WRITTEN QUESTION E-1785/00 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Designation of origin for medlar fruit grown in Axarquìa (Malaga region, Spain).
Date: 2000-06-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, designation of origin, location of production, pip fruit, product designation

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/93

(2001/C 81 E/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1785/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Designation of origin for medlar fruit grown in Axarqu(cid:236)a (Malaga region, Spain)

The recent holding of the sixteenth Medlar Day in Sayalonga (Axarqu(cid:236)a district, Malaga province, Spain)
has once again drawn attention to the fact that the local authorities in Sayalonga have opened negotiations
with the Andalucia Regional Government(cid:146)s Agricultural Quality Department with a view to securing a
designation of origin for medlars grown in Axarqu(cid:236)a.

In this connection it should be pointed out that, with production totalling 600 000 kilos, Sayalonga is the
biggest producer of medlar in Malaga province. This also makes it, together with the town of Estepona
(also in the Malaga area), Andalusia(cid:146)s main medlar producer.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view regarding the application for a designation of origin to be applied to the
Sayalonga medlar, and what aid and protection can it provide for this unusual fruit, which is unique and
of particular importance amongst the exotic fruits grown within the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

The system for protecting geographical names of individual agricultural products having a clear link with a
precisely defined area is an arrangement open to Community producers who are prepared to define their
product and become involved in such a system on a voluntary basis. It entails an obligation to undergo
monitoring and comply with the product specification.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and
designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, under which this system was set up, was
adopted in order to support individual agricultural products that meet certain criteria through protection
of the name. The authorities of the Member State concerned must in any case first examine the application
for registration, which will, if justified, then be forwarded to the Commission.

The approach could be in line with the policy followed by the Community in this connection. It is
impossible, however, to give an opinion on the possibility of registering the name N(cid:237)spero de Axarqu(cid:237)a
without having access to the requisite details.

(2001/C 81 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1792/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer concerning the future of the EU

The Portuguese media have reported that the Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama wrote to his
German opposite number Joschka Fischer congratulating him heartily for the views he had expressed
publicly in Berlin on 12 May this year concerning the future of the European Union.

The Portuguese Minister(cid:146)s position was reported as representing the views of the current Portuguese
presidency.

Naturally enough, the Portuguese media only published what they were told directly.