EN Official Journal of the European Union C 277/17

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

2013/C 277/14

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).

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

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

AMENDMENT APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9

‘POMME DE TERRE DE L’ÎLE DE RÉ’

EC No: FR-PDO-0105-0949-23.01.2012

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Heading in the 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 information on the responsible department in the Member State and on the applicant group; updated contact details of the structures responsible for inspecting the designation)

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 Sheet 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. Description of product

The following organoleptic description is added to the Specification:

‘It is a fresh vegetable with a fine skin. Organoleptically it is characterised by odors and aromas that bring to mind one or more of the following: the plant world, spring vegetables (for example asparagus, artichokes, peas, etc.), warm bread, dry fruit (for example hazelnuts, chestnuts, etc.), butter, with no earthy smell. It generally tastes predominantly sweet, with little or no salty or bitter tastes. The texture of the flesh is fine and melt-in-the-mouth, quite the opposite of floury and watery. It stays firm when cooked’.

This description is useful for the organoleptic examination of the product during inspection.

In addition, the definition of the early nature of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ has been supplemented and amended in order to be consistent with the national statutory definition. The term ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ is used to describe the texture of the product and replaces the term ‘firm’. The latter term may be confusing, because it provides information on the official category of the variety in the classification of French seed potatoes and does not refer to the texture of the product. The melt-in-the-mouth nature of the texture is shared by the two authorised potato categories (edible potatoes and edible potatoes with firm flesh).

3.2. Proof of origin

Owing to developments in national legislation and regulations, the heading ‘Evidence that the product originates in the defined geographical area’ has been consolidated to bring together, in particular, provisions on declaration obligations and on the keeping of registers for tracing the product and monitoring production conditions.

These amendments are related to the reform of the system for inspecting designations of origin introduced by Order No 2006-1547 of 7 December 2006 on increasing the value of agricultural, forestry, food and marine products. In particular, provisions have been included for authorising operators so as to acknowledge their ability to meet the specification of the designation from which they wish to benefit. Inspection of the specification for the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ PDO takes place according to an inspection plan drawn up by an inspection body.

Moreover, this heading contains several new provisions on registers and declaration documents making it possible to guarantee the traceability of the potato.

3.3. Method of production

3.4.1. ‘Varieties’

Additional information is provided on the culinary groups to which the authorised varieties must belong and on the fact that these varieties must be entered in the official national catalogue of cultivated species and varieties.

3.4.2. ‘Definition of crop parcels’

A definition of a crop parcel is introduced and specified. The definition is as follows: ‘“Crop parcel” refers to one or more cadastral parcels or parts of cadastral parcels that is/are located in the same municipality and where the same variety is planted on the same date’.

Location in the same municipality is specified so as to be in line with the current practice of industry operators.

3.4.3. ‘Planting date’

The deadline for planting is amended and postponed from 31 March to 10 April.

This amendment makes it possible to take into account recent changes in the climate and, more specifically, heavier rainfall in March, which disrupt planting and sometimes make it impossible to finish planting by the end of March.

The amendment does not affect the early nature of the potato, which will continue to be harvested and marketed before it is fully mature.

The reference to the planting method used (planting with a potting machine) is deleted, as that method is rare today. Nowadays the potato is planted mainly using planters with rows.

The reference to the planting depth is deleted. The planting depth is determined by each producer. Indeed, the producers must balance the requirements of their cultivation methods in order to obtain an early harvest (which means planting at a shallow depth) while limiting the risk of frost or greening caused by too shallow planting. Besides, the situation must be considered on a case-by-case basis for each parcel. Therefore it seems difficult to set a criterion that would be relevant and controllable in every situation.

3.4.4. ‘Planting density’

The planting density is amended by differentiating between two density ranges according to the size of the seed potato and by increasing the maximum planting density.

The planting density for seed potatoes larger than 45 millimetres varies between 38 000 and 58 000 seed potatoes per hectare.

The planting density for seed potatoes that are 45 millimetres or smaller varies between 45 000 and 78 000 seed potatoes per hectare.

This wording does not affect the provisions for large seed potatoes but does increase the planting density of small seed potatoes (45 millimetres or smaller). The increase aims at maintaining the production of potatoes smaller than 70 millimetres by stepping up the competition over natural resources among the seed potatoes through a higher density.

3.4.5. ‘Cultivation method’

More information is provided on the purpose of using sheeting placed directly on the ground. The objective is to promote the initial development of the seed potatoes.

3.4.6. ‘Fertilisation’

The term ‘preparations’, which defines a method of adding authorised fertiliser, is removed, because it is too vague.

A maximum limit for the addition of mineral nitrogen is introduced and set at 120 units per hectare per year.

3.4.7. ‘Irrigation’

The wording of this heading is simplified without amending its content.

3.4.8. ‘Haulm stripping’

Chemical haulm stripping is banned, as that method is no longer used on île de Ré.

3.4.9. ‘Yield’

A definition of yield at the level of individual farms is introduced and the average yield value at the level of individual crop parcels is amended.

The yield of all the crop parcels of a farm is set at a maximum of 26 tonnes per hectare.

The yield value at the level of individual crop parcels is raised to 30 tonnes per hectare in order to take into account yield variations on the different harvesting dates. The ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is harvested between May and July and certain varieties produce yields that exceed 26 tonnes per hectare at the end of the marketing year. This provision, which is applied selectively, makes it possible to take account of higher yields at the end of the marketing year. This prevents excessive differences in yield, as the average yield of a farm must still not exceed 26 tonnes per hectare.

3.4.10. ‘Dry matter’

The time of measuring the dry matter content is specified: it is measured on the day when the potatoes are lifted. This is the current practice of industry operators.

The maximum authorised dry matter contents are amended. The maximum dry matter content of edible varieties is raised to 20,5 % and the maximum dry matter content of edible varieties with firm flesh is raised to 21 %.

With these amendments it is possible to take into account recent changes in the climate (more precipitation in March and April and higher temperatures in May and June), which result in a faster and more marked accumulation of dry matter in the tubers but do not affect the organoleptic characteristics required for the designation. In the absence of cultivation methods that would make it possible to control the development of the dry matter content (early haulm stripping causes a thickening of the skin and a greater incidence of tuber diseases), it became necessary to raise the maximum authorised values in order to guarantee that the characteristics defined for the designation are preserved.

The amendments requested do not affect the early nature of the product nor its organoleptic characteristics, as evidenced by the tastings organised by the group.

3.4.11. ‘Size’

The reference to the maximum authorised size of the potatoes is moved from the heading ‘Description of the product’ to the sub-heading ‘Size’.

3.4.12. ‘Packaging’

It is specified that the potatoes must be packaged in distribution packaging that does not exceed 25 kilograms and makes it possible to identify their batches and origin, in accordance with the provisions of the Decree of 5 February 1998 on the controlled designation of origin ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’.

3.4. ‘Specific labelling details’

Use of the EU ‘PDO’ symbol is made compulsory.

3.5. ‘National requirements’

In accordance with the national reform of the inspection system for designations of origin, the specification is supplemented by a table listing the main points to be inspected, their reference value and the assessment methods to be used.

3.6. Other

3.9.1. Updated information on the responsible department in the Member State and on the applicant group

The name and contact details of the responsible department of the Member State are updated. Since 1 January 2007 the responsible department has been the Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité, pursuant to the French Framework Law on Agriculture of 5 January 2006.

The name, contact details and composition of the applicant group are updated in compliance with the statutes of the group validated on 30 August 2007.

3.9.2. The contact details of the structures responsible for monitoring the designation are updated

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (3)

‘POMME DE TERRE DE L’ÎLE DE RÉ’

EC No: FR-PDO-0105-0949-23.01.2012

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Name

‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’

2. Member State or Third Country

France

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 ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is an early potato under 70 mm in size.

Potatoes qualifying for the protected designation of origin ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ must come from the edible varieties of potatoes (Alcmaria, Goulvena, Pénélope, Starlette or Carrera) or the edible varieties of potatoes with firm flesh (Amandine, BF15, Charlotte or Roseval).

They are characterised by their melt-in-the-mouth texture and specific aromas that may have vegetable overtones. Their dry matter content on the day they are lifted is between 15 and 20,5 % for the Alcmaria, Goulvena, Pénélope, Starlette and Carrera varieties and between 16 and 21 % for the Amandine, BF15, Charlotte and Roseval varieties.

Harvested before they are completely mature, their skin is fine and comes off easily with simple scrubbing.

They are seasonal produce and can only be sold up to 31 July inclusive of the year of the harvest, and they are not suitable for long-term storage.

The ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is a fresh vegetable that must be marketed quickly after lifting.

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

All the steps, from germination to packaging, take place in the geographical area.

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

The ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is packaged in the geographical area in distribution packaging not exceeding 25 kg. The methods of packaging ensure that the batches and their origin can be identified, thereby helping to guarantee that the potatoes are traceable.

As the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is a product that is only marketed fresh, it must be packaged quickly after lifting.

Additionally the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is harvested before it is completely mature and for this reason it is a fragile product. It is therefore necessary to avoid any blows that could lead to a change in the skin, e.g: bruises and browning. As a consequence the producers take particular care at the stage of harvesting, but also during sorting and packaging, to preserve the characteristics of the potato.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

In addition to the particulars provided for in regulations on the trade in potatoes, the labelling of potatoes having the protected designation of origin ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ must include the name of the designation ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ as well as the EU PDO logo.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area corresponds to the territory of île de Ré, composed of the following municipalities: Ars-en-Ré, La Couarde-sur-Mer, Loix, Les Portes-en-Ré, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Le Bois-Plage-en Ré, La Flotte, Rivedoux-Plage, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

5.1.1. Natural factors

The geographical area of the designation of origin ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ corresponds to the 10 municipalities of the Charente-Maritime that make up île de Ré. Ile de Ré is located in the Atlantic Ocean three kilometres off the French coast, and it faces the municipality of La Rochelle.

Ile de Ré is part of the geological history of the northern edge of the Aquitaine Basin. It was created from different sedimentary deposits of coral reef and later of Jurassic argillaceous limestone. The limestone base of île de Ré was formed by this sedimentation dating from the secondary era and covered by argillaceous and eolian deposits during the quarternary era.

The different sedimentation phases resulted in a lowland landscape with rather even contours, where the highest point does not exceed 20 metres.

The most common soil types on the island are calcosol or calcisol on calcareous bedrock.

The demarcated areas reserved for the production of potatoes generally feature coastal soils of the brown calcareous or calcic type covered in sand and as well as soils with eolian deposits and a fine, sandy texture. These soils are light, dry and permeable. They are rich in potassium and phosphoric acid and generally poor in humus.

Another specificity of île de Ré is that it provides the producers with a source of natural fertiliser: kelp. This organic compost made of marine algae harvested on the beaches of the island used to be the only organic compost material on the island and is still used today by some producers. The advantage of kelp is that it decomposes more rapidly than cow dung, for example.

The island has a temperate oceanic climate. The temperate quality is more marked than on the continental coastline, because there is more sunshine and less rainfall and temperatures are milder. The reason for these differences is that the effects of the ocean are stronger on the island than on the continent.

The island's climate is characterised by plenty of sunshine, totalling about 2 300 hours a year, combined with much light, and by rainfall of less than 700 millimetres a year and an average annual temperature close to 13 °C. It rains principally in autumn and winter, and snow and frost are infrequent. In addition, île de Ré is exposed to hot and violent winds.

5.1.2. Human factors

The cultivation methods applied aim at reinforcing the early nature of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’. In particular, they include:

— setting a planting deadline in order to guarantee the early harvesting of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’, which may no longer be harvested after 31 July,

— a high planting density and close rows,

— if haulm stripping is carried out, it must be done mechanically only, so as to avoid altering the soil, which contributes to the organopeptic characteristics of the product.

5.2. Specificity of the product

5.2.1. Characteristics of the product

The ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is an early potato.

Its early maturity and small or medium size, which is less than 70 mm, gives it original organoleptic qualities: a melt-in-the-mouth flesh, odours after cooking that vary according to the season and range from vegetable-like to odours of dry fruit — as well as flavours that are almost always sweet, occasionally with slightly salty overtones.

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 climatic and soil factors of île de Ré combined with the producers' cultivation methods are at the origin of the special organoleptic characteristics and qualities of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’.

The early maturity of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is due to the land and local know-how. The light, dry and permeable soils, mild temperatures and subtantial amount of sunshine, together with the use of sheeting, allow the soil to warm up rapidly. The gain in maturity can be seen in germinators, when lifting the seed potatoes and up until harvesting.

Another reason for the quality of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is its maximum size of 70 mm, which contributes to the organoleptic qualities. Potatoes of this size are obtained through a combination of naturally regulated rainfall and a generally high planting density on the island. The good drying capacity of the soils, the mild temperatures, the heat and the violent winds that aid evapotranspiration also play a part in limiting the size of the potatoes. The high planting densities provide protection against the violent winds on the island.

In other words, the typical features of the ‘Pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ result from the ideal climate and soil conditions of the island, which are further enhanced by well-adapted cultivation methods and a judicious selection of varieties.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (4))

https://www.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/CDCPommeDeTerreDeLIleDeRe.pdf

(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) Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

(4) See footnote 3.