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: 2017-04-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Extremadura, Spain, consumer information, designation of origin, fresh meat, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, veal








C_2017120EN.01002901.xml










13.4.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 120/29





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
(2017/C 120/17)
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).
AMENDMENT APPLICATION

Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
 (2)

AMENDMENT APPLICATION ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 9

‘TERNERA DE EXTREMADURA’


EU No: ES-PGI-0105-01129 — 8.7.2013


PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

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








—


☐


Name of product




—


☒


Description




—


☐


Geographical area




—


☒


Proof of origin




—


☒


Method of production




—


☐


Link




—


☒


Labelling




—


☒


National requirements




—


☒


Other [inspection body]




2.   Type of amendment(s)








—


☒


Amendment to Single Document or Summary Sheet




—


☐


Amendment to specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the single document nor the summary sheet have 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 phytosanitary measures by public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006).




3.   Amendment(s)


Description of product

In order to clarify the terminology and avoid confusion throughout the document, the following sentence is deleted: ‘The breeds resulting from second generation crosses covered by this PGI may not be reproductive breeds’. It is replaced by the following sentence: ‘The females resulting from crosses by absorption may not be reproductive females covered by this PGI’.
The paragraphs describing the conditions for rearing and feeding the animals which are repeated in point E ‘Description of the production method of the product’ are deleted.
The expression ‘food supplements previously authorised’ is deleted and replaced by ‘authorised food supplements’. The type of food supplements allowed is specified later in point E ‘Description of the production method of the product’.
Given the working system of the operators, the period in which the pH value can be measured has been extended from 24 to 48 hours. This is because the animals are slaughtered at different times and brought into the cutting plant at the same time. Other areas for measuring the pH in order to check this parameter in the carcasses destined for cutting have also been included.

Elements guaranteeing that the product originates in the area.

D.2 Certification checks
The paragraph describing the breeds permitted for the supply of meat under the PGI ‘Ternera de Extremadura’, which is repeated and described in Point B ‘Product description’, is deleted.
Under the new certification system in accordance with Standard UNE-EN-40511, some paragraphs are amended to describe control by the operators in accordance with the Specification and the checking for compliance with the Specification by the Control and Certification Body of the Regulatory Council.
The mixing of animals belonging to the registered livestock farms intended for the PGI and other animals is permitted in order to facilitate transport from small holdings, provided that they belong to the same batch for transport and their identification is safeguarded. This is due to the fact that the same vehicle is used for transport to the slaughterhouse by different holdings belonging to cooperatives or groups of producers. Furthermore, in some of these, the installations are shared by animals which are not covered and animals which are. It is not considered necessary to separate them at the time of loading and transportation for slaughter.

Description of the production method of the product

The wording of the paragraph on feeding the dams is amended in order to clarify its content.
For this reason, the following paragraphs have been deleted and re-written:






—


the words ‘and legumes and authorised concentrated fibres’ are deleted and replaced by the words ‘protein crops and other raw materials, provided they are of vegetable origin, and the necessary minerals and vitamins’,










—


the following paragraph is deleted: ‘The Regulatory Council must publish the lists of permitted raw materials in the feed of these animals’.




The simultaneous slaughter of animals and dressing of the carcasses is permitted, both for those covered under the Protected Geographical Indication and those which are not, provided that their separation and identification is safeguarded. This amendment is made in accordance with the practices of slaughterhouses, without affecting the identification and traceability of the product.
In this section, there are amendments to the paragraphs describing the control by the Regulatory Council, which did not comply with the current certification scheme. The new version describes the current control by the operators in accordance with the Specification and the verification of compliance with that Specification by the Control and Certification Body of the Regulatory Council in accordance with the new certification system required by Standard UNE-EN-45011.

Inspection body

The details of the Regulatory Council have been updated, with the establishment of the Control and Certification Body, an independent applications body accredited for the certification of food products by E.N.A.C in accordance with the criteria contained in the standard UNE-EN 45.011 (Accreditation 109/C-PR188).
The criteria have subsequently been adapted to the standard UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

Labelling

In order to provide consumers with more precise information on the final product in regard to first or second generation cross-breeding (which is difficult to verify and is not reflected in the final identification of the product), the label indicates whether the meat comes from cross-breeding at any generation.
All references to traceability are deleted from this section as they are not part of the labelling.
In the paragraph: ‘The simultaneous slaughter of the animals and dressing of the carcasses …’ the word ‘not’ is deleted and the following phrase is inserted: ‘provided that their separation and identification remains safeguarded’.
Reference to the use of mark is deleted.

Legislation

This section is deleted as it became obsolete following adoption of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (3).
Formal amendments:
The word ‘present’ is deleted in paragraphs which included it with reference to the Specification, i.e.:






—


the second paragraph of ‘Evidence that the product originates from the geographical area’,










—


the third paragraph of ‘Description of the method of production of the product’, and










—


the second paragraph of ‘Labelling’.




The box ‘Link between quality and geographical environment’ on the application was not ticked as the amendments are purely formal, i.e. relocations and deletions due to repetition.
The first, fourth, and fifth paragraphs of point 3, ‘Production and processing system’ are deleted as they are repeated in point B ‘Description of the product’.
The second and third paragraphs of point 3, ‘Production and processing system’ are deleted as they are repeated in point E ‘Description of the production method of the product’.
SINGLE DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
 (4)

‘TERNERA DE EXTREMADURA’

EU No: ES-PGI-0105-01129 — 8.7.2013


PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Designation

‘Ternera de Extremadura’
2.   Member State or Third Country

Spain
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)
3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Ternera de Extremadura’ means those carcasses exclusively from livestock from the native breeds ‘Retinta’, ‘Avileña Negra-Ibérica’, ‘Morucha’, ‘Blanca Cacereña’, ‘Berrendas’ and crosses among them or with the breeds ‘Charolais’ and ‘Limousin’, which are perfectly adapted to the environment, as well as crosses with the aforementioned native breeds when reared as part of an extensive production system.
The characteristics of the meat covered under the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ternera de Extremadura’ are as follows:






(I)


Veal: meat from the animal intended for slaughter at an age of between 7 and 12 months less one day. It is bright red in colour, with white fat, a firm consistency, slightly moist and with a fine texture.










(II)


Baby beef: meat from the animal intended for slaughter at an age of between 12 and 16 months less one day. It is between light red and purple-red in colour, with white fat, a consistency which is firm to the touch, slightly moist and with a fine texture.










(III)


Young bulls: meat from the animal intended for slaughter at an age of between 16 and 36 months. It is cherry red in colour, with creamy-coloured fat, a consistency which is firm to the touch and slightly moist, a fine texture, and moderate amounts of intramuscular fat.




The types of carcasses defined are adjusted in line with the following standards:






1. —


Carcasses of Categories A and E as described in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1208/81 (5).










2. —


Conformation: E.U.R.O.










3. —


Fat cover 2, 3, and 4.










4. —


Hygiene: application of European and national standards.










5. —


At 24 to 48 hours after slaughter, the pH must be below 6 in the longissimus dorsi muscle at the level of the 5th-6th rib, and/or the muscular bundles of the shoulder and/or rib and/or flank, for those carcasses intended for cutting.




3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only)

—
3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only)

The rearing practices for dams must represent the techniques and practices for exploiting natural resources in an extensive farming system. The dams are fed on the pastures of the ‘dehesa’ and other native pasture of the Extremadura eco-system, where they graze throughout the year. Where necessary, their feed is supplemented with straw, hay, cereals, protein crops and other raw materials provided they are of vegetable origin, as well as with the necessary minerals and vitamins.
The calves are not weaned until they are at least five months old.
In any case, it remains expressly prohibited to use products which could interfere with the normal rhythm of growth and development of the animal, in accordance with the legislation in force.
3.5.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

Specific phases in production: birth, rearing, slaughter and cutting must be carried out in the area.
3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

—
3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling

In order to provide consumers with more precise information on the final product in regard to cross-breeding, the label indicates whether the meat comes from cross-breeding at any generation.
4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area for the production of the animals whose meat will be chosen for the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Ternera de Extremadura’, comprises the districts listed below and their corresponding municipalities:
Alburquerque, Almendralejo, Azuaga, Badajoz, Brozas, Cáceres, Castuera, Coria, Don Benito, Herrera del Duque, Hervás, Jaraíz de la Vera, Jerez de los Caballeros, Logrosán, Llerena, Mérida, Navalmoral de la Mata, Olivenza, Plasencia, Puebla de Alcocer, Trujillo and Valencia de Alcántara.
Processing is carried out in the geographical production area.
5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

Of the area in question, 35 % is covered by bushes (such as rockrose, gorse and heather) and scrubland (oak, cork oak, gall-oak and Pyrenean oak, etc.). The rest is made up of surfaces with a herbaceous layer suitable for livestock.
The fauna of domestic animal species found in Extremadura largely comprises native breeds, which are connected and closely linked to the most typical environment of the region (the ‘dehesa’). All of them, due to their sturdiness and high capacity for adaptation to difficult environments contribute to maintaining and improving the eco-system, fertilising the soil, improving the quality of pastures and slowing the advance of scrubland. However, it should be pointed out that in most herds these breeds are reared by crossing them with Spanish meat breeds, in order to adapt production to current market requirements.
The extreme temperature and rain conditions mean that the breeds which make up the ‘Ternera de Extremadura’ have adjusted in the best possible manner since they are capable of resisting both the cold and the heat, and the scarcity of water in periods of drought.
The eco-system of the ‘dehesa’ is the result of human activity in Mediterranean woodland throughout the centuries. The system covers vast areas of Extremadura. Traditionally livestock production there has centred on extensive production, where animal species (both domestic and wild), the environment and human intervention have always been in balance. This concept of ‘extensification’ is closely linked to using large surface areas for pastures for livestock which, on account of its sturdiness, has adapted perfectly to the environment. The harshness of the climate and low quality of the soils have favoured the establishment of livestock farming.
The systems of the ‘dehesa’ are characterised by the use of the environment by the livestock as pasture, with its herbaceous production covering a large part of the energetic needs of the animals which it sustains. The grassland contributes to a greater supply of energy resources for the system and is made up of a diverse flora rich in self-seeding annuals.
The significance of the trees on the holdings in the ‘dehesa’ lies in the diversity of uses and production alternatives which the environment offers for the human management of the system.
The tree-covered part of the ‘dehesa’ is made up of two main species: the holm oak (Quercus ilex) and the cork-oak (Quercus suber), plus a few less prevalent species such as gall oak (Quercus lusitanica), the Spanish chestnut (Castanea sativa) and the common oak (Quercus robur). The tree-covered area offers various forms of production such as acorns, browse and forest litter, which sustain the livestock when the herbaceous element is scarce.
The most representative species amongst the bushes are common rockrose (Cistus ladaniferus), common broom (Sarothamnus scoparius), Montpelier cistus (Cistus monspeliense), and gorse (Genista spp.).
The grassland areas may be classified according to the soil on which they are found, as:






—


pasture on granite soils,










—


pasture on shale soils,










—


pasture on soils with tertiary and quaternary sedimentation,










—


pasture for ‘majadeo’ (folding), and










—


other pasture located in special enclaves, i.e. pastures in the mountains.




It should also be remembered that, in addition to pastures, the eco-system of the ‘dehesa’ produces acorns, cereal-feed (wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale), pulses (chick peas, beans, etc.), cork, fuel wood, charcoal and other resources. Therefore, there is no doubt that within the context of a largely agricultural community such as Extremadura, the ‘dehesa’ is a phenomenon of primary economic importance, which generates 45 % of the final agricultural production.
Various studies (Espejo Diaz, M. García Torres, S., Características específicas y diferenciadoras de las carnes de ganado Bovino de las dehesas españolas (‘Specific and distinguishing characteristics of meat of cattle raised on Spanish dehesas’) have shown that the qualities principally sought by the consumer are significantly greater in ‘dehesa’ breeds.
5.2.   Specificity of the product

The study ‘Specific and distinguishing characteristics of meat of cattle raised on Spanish dehesas’ was presented at the International Symposium for Characterising Livestock Products from the ‘dehesa’, which is held in Mérida (Badajoz, Spain), EAAP publication No 90 of 1998. The study demonstrates that there is a particular quality to the meat covered by the PGI ‘Ternera de Extremadura’, which comes from breeds known as ‘dehesa breeds’. Sensory testing by panels of trained testers and consumers clearly shows that such meat has distinctive characteristics that are much appreciated.
Therefore, the meat covered by the designation ‘Ternera de Extremadura’ is defined as a high-quality product on account of its sensory characteristics of tenderness, juiciness and flavour.
5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The co-existence of the different breeds meant that both ancient and current breeds, and their crosses, have been recognised as the ‘Extremadura’ breed in the Iberian Peninsula.
The cross of the ‘Blanca Cacereña’ with the ‘Tronco de capa negra’ gave rise to the ‘Ganado barroso cacereño’ and the ‘Colorada extremeña’ breed evident today in the ‘Retinta’ breed. These crosses were very well represented at the National Livestock Competitions of 1913. The breed evolved into ‘Cacereña’ in the years 1922, 1926 and 1930, in the last two years under the guise of ‘paradas de Cabestros’. It continued in the years 1953, 1956 and 1959, subsequently disappearing before returning in 1975 at an exhibition with a consignment from a State herd (Sánchez Belda A., Publicaciones de Extensión Agraria, 1984).
We also find references to it in gastronomy linking the veal to Extremadura cooking in numerous recipes: ‘Ternera asada al estilo de la Vera’ (Vera-style roast veal) (in Cocina Tradicional de la Vera, José V. Serradilla Muñoz, 1992, 3rd edition 1999, Gráficas Romero de Jaraíz de la Vera (Cáceres)); ‘Envueltillos de Ternera’ (Veal parcels) (in La cocina día a día, Cocina extremeña, Ana María Calera, 1987, Plaza y Janes SA); ‘Chuletas de vaca a la extremeña’ (Extremadura beef chops) (in Gran Enciclopedia de la Cocina, ABC, 1994, Ediciones Nobel SA, Madrid), or ‘Entrecot al modo de Cáceres’ (Caceres-style entrecôte) (in Cocina Extremeña, Teclo Villalón y Pedro Plasencia, 1999, Everest).
In the twentieth century we also find references to our livestock, such as on 10 January 1927 when the ‘Sociedad Productos de la Ganadería Extremeña’ was formed in order to operate the future Mérida slaughterhouse. There is another reference slightly later, around 1930, amongst the various surplus products sold beyond Extramadura. At that time, the meat cattle appeared at markets outside the region, where 62 % of its total live weight was sold (Extremadura: la historia, Archivo Ediciones Extremeñas, S.L.1997).

Reference to publication of the product specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)
http://www.gobex.es/filescms/con03/uploaded_files/SectoresTematicos/Agroalimentario/Denominacionesdeorigen/IGP_TerneraDeExtremadura_PliegoCondiciones.pdf


(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 1. Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

(3)  See footnote 1.

(4)  See footnote 2.

(5)  OJ L 123, 7.5.1981, p. 3.