Publication of an application for approval of non-minor amendments to a product specification 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 2020/C 383/09
Date: 2020-11-13
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Aegean Islands, Greece, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, potato, product designation, quality control of agricultural products








C_2020383EN.01001201.xml










13.11.2020   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 383/12






Publication of an application for approval of non-minor amendments to a product specification 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
(2020/C 383/09)
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) within three months from the date of this publication
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF NON-MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION FOR A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN OR PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION

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


‘ΠΑΤΑΤΑ ΝΑΞΟΥ’ (PATATA NAXOU)


ΕU No: PGI-GR-0708-AM01 – 14.11.2019


PDO ( ) PGI ( Χ )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

INFORMAL PATATA NAXOU PRODUCER AND PROCESSOR GROUP
The informal ‘Patata Naxou’ producer and processor group operates within the defined geographical area and currently grades, processes, packages and markets most of the ‘Patata Naxou’ production. Moreover, one of the members of the informal group (the Naxos Union of Agricultural cooperatives A.E.S. A.E.) has potato growers as members and it submitted the original application for registration of the name ‘Patata Naxou’ in the EU’s PDO-PGI register.
2.   Member State or third country

Greece
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 (packaging)










☒


Other (Checks, technical adaptation)




4.   Type of amendment(s)







☒


Amendment to the 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 the product specification of a 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.   Amendments



Description of the product








1.


In Section 2 of the specification (description of the product) the sentence:
‘The potato varieties grown in the geographical area (island of Naxos) are: Liseta, Spunta, Marfona, Vivaldi and Alaska.’
has been amended to read:
‘The potato varieties grown in the geographical area (island of Naxos) are: Liseta, Spunta, Marfona, Vivaldi, Alaska, El Beida, Farida, Noha and Burren.’
The amendment extends the range of potato varieties covered by the specification. The choice of the new varieties is aimed at adapting the specification for ‘Patata Naxou’ to changes in climatic conditions caused by climate change, as the new varieties are better adapted to the rainfall pattern that has been observed, with noticeably fewer days of rain per month and per year but high daily rainfall (heavy rain) that has been noted over the last 5 years in the defined area (island of Naxos). In particular, the new varieties yield a smaller percentage of misshapen potatoes than the currently approved varieties when there is heavy, persistent rain during the tuber-formation period, as there has been in recent years because of climate change. Moreover, because the tubers develop deeper down in the soil than those of the currently approved varieties, they are not left uncovered by heavy rain and the ensuing surface run-off, so they do not turn green.
It should be noted that the specific characteristics of ‘Patata Naxou’, i.e. early cropping, medium size, smooth appearance, uniformity and freedom from infestation and disease and defects in general, a dry matter content of more than 18 % and a sugar content of less than 1 % are not affected by the addition of the new varieties, i.e. they remain the same. These specific characteristics are due to the island’s specific soil and climatic characteristics and the numerous traditional cultivation methods that the local producers are still using today.
The new varieties, which are more resistant to dry conditions (drought) and suitable for early planting in years when there is not much rain, when good quality water reserves are already scarce from mid-May, will help producers to raise their income, which has fallen substantially because of climate change. They have desirable characteristics as regards production (high yields per unit area of land) and, in particular, quality (they keep better so there is less waste and a higher percentage of the crop is marketable, they crop early and are resistant to disease), which are adapted to the area’s soil and climatic conditions and they crop early, which is one of the specific characteristics of ‘Patata Naxou’. Conversely, the current situation is as follows: the fact that the large quantities of rain that fall in just a few days each month cannot be collected for irrigation or retained by the soil (surface run-off), something that has been observed in the defined geographical area over the last 5 years, has made the currently approved varieties less productive and the producers’ income has fallen. Thus, the addition of the new varieties, which do not alter the product’s specific quality characteristics, will help to protect the producers against loss of income and to maintain the current level of ‘Patata Naxou’ PGI production because it will be possible to plant more potato fields with these varieties.
The corresponding sentence in point 3.2 of the single document has also been amended.










2.


In Section 2 of the specification (description of the product) the sentence:
‘The tubers range from 35 to 65 millimetres in length, and are correspondingly round to oblong in shape.’
has been amended to read:
‘The tubers range from 35 mm to 75 mm in length, and are correspondingly round to oblong in shape.’
The reason for this amendment is that experimental cultivation in the field has shown that some of the new varieties produce slightly larger tubers. These new varieties have been added because they have desirable production characteristics, for example they are more resistant to dry weather conditions, keep better when stored, are resistant to disease and there is little waste, and for the reasons set out in detail in point 1. The increase in the maximum size of the potatoes from 65 mm to 75 mm does not change their classification as medium-sized potatoes, which is one of the specific characteristics of ‘Patata Naxou’.
The corresponding sentence in point 3.2 of the single document has also been amended.










3.


In Section 2 of the specification (description of the product) the following text:
‘The skin is yellow and smooth, unbroken with no abrasions. Each tuber has approximately 10 eyes on the surface and the flesh is a typical yellowish-white colour.’
has been amended to read:
‘The skin is pale yellow or yellow and smooth, unbroken with no abrasions. Each tuber has approximately 10 eyes on the surface and the flesh is a typical white, yellow or yellowish-white colour.’
The reason for these changes is to take account of the physical characteristics of the new varieties. The small changes in the colour of the potato flesh from ‘yellowish-white’ to ‘white, yellow or yellowish-white’ and in the colour of the skin from ‘yellow’ to ‘pale yellow or yellow’ do not alter the product’s specific organoleptic characteristics and will not make any difference to the consumer, as they are not specific characteristics of ‘Patata Naxou’. These new varieties have been added for the reasons set out in detail in point 1.
The corresponding text in point 3.2 of the single document has also been amended.










4.


In Section 2 of the specification (description of the product) the sentence:
‘A small percentage (<10 %) is made up of other varieties which are assessed by the local Propagation Material Production Centre and are periodically made available to the local producers for cultivation and assessment.’
has been amended to read:
‘A small percentage (<10 %) is made up of other varieties which will have the product characteristics described in the specification.’
Since the PGI was first approved and up until now the local Propagation Material Production Centre has been assessing the seed potatoes. In recent years seed potato production has fallen considerably and most of the land used for potato growing is now planted with potatoes intended for consumption, which was not the case in the year the original application for registration was approved and in the years that followed, when most of the potatoes grown were destined for use as seed potatoes. For this reason we have changed the wording to prevent any misunderstanding. In any event, checking for compliance with the specification is solely the responsibility of the competent inspection body and not the producers themselves.










5.


In Section 5(g) of the product specification (Harvesting) the sentence:
‘Harvesting of the spring crop starts at the end of May and finishes in the first ten days of July.’
has been amended to read:
‘Harvesting of the spring crop starts at the end of April and finishes in the first ten days of July.’
The reason for this amendment is that the new El Beida variety crops very early (it is harvested 80-85 days after planting).
The corresponding sentence in point 3.2 of the single document has also been amended.










6.


In Section 5(b) of the product specification (Planting of the seed potatoes) the sentence:
‘Today on Naxos there are two planting seasons: the spring crop is planted from mid-February until the beginning of March, while the autumn crop is planted from the beginning of August until the first days of September.’
has been amended to read:
‘Today on Naxos there are two planting seasons: the spring crop is planted from mid-January until the beginning of March, while the autumn crop is planted from the beginning of August until the first days of September.’
The reason for the amendment is that the new variety El Beida is planted from mid-January for the spring crop, as it is a very early variety, which is harvested 80-85 days after planting, so that the harvest begins at the end of April, when the water reserves used to irrigate the crop are of good quality.
The corresponding sentence in point 3.2 of the single document has also been amended.






Proof of origin








7.


In Section 4 of the product specification (Proof of origin) the paragraph concerning the register of ‘Patata Naxou’ growers:
‘Τhe register lists the current growers and is open to new growers. In order to ensure that the information is correctly updated on time, the register should be kept by the Naxos Union of Agricultural Cooperatives.’
has been amended to read:
‘The register lists the current producers and is open to new growers. It is kept by the “Patata Naxou” grading, packaging and trading companies. The companies must apply a traceability system that shows the relationship between input/raw material and output/final product at any given moment.
In particular, companies that grade/package the product must keep a record of the producers/growers they work with, which must include, among other things, the IACS land parcel code (cartographic base), the varieties grown on each land parcel and the quantities received from each producer and per land parcel.’
Under Greek law, in order to be certified as entitled to use the PGI, companies that grade, package and sell ‘Patata Naxou’ must be inspected by the PDO/PGI inspection and certification body ELGO-DIMITRA, which is attached to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The companies must apply a traceability system that shows the relationship between input/raw material and output/final product at any given moment. In particular, companies that grade/package the product must keep a record of the producers/growers they work with, which must include, among other things, the IACS land parcel code (cartographic base), the varieties grown on each land parcel and the quantities received from each producer and per land parcel.
The reason for this amendment is therefore to ensure that the information contained in the register which is notified to ΕLGO-DIMITRA by the ‘Patata Naxou’ grading and packaging companies is reliable and kept up to date. It also removes a restriction (that the registers can only be kept by the Naxos Union of Agricultural Cooperatives) and brings the rules into line with national provisions requiring product traceability checks to be performed by ELGO-DIMITRA.






Method of production








8.


In Section 5(b) of the product specification (Planting of the seed potatoes) the sentence:
‘The quantity of seed potato used is between 150 and 300 kilos per stremma depending on the size and the planting distances.’
has been amended to read:
‘The quantity of seed potato used is between 100 and 500 kilos per stremma depending on the size and the planting distances.’
The reason for this amendment is to adjust the quantity of seed potato planted per stremma to take account of the new potato varieties and the experimental data collected so far. The minimum quantity of certified seed potatoes depends on their size, the number of eyes per tuber, the planting distances, which are mainly determined by the machinery used on each holding, and the way in which the seed potatoes are cut into pieces, which varies from one producer to another and from one land parcel to another (for some land parcels where water retention and/or diseases are a problem, or there are simply not enough workers, the seed potatoes are not cut into pieces). For August-September planting the quantity of seed potatoes is between 300 and 500 kilos depending on size, as they are not usually cut into pieces, so they are heavier, while for January-March planting the quantity is between 110 and 180 kilos per stremma.
This amendment does not affect the product’s quality characteristics and is necessary to ensure crop yield and profitability.










9.


In Section 5(g) of the product specification (Harvesting) the sentence:
‘Today harvesting takes place around 90-120 days after planting, depending on the variety and the area where the potatoes are grown.’
has been amended to read:
‘Today harvesting takes place around 80-120 days after planting, depending on the variety and the area where the potatoes are grown.’
The reason for this amendment is the addition of the El Beida variety, which crops very early (it is harvested 80-85 days after planting).










10.


In Section 5(h) of the product specification (Post-harvest handling) the following text:
‘Today this is still done and it contributes significantly to the high quality of the potatoes.
After the potatoes have been cured, each producer declares his harvest to the cooperative and then, depending on the harvest records, sacks are distributed in order of precedence.
After the initial sorting of the pile in the field, the potatoes are packed in sacks and the agronomist in the field performs an initial quality check. The batch deemed suitable will be taken to the packhouse where a second quality check will be performed and any defective tubers removed, so that the potatoes can be repacked in sacks as checked.’
has been amended to read:
‘Today this is still done and it contributes significantly to the high quality of the potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes, while for potatoes intended for consumption the practice is now optional. Alternatively, the local producers, after harvesting and an initial sorting, which must be carried out once the potatoes have been dug up, may transport the potatoes intended for consumption to the modern cold stores that are now part of the island’s packaging facilities but did not exist before, where the potatoes intended for consumption retain their specific quality characteristics for months before being transported to final consumers all over Greece. Curing under cover of straw is no longer mandatory for the potatoes intended for consumption because: (a) when, immediately after harvesting, the potatoes intended for consumption are transported in sacks or bins to suitable storage facilities and kept in the right conditions (temperature and humidity) they are less susceptible to infestation by the potato tuber moth, whose development is slowed down in today’s cold stores, as local agronomists have observed; and (b) if the potatoes intended for consumption are directly transported to cold stores after harvesting, they can be quality checked before being packed into batches, as the potato blight life cycle speeds up in the cold, and any affected tubers can be removed before sale.
After the initial sorting in the field, the potatoes are put in sacks or bins and the agronomist in the field performs an initial quality check. Batches deemed suitable will be taken to the packhouse where a second quality check will be performed and any defective tubers removed, so that the potatoes can be repacked in sacks as checked.’
Accordingly, in point 3.4 (formerly point 3.5) of the single document the following text:
‘These steps must take place in the defined area because the local potato farmers have acquired the know-how to ensure an early harvest by capitalising on the local environmental conditions (timing of planting in relation to rainfall). In addition, after the potatoes are pulled up a specific step takes place whereby they are covered with straw so that the skin will thicken, making them more resistant to damage during transport, and superficial wounds can heal.’
has been amended to read:
‘These steps must take place in the defined area because the local potato farmers have acquired the know-how to ensure an early harvest by capitalising on the local environmental conditions (timing of planting in relation to rainfall). In addition, after the potatoes are pulled up a specific step takes place whereby they are covered with straw so that the skin will thicken, making them more resistant to damage during transport, and superficial wounds can heal. This step is mandatory for the potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes and optional for the potatoes intended for consumption.’
Accordingly, in point 5.1.C of the single document the following sentence:
‘Another specific feature of potato cultivation on Naxos is that the harvested potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes are cured under cover of straw.’
has been amended to read:
‘Another specific feature of potato cultivation on Naxos is that the harvested potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes are cured under cover of straw. For the potatoes intended for consumption, this step is retained on an optional basis.’
Accordingly, in point 5.3. of the single document entitled ‘Causal link between the geographical area and a specific quality, the reputation and other characteristic of the product’ the following text:
‘After the potatoes have been pulled up, the local potato farmers carry out an initial sorting in the field to discard foreign material and damaged tubers. The potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes are then arranged in piles in the field and covered with a layer of straw and then a layer of potato plants to protect them from the sun. The curing in the field improves the keeping qualities of the product: the skin hardens and thickens, which makes it more resistant to damage during transport, surface wounds can heal and the toxic glycoalkaloid content is reduced. The potatoes intended for consumption are transported immediately after harvesting to the “Patata Naxou” grading, storage, packaging and trading companies, where they are kept in suitable conditions (temperature and humidity).’
has been amended to read:
‘After the potatoes have been pulled up, the local potato farmers carry out an initial sorting in the field to discard foreign material and damaged tubers. The potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes are then arranged in piles in the field and covered with a layer of straw and then a layer of potato plants to protect them from the sun. For the potatoes intended for consumption, this step is retained on an optional basis. The curing in the field improves the keeping qualities of the product: the skin hardens and thickens, which makes it more resistant to damage during transport, surface wounds can heal and the toxic glycoalkaloid content is reduced. Alternatively, the potatoes intended for consumption may be transported immediately after harvesting to the “Patata Naxou” grading, storage, packaging and trading companies, where they are kept in suitable conditions (temperature and humidity).’
Accordingly, in Section 6.c.Ι of the product specification entitled ‘Link between the quality of the product and the geographical area’ the following text:
‘Another specific cultivation practice on Naxos, which contributes significantly to the high quality of the local potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes, is that the harvested tubers are cured under cover in the field. The skin hardens, which reduces the risk of secondary infestations and protects the potatoes from damage during transport (Attachment 23). This practice also reduces the risk of the glycoalkaloid content (toxins) increasing during further handling operations (Attachment 24).’
has been amended to read:
‘Another specific cultivation practice on Naxos, which contributes significantly to the high quality of the local potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes, is that the harvested tubers are cured under cover in the field. The skin hardens, which reduces the risk of secondary infestations and protects the potatoes from damage during transport (Attachment 23). This practice also reduces the risk of the glycoalkaloid content (toxins) increasing during further handling operations (Attachment 24). Curing under cover in the field is a mandatory post-harvest handling operation for potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes and an optional post-harvest handling operation for potatoes intended for consumption. Alternatively, the local producers, after harvesting and an initial sorting, which must be carried out once the potatoes have been dug up, may transport the potatoes intended for consumption to the modern cold stores that are now part of the island’s packaging facilities but did not exist before, where the potatoes intended for consumption retain their specific quality characteristics for months before being transported to final consumers all over Greece.’
The reason for these amendments is that when the application to have ‘Patata Naxou’ registered as a PGI was approved in March 2011, most of the potatoes produced were destined for use as seed potatoes, whereas for the last six years most of the ‘Patata Naxou’ production has been intended for consumption, and only a small percentage has been destined for use as seed potato. This is why curing under cover of straw no longer needs to be mandatory for the potatoes intended for consumption. The drop in demand for seed potatoes is mainly due to fierce competition in recent years from Cypriot seed potatoes, which are harvested earlier than on Naxos and consequently meet the needs of the different parts of Greece for early planting.
Curing in the field under cover of straw is mandatory for potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes, as it has been up to now, because while it is under cover ‘Patata Naxou’ matures and the skin hardens and thickens, so that it is more resistant to damage during transport and surface wounds can heal. These characteristics are desirable, as seed potatoes are stored for a long time for use the following growing season and they are transported for long distances all over Greece. This practice also reduces the risk of the glycoalkaloid content (toxins) in the seed potatoes increasing during further handling operations.
Curing under cover of straw is no longer mandatory for potatoes intended for consumption because: (a) when, immediately after harvesting, the potatoes intended for consumption are transported in sacks or bins to suitable storage facilities and kept in the right conditions (temperature and humidity) they are less susceptible to infestation by the potato tuber moth, whose development is slowed down in today’s cold stores, as local agronomists have observed; and (b) since the potatoes intended for consumption are directly transported to cold stores after harvesting, they can be quality checked before being packed into batches, as the potato blight life cycle speeds up in the cold, and any affected tubers can be removed before sale. Transporting the product to modern cold stores after harvesting and initial sorting in the field thus helps to improve the quality characteristics of ‘Patata Naxou’ (potatoes intended for consumption).
The amendment that ‘after the potatoes have been cured each grower declares his harvest to the cooperative and then, depending on the harvest records, sacks are distributed in order of precedence’ has been deleted because of the amendments under Proof of origin.
Lastly, the reason for adding bins as an alternative to sacks for transport and storage is that the potatoes suffer less damage and their quality is therefore less impaired, as they are less bumped about in the bins than in sacks and they breathe better during storage and keep longer as a result.






Inspections








11.


Section 7 of the specification:






‘1.


Organisation for the Certification and Supervision of Agricultural Products





(O.P.E.GE.P.)




Address: Patision & Androu 1, 11257 Athens, Greece




Tel. +30 2108231253




Fax +30 2108231438














2.


Cyclades Prefectural Authority





Directorate for Rural Development




Address: Afroditis 2, 84100 Ermoupoli, Greece




Tel. +30 2281082696




Email: u14403@minagric.gr’




has been amended to read:
‘The authorities responsible for checking that “Patata Naxou” complies with the requirements of the product specification are:






(1)


The Directorate-General for Quality Assurance of Agricultural Products of “ΕLGO-DIMITRA” (a legal person governed by private law) (address: Kourtidou 56-58 & Nirvana, 11145 Athens, Greece. Tel. +30 2108392000).










(2)


The Directorate-General for the Regional Rural Economy and Veterinary Affairs of the South Aegean Region (address: G. Mavrou 2, Zefiros, Rhodes, Greece. Tel. +30 2241364912 and +30 2241364876).










(3)


Rural Economic Affairs Department, Naxos Regional Unit (address: Chora, Naxos, Greece).’








The reason for the amendment is to update the details of the authorities responsible for checking that the product specification is complied with.
SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘ΠΑΤΑΤΑ ΝΑΞΟΥ’ (PATATA NAXOU)


EU No: PGI-GR-0708-AM01 – 14.11.2019


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name

‘Πατάτα Νάξου’ (Patata Naxou)
2.   Member State or third country

Greece
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6 – Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed
3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Patata Naxou’ is the edible tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum, which can be consumed in its natural state without the need for any processing (edible potatoes). The tubers range from 35 mm to 75 mm in length, and are correspondingly round to oblong in shape. The skin is pale yellow or yellow and smooth, unbroken with no abrasions. Each tuber has approximately 10 eyes on the surface and the flesh is a typical white, yellow or yellowish-white colour.
‘Patata Naxou’ is uniform in size, has a smooth appearance and is free of infestation and disease. It contains over 18 % dry matter and less than 1 % sugar. The spring crop is harvested very early.
The potato varieties grown on the island of Naxos are: Liseta, Spunta, Marfona, Vivaldi, Alaska, El Beida, Farida, Noha and Burren.
Today on Naxos there are two planting seasons: the spring crop is planted from mid-January until the beginning of March, while the autumn crop is planted from the beginning of August until the first days of September. Harvesting of the spring crop starts at the end of April and finishes in the first ten days of July.
3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)


Raw materials

—

Feed

—
3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

The following steps take place in the defined geographical area: planting, cultivation, harvesting and curing of the potatoes.
These steps must take place in the defined area because the local potato farmers have acquired the know-how to ensure an early harvest by capitalising on the local environmental conditions (timing of planting in relation to rainfall). In addition, after the potatoes are pulled up a specific steps takes place whereby they are covered with straw, so that the skin will thicken, making them more resistant to damage during transport, and superficial wounds can heal. This step is mandatory for the potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes and optional for the potatoes intended for consumption.
3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product to which the registered name refers

—
3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product to which the registered name refers

—
4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

‘Patata Naxou’ is produced on the island of Naxos. With a surface area of 428 km2, Naxos is the largest island in the Prefecture of the Cyclades in the region of the South Aegean. The total area planted with potatoes depends on the growing season and ranges from 1 500 to 1 700stremmata (150 to 170 hectares) for the autumn crop and 3 000stremmata (300 hectares) for the spring crop.
5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

Α. Climate: the climate data set out below are considered to be specific climatic factors responsible for the quality classification of the product:






(1)


relative humidity, which stays at an annual average of 71 %;










(2)


maximum annual rainfall of 370 mm;










(3)


northerly winds that prevail throughout the year;










(4)


annual average temperature of 17,5 °C;










(5)


202 days of sunshine a year;










(6)


virtually no frost.




Climatic factors that are especially important for cultivation of ‘Patata Naxou’ are the air humidity and the high temperatures. These conditions prevent Phytophthora spp. infestation, which causes the highest percentage of potato crop losses. Specifically, such infestation is favoured by relative humidity higher than 90 % and temperatures lower than 27 °C. The climatic conditions on Naxos are therefore crucial to preventing infestation by the most serious potato pest and, as there is minimal manifestation of other pathogens in the area, the use of plant protection products can be kept to a minimum.
In addition, the high temperatures combined with the long hours of sunshine extend the potato’s vegetative cycle to cover the whole year, and constitute optimal curing conditions for the tubers. Lastly, the temperature difference between day and night favours tuber formation.
Β. Soil: the bedrock of Naxos is crystalline rock, mainly granite, gneiss, marble and schists in the mountainous part of the island and tertiary sediments, mainly marls, sandstone and conglomerate rock in the lowland and coastal areas.
The island’s soil is deep, coarse-textured sandy loam, non-sodic and with zero erosion risk. It contains sufficient amounts of phosphorus and potassium and has medium magnesium and low organic matter content. Sandy loam drains well and permits the unhindered development of regular, clean tubers.
C. Human factor: the cultivation practices are also specifically adapted to the local environment; in combination with the aforementioned advantages, the growers take full advantage of the seasonal rainfall. The period of heavy rainfall, from November to February, coincides with the tuber development of the autumn crop and the sprouting of the spring crop. The cultivation practices are therefore clearly adapted to the local climatic conditions, and one of the main characteristics of the Patata Naxou, the fact that it crops early, is due to this adaptation.
Another specific feature of potato cultivation on Naxos is that the harvested potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes are cured under cover of straw. For the potatoes intended for consumption, this step is retained on an optional basis. After the potatoes have been pulled up and initial sorting has been carried out in order to discard foreign material and damaged tubers, the growers cover the potatoes with a layer of straw in the field, which is then covered with potato plants to protect them from the sun. During this time, the skin of ‘Patata Naxou’ hardens and thickens, which makes it more resistant to damage during transport, and surface wounds can heal. This practice also reduces the risk of the glycoalkaloid content increasing during further handling operations.
5.2.   Specificity of the product

‘Patata Naxou’ has acquired an excellent reputation on the market, as a product of consistently high quality. This reputation goes back almost two centuries to the beginnings of the modern Greek state. It is a product of great importance to the local community and is identified with the island of Naxos. It features in tourist guides to the island and in recipes of well-known chefs, and has been mentioned in the Greek and foreign press.
In addition, the fact that the spring crop is harvested early is a specific characteristic of ‘Patata Naxou’ that enhances its commercial value.
5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product

The link between the product and the geographical area derives from its reputation. The specificity of ‘Patata Naxou’ results from the combination of the specific soil and climatic conditions of the island of Naxos and local cultivation practices that have been adapted to these conditions. This differentiation has given ‘Patata Naxou’ a specific reputation throughout Greece, which is attested by references dating back to the first half of the 19th century, when the potato was first introduced into the country.
‘Patata Naxou’ first became famous in 1841, when it was offered to King Otto as a local speciality when he visited the island. In 1874 Dugit described it as one of the important agricultural products of Naxos. Later, in 1911, the first archived agricultural census in Greece recorded 1 119stremmata planted with potatoes on Naxos. In 1926, the reputation of ‘Patata Naxou’ had spread to such an extent that the community of Glinado chose the potato plant as the emblem for its seal.
The excellent quality of the potatoes produced on Naxos led the Greek state to set up the National Seed Potato Production Centre on the island in 1953, and in 1959 ‘Patata Naxou’ was entered in the list of products that the State must protect. Since then ‘Patata Naxou’ has been one of the local products promoted in Greek and foreign tourist guides.
Today, ‘Patata Naxou’ is famous throughout Greece and has been mentioned in many magazine and newspaper articles. It also features in tourist guides and cookery magazines, in the recipes of well-known Greek chefs and food critics and on the menus of well-known restaurants. In addition, every year the Naxos local authorities organise potato festivals, which confirm its reputation and its historical importance for the local community.
A specific feature of the spring crop of ‘Patata Naxou’ is that it is harvested very early. In particular, the cultivation practices are very important as the planting of the potatoes is timed to take full advantage of the seasonal rainfall and the availability of water resources. The fact that the spring crop of ‘Patata Naxou’ is harvested very early is a specific characteristic that enhances its market value and makes it highly sought after at the beginning of summer, when early potatoes are difficult to find.
After the potatoes have been pulled up, the local potato farmers carry out an initial sorting in the field to discard foreign material and damaged tubers. The potatoes destined for use as seed potatoes are then arranged in piles in the field and covered with a layer of straw and then a layer of potato plants to protect them from the sun. For the potatoes intended for consumption this step is retained on an optional basis. The curing in the field improves the keeping qualities of the product: the skin hardens and thickens, which makes it more resistant to damage during transport, surface wounds can heal and the toxic glycoalkaloid content is reduced. Alternatively, the potatoes intended for consumption may be transported immediately after harvesting to the ‘Patata Naxou’ grading, storage, packaging and trading companies, where they are kept in suitable conditions (temperature and humidity)..
The climatic factors that are favourable for the cultivation of ‘Patata Naxou’ are the humidity and the high temperatures, which prevent Phytophthora spp. infestation, thus minimising losses caused by this serious potato pest. This, together with the minimal manifestation of other pathogens in the area means that the use of plant protection products can be kept to a minimum. In addition, the high temperatures combined with the long hours of sunshine extend the vegetative cycle of the potato to cover the whole year, and constitute optimal curing conditions for the tubers. Lastly, the temperature difference between day and night favours tuber formation, while the sandy loam soil drains well and permits the unhindered development of regular, clean tubers.

Publication reference of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of the Regulation)
http://www.minagric.gr/images/stories/docs/agrotis/POP-PGE/prodiagrafes_patata_naxou120520.pdf


(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.