Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Date: 2016-09-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Italy, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, meat product, product designation, quality control of agricultural products




C_2016334EN.01000901.xml










10.9.2016   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 334/9





Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
(2016/C 334/08)
This publication confers the right to oppose the amendment application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION WHICH IS NOT MINOR

Application for approval of an amendment in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012


‘SPECK ALTO ADIGE’/‘SÜDTIROLER MARKENSPECK’/‘SÜDTIROLER SPECK’


EU No: PGI-IT-02125 – 14.3.2015


PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest






Consorzio Tutela Speck Alto Adige




Via Portici No 71




39100 Bolzano




ITALIA




Tel. +39/0471/300381




Fax +39/0471/302091




info@speck.it




The ‘Consorzio Tutela Speck Alto Adige’ [protection association] is entitled to submit an amendment application pursuant to Article 13(1) of Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy Decree No 12511 of 14 October 2013.
2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy
3.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)








—


☐


Name of product




—


☐


Description of product




—


☐


Geographical area




—


☐


Proof of origin




—


☒


Method of production




—


☐


Link




—


☒


Labelling




—


☐


Other [to be specified]




4.   Type of amendment(s)








—


☒


Amendment to product specification of a registered PDO or PGI not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.




—


☐


Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.




5.   Amendment(s)


Method of production


Article 4 of the product specification







—


Subparagraph 8 of Article 4, which reads:






‘8.


When delivered, their temperature must be between 0 °C and 4 °C measured at the core.’




is amended as follows:






‘8.


When delivered, their temperature must be between 0 °C and 7 °C measured at the core.’




The temperature range has been broadened to bring it into line with common delivery conditions for fresh legs used to produce ‘Speck Alto Adige’.
This is to prevent the legs being transported at temperatures significantly below 0 °C before delivery, which may be required by a narrower temperature range such as the 0 °C – 4 °C range currently applicable.










—


The sentence:

‘be aged at an ambient temperature of between 10 °C and 15 °C and a humidity level of between 60 % and 90 %;’

has been amended as follows:

‘be aged at an ambient temperature of between 10 °C and 16 °C and a humidity level of between 55 % and 90 %;’

The temperature and humidity conditions of the ageing environment have been broadened. These measures introduce minor variations by allowing both a wider ambient temperature range, which helps activate the osmosis that is essential to the production process, and lower humidity levels in the premises, which is sometimes necessary to make them better adjusted to the ageing process.










—


The paragraph:

‘Salting and flavouring, using the dry method, shall take place within four days of the starting date of production, which must be marked indelibly and directly on each whole ham in such a way that it can be identified until the end of the production process.’

has been amended as follows:

‘Salting and flavouring, using the dry method, shall take place within four days of the starting date of production. Producers must put in place a registration system that, for each whole ham, allows the starting date of production, including a reference to the relevant uniform batch, to be clearly identified until the end of the production process’.

The amendment enables producers to use, in line with internal corporate traceability procedures, more up-to-date systems for identifying whole hams, rather than the time-consuming and unsystematic procedure of time-stamping the rind, allowing them to use the full range of solutions now available through technological progress, benefiting the entire production process.





Article 5 of the product specification







—


The paragraph:

‘“Speck Alto Adige PGI”/“Südtiroler Markenspeck PGI”/“Südtiroler Speck PGI” must be dry-cured in accordance with local practices and traditions in premises where sufficient air circulation, a temperature between 10 °C and 15 °C and a humidity level between 60 % and 90 % are guaranteed.’

is amended as follows:

‘“Speck Alto Adige PGI”/“Südtiroler Markenspeck PGI”/“Südtiroler Speck PGI” must be dry-cured in accordance with local practices and traditions in premises where sufficient air circulation, a temperature between 10 °C and 16 °C and a humidity level between 55 % and 90 % are guaranteed.’

The amendment reflects and incorporates the changes to the temperature and humidity conditions of the production environment referred to in Article 4.










—


The paragraph:

‘The weight of the hams must fall by at least 35 % as follows, depending on the weight class:







Weight of the whole ham in kg.


Minimum time for achieving 35 % weight loss


Minimum dry-curing time in weeks




3,4  to < 4,3 


at least 15 weeks


at least 20 weeks




4,3  to < 4,9 


at least 17 weeks


at least 22 weeks




4,9  to < 5,5 


at least 18 weeks


at least 24 weeks




5,5  to < 6,0 


at least 20 weeks


at least 26 weeks




6,0  to < 6,5 


at least 21 weeks


at least 28 weeks




6,5  to < 7,0 


at least 23 weeks


at least 30 weeks




7,0  to < 7,5 


at least 24 weeks


at least 32 weeks’





has been amended as follows:

‘The weight of the hams must fall by at least 35 % within the minimum dry-curing times indicated in the table below according to their weight class:







Weight of the whole ham in kg.


Start of refinement as from the beginning of the dry-curing process.


Minimum dry-curing time in weeks




3,4  to < 4,3 


at least 15 weeks


at least 20 weeks




4,3  to < 4,9 


at least 17 weeks


at least 22 weeks




4,9  to < 5,5 


at least 18 weeks


at least 24 weeks




5,5  to < 6,0 


at least 20 weeks


at least 26 weeks




6,0  to < 6,5 


at least 21 weeks


at least 28 weeks




6,5  to < 7,0 


at least 23 weeks


at least 30 weeks




7,0  to < 7,5 


at least 24 weeks


at least 32 weeks




Once the ham has lost 35 % of its weight, it may undergo a stage of refinement from the time indicated in the table above, expressed in weeks according to the weight class.’

The producers saw a need to indicate that the 35 % minimum weight loss is to be reached within the minimum dry-curing period set out in the third column of the table in the current specification, and to replace the heading ‘Minimum time for achieving 35 % weight loss’ in the central column of the table by ‘Start of refinement as from the beginning of the dry-curing process’, followed by an explanation in the following paragraph of the conditions for starting the refinement process. Thus the obligation to reach the minimum weight loss within a specific period is removed and a refinement stage is included in the overall dry-curing process, the length of which has remained unchanged. The refinement stage begins a number of weeks, varying according to the weight, after the start of the dry-curing process, as set out in the second column of the table.
A specific refinement period enables producers to carry out a number of good practices, described below, to bring out the specific characteristics of the product.










—


Following this amendment a specific description of the refinement stage was inserted in the product specification.

‘Refinement takes place after the minimum weight loss required has been achieved and before the end of the minimum dry-curing process has been reached. Its purpose is to obtain the product characteristics described in Article 6 of this product specification once it has been established that the specified weight loss has been achieved.
The refinement procedure makes use of special cling film that is protective and safe for food.’

The paragraph clarifies and lays down the conditions for the refinement stage. During the refinement period the product is wrapped in a protective film which allows it to soften and reach an appropriate texture, preventing dry edges or grooves from developing and deformation owing to weight loss from occurring.










—


The sentence:

‘Weights refer to both the weight of individual hams and the average weight of the relevant production batch.’

is amended as follows:

‘Weights refer to the average weight of the production batch.’

This introduces a non-ambiguous way of determining weight, based on production batches and no longer on individual hams, simplifying this stage of production and bringing it into line with other stages, where production batches also serve as a reference.










—


The sentence:

‘Throughout the dry-curing period the temperature of “Speck Alto Adige PGI”/“Südtiroler Markenspeck PGI”/“Südtiroler Speck PGI” may vary only between 10 and 15 °C measured at the core’.

is amended as follows:

‘Throughout the dry-curing period the temperature of “Speck Alto Adige PGI”/“Südtiroler Markenspeck PGI”/“Südtiroler Speck PGI” may vary only between 10 and 16 °C measured at the core’.

The amendment reflects and incorporates the changes to the temperature and humidity conditions of the production environment referred to in Article 4.





Article 8 of the product specification







—


The sentence:

‘Whole hams meeting the requirements of this specification shall be identified by at least four indelible marks on the rind at the end of the compulsory dry-curing period after the minimum 35 % weight loss has been reached;’

is amended as follows:

‘Whole hams meeting the requirements of this specification shall be identified by at least one indelible mark on the rind at the end of the compulsory dry-curing period after the minimum 35 % weight loss has been reached;’

The indelible mark is affixed on the rind at least once instead of four times. This provision meets certain needs expressed by producers of ‘Speck Alto Adige PGI’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck PGI’/‘Südtiroler Speck PGI’ whose products are pre-packaged and cut into portions. Most products are marketed pre-packaged or cut into portions, in which case all the product details are on the label, including the logo, which is printed in four colours and is therefore better visible than a dark brown mark on a rind which is already dark. Moreover, the mark has become redundant given that the whole ham may be cut into as much as thirty parts or even into slices. In addition, affixing only one mark on the rind simplifies production and is sufficient to guarantee the product's origin when transferred internally or intermediately for processing, until it is finally packaged and cut into portions.










—


The paragraph:

‘This mark consists of a linear frame containing a stylised representation of mountains at the bottom and the word “Südtirol” at the top, as follows:

 ’

is amended as follows:

‘This mark is a representation of a bodice containing in the centre a stylised image of mountains with the word “Südtirol” on top, as follows:

 ’

The amendment consists in redesigning the mark to improve its visibility and that of the product logo.










—


The sentence:

‘It must appear on the label in clear, indelible characters that can be clearly distinguished from all other writing on the label and must be followed by the phrase “Protected Geographical Indication” and the abbreviation “PGI”, which must be translated into the language in which the product is being marketed.’

is amended as follows:

‘It must appear on the label in clear and indelible lettering that can be clearly distinguished from all other writing on the label and must be followed by the phrase “Protected Geographical Indication” and/or the abbreviation “PGI”, which must be translated into the language in which the product is being marketed.’

This amendment allows the abbreviation PGI to be used as an alternative to the phrase ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1151/2015.










—


The paragraphs:

‘A representation of a bodice in the centre of which is a rectangular field with curved sides containing the word “SÜDTIROL” in stylised capital letters over a stylised, multi-coloured mountain chain, on either side of which are two stylised acorns along the horizontal axis of the bodice; along the upper undulating edge of the bodice the words “Speck Alto Adige PGI Südtiroler Speck PGI” are written in stylised letters, and along the lower undulating edge the words “Protected Geographical Indication” in stylised letters'; along the edges of the bodice runs a decorative border consisting of a line parallel to the edge and a sequence of three-petal symbols; all of this is surrounded by a white border parallel to the edges of the bodice.’


‘The coloured elements in the centre of the logo are reproduced in CMYK four-colour print and the dark green in Pantone 575C or Pantone 3435C, using appropriate printing plates;’




are amended as follows:

‘The logo is a representation of a bodice in the centre of which is a rectangular field with convex sides at the top and bottom and a line around the edge. The rectangle shows a multicoloured stylised mountain range on a white background, with the word “SÜDTIROL” on top, also stylised. Parallel to the upper and lower undulating edges are the words “Südtiroler Speck PGI” and “Speck Alto Adige PGI” respectively, also in stylised characters. Finally, the decorative border of the bodice consists of a sequence of dots parallel to a white contour line.
The coloured elements in the centre of the logo are reproduced in CMYK four-colour print and the green elements in Pantone 575C or Pantone 3435C.’




The product logo has been redesigned by making the name-related elements stand our more. Its description and graphic features have been updated accordingly.




SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘SPECK ALTO ADIGE’/‘SÜDTIROLER MARKENSPECK’/‘SÜDTIROLER SPECK’


EU No: PGI-IT-02125 – 14.3.2015


PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name(s)

‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’
2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.2. Meat products (cooked, salted, smoked, etc.)
3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Speck Alto Adige’ (in Italian), ‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ (in German) is produced from boned pork hams moderately salted and spiced, cold-smoked in special premises at a maximum temperature of 20 °C and appropriately aged in accordance with local customs and traditions. It has specific organoleptic qualities.
When released for consumption, ‘Speck Alto Adige’, ‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’ or ‘Südtiroler Speck’ is brown on the outside, while its slices are red with pinkish white parts. It has a pleasant aroma of smoke and spices and a characteristic intense flavour. Its chemical, chemico-physical and microbiological characteristics are as follows:
Total protein greater than or equal to 20 %;
Water-to-protein ratio less than or equal to 2,0;
Fat-to-protein ratio less than or equal to 1,5;
Sodium chloride less than or equal to 5 %;
Potassium nitrate less than 150 mg/kg;
Sodium nitrite less than 50 mg/kg;
Mesophilic microbe content in accordance with standard UNI ISO 4833 (2003);
Lactic acid bacteria at a maximum level of 1 × 108 colony-forming units/gram (CFU/g).
3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

Before boning, the whole hind legs used to produce ‘Speck Alto Adige’, ‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’ or ‘Südtiroler Speck’ must weigh no less than 10,5 kg. The boned and trimmed legs (also referred to as ‘baffe’ in Italian) must weigh at least 5,2 kg. When delivered, their temperature must be between 0 °C and 7 °C measured at the core.
3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

‘Speck Alto Adige PGI’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck PGI’/‘Südtiroler Speck PGI’ must be trimmed using the traditional method with or without the rump, dry salted and spiced, smoked and dry-cured at a temperature not exceeding 20 °C and aged at an ambient temperature of 10 °C to 16 °C with a level of humidity between 55 % and 90 %.
3.5.   Specific rules concerning the slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ may be released for consumption loose or packaged under vacuum or in a modified atmosphere and it may be whole, cut or sliced.
‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ may be cut, sliced and packaged only in the production area identified in point 4 in order to ensure that the final consumer receives a product in which the characteristic flavour and most delicate aromas have been preserved.
3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The name of the protected geographical indication, ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’, may not be translated into other languages
and must appear on the label in clear, indelible characters that can be clearly distinguished from all other writing on the label. It must be followed by the phrase ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ and/or the abbreviation ‘PGI’, which must be translated into the language in which the product is being marketed.
All labels must feature the logo of the ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ PGI.



The additional words ‘prodotto di montagna’ [mountain product] may appear on the label when production takes place in areas that are located at least 600 m above sea level and thus geographically classified as mountain areas.
4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The pork legs may be processed only by undertakings located in the autonomous province of Bolzano-Alto Adige.
5.   Link with the geographical area

The production area of ‘Speck Alto Adige IGP’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ is entirely hilly or mountainous. Thanks to the presence of variable breezes and winds that blow through the numerous Alpine valleys, the area's climatic conditions are moderately dry; in addition, it enjoys more than 300 days of sun a year.
Moreover, this border area has always been the meeting point between the cultures of the Mediterranean and of Mitteleuropa, allowing the conditions to be created for the development of a very distinctive method of preserving pig meat that combines the smoking typical of Mitteleuropa and Mediterranean dry-curing.
Unlike the hams of the Po Valley area, ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ is produced from boned, opened and drawn pork leg that is subsequently smoked and dry-cured. Its appearance is characterised by its brown outer colour resulting from the smoking process. When sliced, the lean part is red while the fatty part has a delicate pinkish white colour. ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ has the typical aroma of dry-cured meat, which is characterised by pleasant smoky hints. The flavour of the meat is intense although not salty.
The causal link between ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ and the area in which it is produced is based on the specific microclimatic conditions in Alto Adige, which have influenced the distinctive, unique experience of the historical/cultural enclave of the South Tyrol. This border territory has since time immemorial been an area of historical, ethnic, economic and cultural transition between Europe north and south of the Alps, and has therefore been open to contributions from the experience of both areas of development. The breezes and winds from the north and south of the mountain system that blow through Alto Adige and meet in its valleys have made the climate particularly suitable for dry-curing ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’, encouraging the establishment of this form of meat processing whose roots can be traced to the Alpine tradition of farmsteads. The technique of preservation with the assertive use of smoke, of northern origin, has taken root in combination with the use of salt and gradual, slow drying under natural conditions, a technique originating in the Po Valley. The result is a product with a very balanced taste that is milder than the strongly smoked cold cuts of northern Europe and stronger than the mild hams of the Mediterranean area. It is perfectly aged and enriched by the aromas and local essences carried both by the air that circulates during dry-curing and the seasonings used during the initial processing stages. These are additional reasons why the reputation of Speck Alto Adige/Südtiroler Markenspeck/Südtiroler Speck is that of a flagship product of its geographical area of origin.

Reference to publication of the specification

(second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)
The Ministry launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising ‘Speck Alto Adige’/‘Südtiroler Markenspeck’/‘Südtiroler Speck’ as a PGI in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 13 of 18 January 2016.
The consolidated text of the product specification is available on the internet: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335
or alternatively:
by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP’ (at the top right-hand side of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all'esame dell'UE’.


(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.