities of Pizzo, Vibo Valentia, Briatico, Parghelia, Zambrone, Zaccanopoli, Zungri, Drapia, Tropea, Ricadi, Spilinga, Joppolo and Nicotera.

5. Link with the geographical area:

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:

‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ is grown in medium, sand-rich loam or in heavy loam rich in clay or lime, in the coastal area or around alluvial rivers and streams which, despite the gravel, does not restrict the growth and development of the bulbs. Coastal land is ideal for growing early onions for fresh consumption. Inland areas with heavier, clay-rich soil are ideal for growing late onions for storage. Today as in the past, red onions are grown in family vegetable patches as well as in large crops and form part of the rural landscape, local food and dishes and traditional recipes.

The soil and climate conditions in the defined area contribute to the high quality and uniqueness of the product, which is widely acclaimed the world over.

5.2. Specificity of the product:

The ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ is known for its qualitative and organoleptic characteristics, including the tenderness and sweetness of the bulb and its high digestibility. These characteristics enable the ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ also to be consumed raw, in larger quantities than for normal onions.

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 application to register the PGI ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ is justified by the product's reputation and recognition thanks partly to a number of advertising campaigns, as shown in historical and bibliographical references. Historical and bibliographical references credit the arrival of onions in the Mediterranean basin and Calabria first to the Phoenicians and then to the Greeks. Highly appreciated in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, it was considered a staple food and key to the local economy where it was bartered for, sold, and exported by sea to Tunisia, Algeria and Greece. The many travellers who went to Calabria between 1700 and 1800 and visited the Tyrrhenian coast between Pizzo and Tropea frequently refer to the red onions commonly found there. Onions have always been a feature of the rural diet and of local production. Dr Albert, who travelled to Calabria in 1905 and visited Tropea, was struck by the poverty of the local people who ate only onions. In the early 1900s, onion growing in Tropea moved from the family garden and vegetable patch and became a major crop. In 1929, the Valle Ruffa aqueduct paved the way for irrigation and, as a result, better yields and quality. The product became more widespread during the Bourbon period, reaching north European markets and swiftly becoming sought after and prized, as described in Studi sulla Calabria — 1901, which refers to the shape of the bulb, the red oblong onions from Calabria. The first organised statistical information on onion-growing in Calabria is contained in the Reda agricultural encyclopaedia (1936-1939). Because of its unique characteristics, which have helped forge a nationwide reputation and, above all, its historical and cultural significance in the area concerned, a significance that is still reflected today in farming practices, cooking, in everyday language and folkloric events, attempts have been made to imitate the product and make unauthorised use of the designation.

Reference to publication of the specification:

The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the amendment application regarding the ‘Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria’ PGI in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 185 of 10 August 2011.

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

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 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.