Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Date: 2008-11-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Community acquis, Italy, designation of origin, labelling, location of production, olive oil, regulation of agricultural production

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC)
indications and designations of origin for
No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical

agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2008/C 284/08)

This publication confers the right to object to the amendment application pursuant to Article 7 of Council
Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objections must reach the Commission within six months
from the date of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Amendment application pursuant to Article 9

‘SABINA’

EC No: IT-0117-1511-26.10.2004

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 [to be specified]

2.

Type of change

— Amendment to Single Document or Summary Sheet

— Amendment to specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the Single Document

nor Summary 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
phyto-sanitary measures by public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

3. Amendment(s)

3.1. Description

Article 6 of the specification, regarding the consumption characteristics of ‘Sabina’ oil PDO, contains a
more detailed description of the product characteristics, in particular its colour (‘yellowy-green with
golden tinges’), its flavour, which may be ‘spicy’ when oil is very fresh, and its total maximum acidity
not exceeding ‘0,6 g per 100 g of oil’. Above all, new parameters have been added that were not
included in the registered specification but which are essential for oil characterisation: the median for
‘fruitiness’ and the median for ‘defects’, the ‘peroxide number’ and the percentage of ‘oleic acid’.

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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Accordingly, the general statements referring solely to compliance with current legislation have been
deleted.

In addition, to comply with Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 the third paragraph of Article 6 has been
deleted as it confers on the Ministry the power to include other parameters to characterise the
designation.

3.2. Geographical area

Given that the administrative territory of the former municipality of Mentana has been split between
the municipalities of Mentana and Fontenuova, Fontenuova has had to be added to the municipalities
in the province of Rome, which are listed in Article 3 (Production Area). The words ‘former munici-
pality of Mentana (now municipalities of Mentana and Fontenuova)’ have therefore been added to the
part of Article 3 defining the area. The insertion of Fontenuova does not therefore imply an extension
of the production area.

In Article 3 of the specification, the production area has been extended to include a tiny but precisely
demarcated area within the territory of the municipality of Rome which already shares the climatic and
soil conditions and the tradition of the area indicated in the current specification. The reason for the
amendment request is that the current specification does not take into account the historic area of
ancient Sabina, featuring the same environmental and growing conditions for olive plantations as the
area of origin of the ‘Sabina’ PDO.

3.3. Proof of origin

Since the specification contained no references to the proof of origin and control measures,
it is
appropriate to include Articles 3a and 6a regarding the origin of the product and the inspection body
respectively.

3.4. Method of production

In Article 4 of the current product specification, regarding growing characteristics, paragraph 8 has
been amended by deleting the sentence empowering the Region of Lazio, subject to consultation of the
Consorzio di tutela (supervisory syndicate), to establish the period for harvesting olives; instead, there is
now a reference to a specific time of the year for harvesting and pressing olives (1 October to
31 January).

In addition, in Article 4 of the specification, the phrase ‘Groves may be irrigated’ has been added.

At the end of the second paragraph of Article 5 of the current specification, regarding oil extraction,
the words ‘in weight’ have been added, as the current sentence ‘The maximum yield of olives in terms
of oil may not exceed 25 %’ does not make it clear that the rate of 25 % refers to the weight of the oil
in relation to that of the olives.

In Article 5, the third paragraph has been deleted, as the characteristics of ‘Sabina’ are specified in
Article 6.

3.5. Labelling

In Article 7 of the specification, regarding product designation and packaging, the fourth paragraph
has been deleted, as it is a repetition of the preceding paragraph.

In Article 7, an entire paragraph (the fifth paragraph) has been added, specifying in greater detail, and
thus more clearly for consumers, the information to be included on the label of the ‘Sabina’ PDO. With
a view to providing clearer and more explicit information to consumers and ensuring the traceability of
the product, the information on the packaging must now include the production year (more correctly
called the ‘production marketing year’) and the serial number allocated by the certification body.
Furthermore, given that at exhibitions, fairs and other events,
‘Sabina’ oil may also be distributed in
single-dose sachets, it was necessary to specify the indications such packaging must bear in such cases.
The last paragraph of Article 7 has been added to this end.

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In the sixth paragraph of Article 7, on the containers to be used for the products, ceramic has been
added as a material traditionally used to hold and preserve oil.

3.6. National requirements

In Article 4 of the current specification, regarding growing characteristics, the following paragraphs
have been deleted and/or amended:

— the fourth paragraph has been deleted to comply with Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 as it gives the
Region of Lazio the power to authorise new growing methods in addition to those provided for in
the product specification,

— in the seventh paragraph, regarding undercropping and intercropping, the reference to the Region's
authority to inspect production has been deleted to comply with Regulation (EC) No 510/2006,

— paragraphs 9 and 10 have been deleted as they both attribute to the Region specific powers on the
basis of Italian legislation (Ministerial Decree No 573 of 4 November 1993 — Law No 169 of
5 February 1992) which has been repealed.

The wording ‘DOC “Denominazione di Origine Controllata”’, based on previous Italian legislation, has
been replaced throughout the specification (Articles 1, 2(1), 3 and 6) by ‘DOP “Denominazione di
Origine Protetta”’.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘SABINA’

EC No: IT-0117-1511-26.10.2004

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

Ministero delle Politiche agricole e forestali

Address: Via XX Settembre 20

I-00187 Rome

(39) 06 481 99 68

(39) 06 420 131 26

Tel.

Fax

E-mail:

qtc3@politicheagricole.it

2. Association:

Name:

Address:

Tel.

Fax

Consorzio Sabina DOP — Consorzio per la tutela e la valorizzazione dell'olio a
Denominazione di Origine Protetta della Sabina

Via Porta Monopoli, 2 Loc. Farfa
I-02032 Fara in Sabina (RI)

(39) 06 697 924 01

(39) 0765 94 30 889

E-mail:

consorziosabinadop@cste-centroservizi.com

Composition: Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3.

Type of product:

Class 1.5 — Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oil, etc.)

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4.

Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

4.1. Name:

‘Sabina’

4.2. Description:

When released for consumption, ‘Sabina’ PDO extra virgin olive oil has the following characteristics:

— colour: yellowy-green with golden tinges,

— aroma: fruity,

— flavour: fruity, smooth, even, fragrant, sweet, bitter and spicy when very fresh,

— panel test: median for ‘fruitiness’: > 0 and median for defects = 0,

— total maximum acidity expressed as oleic acid, not exceeding 0,6 g per 100 g of oil,

— peroxide number: ≤ 14 meq O2/kg,

— minimum oleic acid content: 68 %.

4.3. Geographical area:

The production area of the ‘Sabina’ protected designation of origin is located in the provinces of Rome
and Rieti. These provinces include all or some of the administrative territory of the municipalities and
towns to the north-east of Rome and south-west of Rieti. The whole area lies to the east of the River
Tiber.

4.4. Proof of origin:

Every phase of the production process must be monitored by the inspection body referred to in
point 4.7, in accordance with the provisions of the inspection plan, with full documentation of the
products arriving and being withdrawn. This process, and the entry in appropriate lists kept by the
inspection body of the parcels used for cultivation and of producers, processors and packagers, and
reports made in good time to the inspection body of the quantities of olives and oil produced, pack-
aged and labelled ensure traceability of the product. All natural or legal persons entered on these lists
will be inspected by the inspection body in accordance with the specification and the inspection plan.

4.5. Method of production:

‘Sabina’ PDO olive oil must be obtained from groves of single or mixed varieties comprising at least
75 % of the following varieties of olive tree: Carboncella, Leccino, Raja, Pendolino, Frantoio, Moraiolo,
Olivastrone, Salviana, Olivago and Rosciola. Up to 25 % of olives of other varieties grown in the
groves may be used.

Only groves with loose, permeable and dry, but not arid, calcareous soil are suitable for the production
of ‘Sabina’ PDO oil.

The planting distances and the growing and pruning methods must be those generally used or methods
that do not affect the characteristics of the olives or the oil. Groves may be irrigated but no forcing
methods may be used.

The maximum yield in the groves concerned may not exceed 6 300 kg of olives per hectare. In the
case of undercropping and intercropping, the maximum yield of olives per hectare refers to the actual
olive-growing area.

The harvesting of olives and extraction of oil is carried out from 1 October to 31 January of each
marketing year.

Extraction of the oil and packing must take place within the area referred to in point 4.3.

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4.6. Link:

Sabina has south-facing slopes whose loose, permeable and dry calcareous soil composition provide
good drainage, which is essential to the quality of the product.

The slopes are predominantly south-facing, which is vital for a sun-loving plant such as the olive tree.

The ‘Sabina’ area lies in the southern part of the olive cultivation area.

Despite occasional natural disasters such as frost, Sabina provides a product whose high quality is
closely linked to the boundaries of the area of cultivation.

the publication ‘Olivi e olio di Sabina’ published by the Elaiopolio
Attached is a photocopy of
consorziale Sabina and printed by R.E.D.A.
in 1949 to mark the oil festival held that year at the
Benedictine abbey of Farfa which contains proof, including photographs, of the use of the ‘Sabina’
designation of origin on labels and containers and of the registered trade mark, and of the first steps
towards securing protection for the designation. Further documentary proof of the presence of the
‘Sabina’ designation may be found in the many festivals held over the years to celebrate the area's
famous oil production. Of particular importance are the labels for ‘Sabina’ oil used at the Milan trade
fair in 1926 and the poster for the first show of Sabina olive oil, held in Palombara Sabina on 31 May
1959.

4.7. Inspection body:

Name:

C.C.I.A.A. di Roma

Address: Via Appia Nuova 218

I-00183 Rome

Tel.

(39) 06 772 038 67
(39) 06 704 969 18

Fax

(39) 06 520 824 93

E-mail:

enzo.niri@rm.camcom.it

4.8. Labelling:

It is prohibited to add to the ‘Sabina’ protected designation any other description not expressly provided
for in the product specification, including the adjectives fine (fine), scelto (selected), selezionato (selected),
superiore (superior) or genuino (genuine).

It is prohibited to use additional geographical references or geographical or topographical indications
referring to municipalities, parts of municipalities or geographical areas within the production area
referred to in point 4.2.

The names of undertakings, holdings and estates, business names and brand names may not have
laudatory connotations, nor may they mislead the consumer.

The name of the ‘Sabina’ protected designation of origin must appear on the label in distinct, indelible
lettering of a colour that strongly contrasts with that of the label itself and in such a way that it can be
clearly distinguished from the other information given on the label.

One of the following wordings must appear on the label:

OLIO EXTRAVERGINE DI OLIVA

SABINA DOP

or

OLIO EXTRAVERGINE DI OLIVA

SABINA

DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE PROTETTA

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The label must also bear the words ‘olio confezionato dal produttore all'origine’ (oil bottled by the
producer at the point of production) or ‘olio confezionato nella zona di produzione’ (oil bottled in the
production area).

‘Sabina’ protected designation of origin extra virgin olive oil must be bottled for release for consump-
tion in glass, stainless metal or ceramic containers of a maximum capacity of 5 litres.

Each container must bear the serial number issued by the certification body and the year of production.
The oil may also be packed in single-dose sachets bearing the protected designation, the batch, the year
of production and a serial number issued by the inspection body.