1999/266/EC: Commission Decision of 8 April 1999 approving the conditions of utilisation of the graphic symbol for quality agricultural products specific to the region of the Azores (notified under document number C(1999) 855)
Date: 1999-04-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Azores, agricultural product, designation of origin, location of production, product quality, quality label

21. 4. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 104/29

COMMISSION DECISION

of 8 April 1999

approving the conditions of utilisation of the graphic symbol for quality agricul-
tural products specific to the region of the Azores

(notified under document number C(1999) 855)

(Only the Portuguese text is authentic)

(1999/266/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92
of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the
Azores and Madeira relating to certain agricultural prod-
ucts (1), as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No
2348/96 (2) and in particular Article 31(3) thereof,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1418/
96 of 22 July 1996 laying down detailed rules for the use
of a graphic symbol
for quality agricultural products
specific to the most remote regions (3),

Whereas, pursuant to Article 31(2) of Regulation (EEC)
No 1600/92, a graphic symbol has been devised to
improve awareness and encourage the consumption of
quality processed and unprocessed agricultural products
specific to the regions of the Azores and Madeira; whereas
the Commission published that graphic symbol and the
conditions governing its reproduction in Regulation (EC)
No 2054/96 (4);

Whereas, in accordance with Article 31(3) of Regulation
(EEC) No 1600/92, the conditions of utilisation of the
graphic symbol for quality agricultural products specific
to the regions of
the Azores and Madeira are to be
proposed by the trade organisations, forwarded by the
national authorities and approved by the Commission;
whereas, together with a favourable opinion, the Portu-
guese authorities have forwarded those conditions of util-
isation and the administrative rules on the basis of which

the competent authorities of the Azores intend granting
rights to use the graphic symbol;

Whereas those conditions of utilisation are in line with
the objectives for which the graphic symbol was intro-
duced; whereas those conditions of utilisation should
accordingly be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The conditions of utilisation of the graphic symbol for
quality agricultural products specific to the region of the
Azores, as presented by the Portuguese authorities and set
out in the Annex hereto, are hereby approved.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Portuguese Republic.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal
of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 8 April 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 173, 27.6.1992, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 320, 11.12.1996, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 182, 23.7.1996, p. 9.
(4) OJ L 280, 31.10.1996, p. 1.

L 104/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21. 4. 1999

ANNEX

Extract from the order in Council (portaria) of the autonomous region of the Azores setting out the conditions
of utilisation and the administrative rules for the application of the graphic symbol for quality agricultural
products specific to the region of the Azores.

Autonomous region of the Azores

Regional secretariat for agriculture, fisheries and environment

DRAFT ORDER IN COUNCIL (PORTARIA)

(Extract)

Article 1

1.
The graphic symbol introduced, pursuant to Article 31 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92, shall
be used solely for processed and unprocessed agricultural and fishery products specific to the autonomous
region of the Azores as a most remote region.

Unprocessed agricultural and fishery products must have been obtained in the autonomous region of the

2.
Azores.

Where the main characteristic is the raw material used, at least 90 % by volume of the processed products
specific to the autonomous region of the Azores must have been obtained locally.

Where the main characteristic of the processed products is the method of production or manufacturing,
consideration shall be given to the specific nature of that method of production or manufacturing.

The products must possess special characteristics as products of the autonomous region of the Azores;
3.
these may cover the conditions, methods and techniques of production or manufacturing and compliance with
standards of presentation and packaging.

4.

The graphic symbol shall be used solely for products of superior quality.

Quality shall be defined by reference to Community regulations or, where none such exist, international
standards.

Where no Community or international standards exist, the applicable standards shall be laid down by the
regional secretariat for agriculture, fisheries and environment on the basis of proposals from the trade
organisations.