Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin
Date: 2006-01-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Portugal, designation of origin, labelling, location of production, potato, product quality

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

(2006/C 3/04)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the above-
mentioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in
a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article
12(3) 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.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

‘BATATA DE TRÁS-OS-MONTES’

EC No: PT/00217/10.12.2001

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary has been drawn up for information purposes only. For full details interested parties, in par-
ticular the producers of products covered by the PGI in question, are invited to consult the complete
version of the specification, obtainable at national level or from the European Commission (1).

1.

Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

INSTITUTO DE DESENVOLVIMENTO RURAL E HIDRÁULICA

Address: Av. Afonso Costa, 3.

P-1949-002 Lisboa

351 21 844 22 00

351 21 844 22 02

Tel.:

Fax:

E-mail:

idrha@idrha.min-agricultura.pt

2.

Group:

Name:

COOPERATIVA AGRÍCOLA NORTE TRANSMONTANO, CRL

Address: Av. General Ribeiro de Carvalho
P-5400-497 Chaves

Tel.:

Fax:

351 276 62 23 69

351 276 32 23 69

E-mail:

cant@net.sapo.pt

Composition: producer/processor (X) other ( )

3.

Type of product:

Category 1.6: Fruit, vegetables and cereals (in natural state or processed)

4.

Specification:

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

(1) European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture, Agricultural product quality policy Unit, B-1049 Brus-

sels.

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4.1. N a me :

‘Batata de Trás-os-Montes’

4.2. De scr i p ti on:

The Batata de Trás-os-Montes is a tuber of Solanum tuberosum L., a plant of the Solanaceae family,
commonly known as the potato plant, grown under the special agri-environmental conditions found
in the mountains and valleys of Trás-os-Montes. The cultivars used are: Desiree, Kennebec, Jaerla and
Atlantic. Its shape is roughly cylindrical and tends to vary depending on the variety, but is homoge-
neous within each variety and batch. The skin consists of a layer of suberised cells, light in colour, i.e.
from dirty white to a reddish chestnut. When cut, it has a moist, yellowish-white and perfectly even
appearance, without eyes. The outside has a suberised layer, almost always slightly darker (light pink
or reddish) than the inside. Thanks to the agri-environmental conditions found in Trás-os-Montes, in
particular the warmth provided by well manured and hoed soils, the Batata de Trás-os-Montes has a
pleasant, very typical and slightly sweet taste, a similarly pleasant earthy smell and, compared with
other potatoes, an uncommonly high starch content, which averages 78 % in the dry matter.

4.3. G e og r a p h i ca l a r e a :

As a result of its requirements in terms of soil and climate, its organoleptic characteristics and the
varieties used, the know-how of the people and the local methods which have always been followed
conscientiously, the geographical area of production, processing and packing of the Batata de Trás-os-
Montes is naturally bounded by the mountains and valleys of Trás-os-Montes, comprising the munici-
palities of Boticas, Bragança, Chaves, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Montalegre, Valpaços, Vila Pouca de
Aguiar and Vinhais, the parishes of Carvas, Fiolhoso, Jou, Palheiros, Valongo de Milhais and Vilares in
the municipality of Murça, the parishes of Pópulo, Ribalonga and Vila Verde in the municipality of
Alijó, the parishes of Aguieiras, Bouça, Fradizela, S. Pedro Velho, Torre de D. Chama, Vale de
Gouvinhas and Vale de Telhas in the municipality of Mirandela, the parishes of Agrobom, Gebelim,
Pombal, Saldonha, Sambade, Soeima and Vales in the municipality of Alfândega da Fé, and the
parishes of Argozelo, Carção, Matela, Pinelo and Santulhão in the municipality of Vimioso.

4.4. Pr oof of or i g i n:

In addition to the flavour, which is linked to the region, the entire production process is subject to a
special system of checks, culminating in the placing of the certification mark on the packaging,
thereby allowing the product to be fully traceable; thanks to grower and packing station registers it is
possible at any moment to establish the origin and variety of the potatoes and the quantities
concerned, the type of packaging used, the numbers on the certification marks, and the destination of
the packaging.

4.5. M e th od of p r odu c ti on:

The method of production has not changed substantially over time. Potato-growing — practised for a
maximum of three consecutive years on the same parcel — may be extensive (in which case the pota-
toes are grown in rotation with cereals or other annual crops) or intensive (i.e. market gardening in
rotation with vegetables or maize). A key operation is the manuring of the soil in the winter. This
involves the use of natural organic material, a practice which is typical of the region and, together
with the making of furrows and the spacing used (60 × 40 cm), contributes decisively to the organo-
leptic and chemical characteristics of the product. The concentration, market preparation and packing
of the product must take place in the region of origin in order to allow control and complete trace-
ability and provide the consumer with a genuine product whose origin can be guaranteed.

4.6. L i nk:

Together with the cultivation methods used, ripening, picking and storage conditions, the climate of
the region gives the tuber a sweet taste, which stems from its exceptional sugar/starch content, and an
ideal texture for absorbing the sauce of fatty meats (pork), the latter being a mainstay of cooking in
the region. These characteristics have given the product a unique fame and reputation and enabled it
to survive over the generations, thus contributing to the sustainability of family farms in the region.
Expert writings dating back to the end of the 18th century provide proof of the economic and social
and cultural importance of the product, its reputation and long history.

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4.7. Insp e c ti on b ody :

Name:

TRADIÇÃO E QUALIDADE — ASSOCIAÇÃO INTERPROFISSIONAL PARA OSPRO-
DUTOS AGRO-ALIMENTARES DE TRÁS OS MONTES

Address: Av. 25 De Abril 273 S/L

P-5370 Mirandela

351 278 26 14 10

351 278 26 14 10

Tel.:

Fax:

Tradição e Qualidade is recognised as fulfilling the requirements of Standard 45011:2001.

4.8. L a b e lli n g :

The labelling must include the words ‘Batata de Trás-os-Montes’ PGI, the logo shown below and the
European logo with effect from the Community Decision.

The labelling must also bear a certification label including the name of the product and the forms of
wording concerned, the name of the inspection body and a serial number (i.e. a numerical or alphanu-
meric code used for tracing the product).

4.9. N a ti ona l r e q u i r e me nt s: —