Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin
Date: 2002-05-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Greece, designation of origin, labelling, leguminous vegetable, location of production, product designation, product quality

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Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EEC)
No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2002/C 120/05)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned
Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the
Member State concerned within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The
arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the
application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION: ARTICLE 5

PDO (

)

PGI (x)

National application No: EL-04/00-5

1. Responsible department in the Member State

Name:

∆/νση ΠΑΠ — Φυτών Μεγάλης Καλλιέργειας

(Directorate for Field Crop Production and Exploitation)

Address: Μενάνδρου 22, GR-105 52 Αθήνα ΤΚ

(Menandrou 22, GR-105 52 Athens)

Tel.

Fax

(30-10) 212 51 19 kai (30-10) 212 51 21

(30-10) 524 51 95.

2. Applicant group

2.1. Name:

‘Αγροτική Καστοριάς ΑΕ’ µε διακριτικό τίτλο ‘Agroka SA’

(Agrotiki Kastorias AE (business name: Agroka SA)

2.2. Address: Οικισµός Λακκωµάτων — ∆ήµου Ορεστίδος Ν. Καστοριάς

(Lakkomata, Orestida, Prefecture of Kastoria)

2.3. Composition: Producers/processors (x)

other (

).

With 212 members bean-growers of the Prefecture of Kastoria from all areas growing the product
(memorandum of association No 65/7.4.97) who hold 65 % by value of the shares. The remaining 35 %
is a contribution of the then Commune of Lakkomata, now a constituent part of the Municipality of
Orestida. The company's structure is governed by Article 2 of PD 410/95 (GG321).

3. Type of product: Class 1.6.

4. Specification

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2)):

4.1. Name: Φασόλια Γίγαντες — Ελέφαντες Καστοριάς (Fasolia Gigantes — Elefantes Kastorias)

4.2. Description: Beans are annual climbing plants with long slender stems and compound leaves
reaching a final height of more than 2 metres. They belong to the Papilionaceae family (legumes).
The Phaseolus genus contains 250 species. The varieties grown in the Prefecture of Kastoria belong
to the species Phaseolus coccineus (multiflorus).

— The symbiotic association of the nitrogen-fixing Bacterium radicola with the fleshy nodular roots

permits absorption of up to 40 kg/ha of atmospheric nitrogen.

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— The stem is slender, pliant and cylindrical and twines continuously from left to right.

— The compound leaves consist of three leaflets.

— The flowers comprise a five-part calyx, a five-part white corolla, 10 stamens and a pistil. They
are produced in large axillary clusters opening successively from the base to the tip of the
plant.

— The elephant/giant beans are cross-pollinated plants.

— The fruit is a white kidney-shaped pod. A legume of large size, it is consumed cooked in the
oven or stewed with added plant products (oil, onion, tomato, celery, carrot) that complete the
‘Mediterranean character’ of the dish.

Nutritional value is very high, it is an excellent source of protein, starch, iron, etc. and has a low
fat content.

Joint Decision No 37227/25.9.87 of

Under
541/B/9-10-87) the following definitions and tolerances apply:

the Ministers for Agriculture and Trade (GG

1. Elephant beans: Minimum weight per 1 000 beans 1 800 grams or 90 % of the beans unable to

pass through a sieve with 13 mm diameter round holes.

2. Giant beans: Weight per 1 000 beans 1 200 to 1 800 grams or 90 % of the beans able to pass
through a sieve with 13 mm diameter round holes but not one with 12 mm diameter round
holes.

3. In the pre-packed beans:

(a) broken beans less than half the whole bean in size: up to 2 %;

(b) shrivelled/discoloured beans: up to 0,5 %;

(c)

foreign matter: up to 0,05 % (maximum earth 0,02 %).

4.3. Geographical area: Bean cultivation in the Prefecture of Kastoria is located on the banks of the
River Aliakmonas and its tributaries and in areas where land consolidation has occurred that have
organised irrigation networks guaranteeing supply of the abundant water that cultivation requires.
Of secondary importance is cultivation on the banks of Lake Kastoria.

About 900 ha of ground within the cultivation zone is used to grow Kastoria elephants/giants.
The zone's altitude ranges from 630 to 900 metres. The soils are alluvial, light, free draining and
on the whole slightly acid.

The climate of the cultivation zone is continental with cool summers owing to its altitude and
proximity to the waters of Lake Kastoria and the River Aliakmonas. In addition the presence of the
lake conduces to a mild spring. An average annual rainfall of around 600 mm completes the
requirements of the water-loving bean plant.

The ‘special’ climate that conduces to the excellence of the product is however in large measure
due to an exceptional phenomenon. The whole area is an extensive plateau protected by the Vitsi
mountain and the Grammos mountain range. A basin in which even when there are winds they
are always light.

The cultivation zone is:

1. the entire municipality of Ion Dragoumis;

2. the entire municipality of Makedna;

3. the entire municipality of Agioi Anarguroi;

4. the entire municipality of Korestia;

5. the entire municipality of Kastoria;

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6. the entire municipality of Vitsio;

7. the entire municipality of Aliakmonas;

8. the entire municipality of Agia Triada;

9. part of the municipality of Orestida (formerly municipality of Argos Orestiko and formerly
communes of Ammoudara, Asprokklisia, Dialekto, Kastanofito, Lakkomata, Melanthi and
Spilea);

10. part of the municipality of Nestori (formerly commune of Ptelea);

11. part of the commune of Kastraki (formerly commune of Dendrokhori).

The actual cultivation areas adjoin one another.

4.4. Proof of origin: Beans originated in southern Mexico and central America. According to radio-
active carbon studies Phaseolus coccineus (multiflorus) was domesticated in Mexico around 2000 BC
It is believed that beans were brought to Europe in the middle of the 16th century, first to England
and Spain, and reached Greece at the end of that century. They first appeared around lowland
urban centres but given their physiology cultivation quickly spread to remote upland areas. One of
these is the Prefecture of Kastoria, where ideal soil, ideal climate and excellent cultivation tech-
niques cooperate in the creation of varieties and a product that wins the markets. A product that
on account of the Greeks' partiality for it and its special place in their diet has been described as a
‘national food’.

Area and cultivation data within the delimited zone recorded under and its accuracy guaranteed
by:

(a) the compensatory allowance scheme;

(b) the integrated control system for agricultural holdings;

(c)

the remote surveillance programme.

All three are regulated by Community legislation and implemented by the Agriculture Directorate.

Control procedures and certification of the product will be carried out by the designated State
agencies on the basis of the legislation in force for designated origin and geographical indication
products.

The detailed checking will involve chemical analysis by these agencies, which will also exercise a
control function in regard to labelling in that they will attest the veracity of the indications
compulsory under the national and Community legislation in force (e.g. lot numbering, possible
use of the Community symbol, etc.).

In Greece, elephants and giants are the only dried beans with a 1 000 bean weight above 1 200
grams.

4.5. Method of production

4.5.1. Harvesting: Harvesting of the pods by hand starts at the beginning of September and lasts
for up to three months. A crop is taken from the plant up to three times, since ripening of
the pods is progressive from the base of the plant to the tip. The pods are spread out on
floors for natural drying in the sun to the stage when they separate easily from the seeds on
being beaten with pliant rods.

4.5.2. Conservation: The separated seeds are, if necessary, spread out in the sun until they reach the
desirable moisture content of around 12 %. They are then sorted through by hand for
removal of foreign bodies, broken and damaged seeds and seeds foreign to the variety,
put into sacks and stored under hygienic conditions without any particular problem owing
to their durable nature.

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4.5.3. Market preparation and disposal: At the new grading/packing station of Agrotiki Kastorias,
grading and packaging will be done using state of the art machines and methods guaran-
teeing the select quality of the product.

Polypropylene bags holding 0,5 kg and 1 kg will be filled automatically and then put into
10-20 kg boxes.

The whole procedure is electronically controlled and uses automatic measuring equipment.

Grading involves automatic separation of the product into three size categories as indicated
in the application for recognition, following a check on varietal authenticity and cleaning
and disinfection using mild procedures (physical separation/Ecogen system).

The product is distributed direct to a network of food shops throughout Greece using the
vehicles of Agrotiki Kastorias AE.

The immediate aims are the commercial security of the product, protection of the consumer
and also penetration of foreign markets, which will be possible only through the PGI
recognition procedure.

4.6. Link: The soil and climate of the area contribute decisively to production of the exceptional
elephant/giant beans of Kastoria. The medium-textured slightly acid soil with excellent drainage
and the Mediterranean continental climate of the area are harmoniously collaborating factors in
production of the beans that have been part of the life of the inhabitants of the area for 300 years.

The cultivation technique applied is a tradition handed down from generation to generation. To
grow a product of such excellent quality is not a matter of expedients but of longstanding
experience put into practice by growers using their ‘eye’ and their own hands.

In this area bean cultivation is part of the economy and its importance is reflected in tradition,
customs and festivals.

— Annual bean fair at Lakkomata.

— Dish of beans served to the guests at the festival on the anniversary of the death of the

Macedonian freedom fighter Pavlos Melas at the place bearing his name.

— Bean festivals at various locations at harvest time with associated local cultural and folklore

events.

— Events showing the inhabitants' historical and social links with the product.

4.7. Inspection body

Name:

Νοµαρχιακή Αυτοδιοίκηση Καστοριάς
∆ιεύθυνση Γεωργίας
(Agriculture Directorate, Prefectural Administration of Kastoria)

Address: GR-521 00 Καστορία ∆ιοικητήριο (GR-52100 Kastoria).

4.8. Labelling: It is compulsory for the packaging of the product to carry the indication ‘Fasolia

Gigantes-Elefantes Kastorias PGI’ and those specified in Article 4(7) of PD 81/93.

4.9. National requirements: The general provisions of PD 81/93 on PDO and PGI production

procedures apply.

EC No: G/EL/00123/2000.04.05.

Date of receipt of the full application: 14 December 2000.