Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indications in the sector of the agricultural products and foodstuffs, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 2023/C 66/09
Date: 2023-02-23
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: United Kingdom, Wales, consumer information, designation of origin, fresh vegetable, labelling, potato, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, seed








C_2023066EN.01003201.xml










23.2.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 66/32






Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indications in the sector of the agricultural products and foodstuffs, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
(2023/C 66/09)
This communication is published in accordance with Article 6b(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

Communicating the approval of a standard amendment


(Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012)

1.   Name of product

Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes
2.   Third country to which the geographical area belongs

United Kingdom
3.   National authority or applicant group communicating the standard amendment

Defra
4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

1.   Original
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown from the basic seed varieties catalogued in the national registers of varieties of the Member States of the EU.
Amended
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown from the basic seed varieties catalogued in the national registers of varieties
2.   Original
The first crop in May is sold with the soil still on in order to protect the soft skin of the potatoes. As the season progresses the potato skin hardens sufficiently to allow washing. Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are harvested from the beginning of May until the end of July.
Amended
The first crop is sold with the soil still on in order to protect the soft skin of the potatoes. As the season progresses the potato skin hardens sufficiently to allow washing.
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are usually harvested from the beginning of May until the end of July subject to weather conditions.
3.   Original
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown from seed purchased in the preceding autumn. (…)
Amended
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown from seed purchased from aphid free certified sources. (…)
4.   Original
Immediately post harvest, before the potatoes leave the farm, each batch of potatoes, is allocated a unique number which is traceable makes reference to the date and field of harvest and the name and address of the Pembrokeshire farm from which it came. This information is available to processors.
Amended
At harvest, before the potatoes leave the farm, each batch of potatoes, is allocated a unique code which is traceable; it makes reference to the date and field of harvest and the name of the Pembrokeshire farm from which it came. This information is available to processors.
5.   Original
If further processing occurs, e.g. if potatoes from a 1 ton box are washed and put into the smaller packs of the weights mentioned above, each pack will be allocated a separate number which makes reference to the 1 ton box from which it came.
Amended
If further processing occurs, e.g. if potatoes from a 1 tonne box are washed and put into the smaller packs of the weights mentioned above, each batch will be allocated a separate number which is traceable to the field and grower.
6.   Original
The traceability system covers primary packaging (in direct contact with food), other relevant packaging materials such as printed outer packaging and processing aids
Amended
The traceability system covers primary packaging (in direct contact with food), and processing aids
7.   Original
When soil temperatures are approaching 10 degrees C this is usually in the last two weeks of February, (but can be as early as January on coastal frost free land), the soil is power harrowed to further break it down, to make it as fine and free draining as possible. The soil is then ready for planting.
Amended
When soil temperatures are above 0 degrees C and moisture levels allow the soil to be friable enough for cultivation. This is usually in the last two weeks of February, (but can be as early as January on coastal frost free land), the soil is tilled followed by destoning to further break it down, making it as fine and free draining as possible. The soil is then ready for planting.
8.   Original
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown from seed registered with the Seed Classification Scheme or equivalent. Seed potatoes are often delivered to farm in the preceeding autumn. (…) The chitting house is well ventilated to minimise the risk of disease, condensation and help prevent the temperature in the chitting house rising above 10 degrees C. (…)
Amended
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown from seed registered with the Seed Classification Scheme or equivalent. (…)
The chitting house is well ventilated to minimise the risk of disease, condensation and help prevent the temperature in the chitting house rising above 15 degrees C. (…)
9.   Original
The plants emerge in mid -March. From the start of May until the end of July the crop will be sprayed (…)
Amended
Following plant emergence, the crop will be sprayed (…)
10.   Original
Following test digs, harvesting occurs from the beginning of May until the end of July.
Amended
Following test digs, harvesting usually occurs from the beginning of May until the end of July, subject to weather conditions.
11.   Original
Hand picking is necessary when growing Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on steep sloping land, and during the first two weeks of the harvest when the skin of the potatoes are very soft.
Amended
Hand picking may be necessary when growing Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on steep sloping land, and during the first two weeks of the harvest when the skin of the potatoes are very soft.
12.   Original
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early potatoes are brought to market as quickly as possible in order to provide the freshest product possible –usually within 48 hours of being harvested
Amended
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early potatoes are brought to market as quickly as possible in order to provide the freshest product possible.
13.   Original
As referenced in section 4.5. Hand picking is necessary when growing Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on steep sloping land and during the first two weeks of the harvest when the potatoes are very soft.
Amended
As referenced in section 4.5. Hand picking may be necessary when growing Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on steep sloping land and during the first two weeks of the harvest when the potatoes are very soft.
These amendments are standard amendments as they do not affect the final characteristics of the end product.
Single Documents changes
Headings in Single Document affected by the amendment(s)








3.2.


Description












5.2.


Specificity of the product












5.3.


Causal Link












3.2.


Description of product
Original
(…) and are harvested from the beginning of May until the end of July.
Amended
(…) and are harvested usually from the beginning of May until the end of July subject to weather conditions.












5.2.


Specificity of the product
Original
During the soil preparation process, smaller stones are retained in the ground to assist the warming of the soil, when soil temperatures approach 10oc, the soil is power harrowed to further break it down to make it as fine and free draining as possible.
Amended
During the soil preparation process, smaller stones are retained in the ground to assist the warming of the soil. When soil temperatures are above 0 oC and moisture levels allow the soil to be friable enough for cultivation, the soil is tilled to further break it down to make it as fine and free draining as possible.
Original
The potatoes are hand-picked and sold with the soil on to minimise damage. As the season progresses the skin of the potato hardens sufficiently to allow careful machine harvesting but the young soft nature of the potato necessitates that machine harvesting must always be carried out with great care.
Amended
Hand picking may be necessary when growing Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on steep sloping land, and during the first two weeks of the harvest when the skin of the potatoes are very soft.












5.3.


Causal Link
Original
In addition, when Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are first harvested they are handpicked (not mechanically harvested) and sold with soil on to protect the soft skin of the potato.
Amended
In addition, when Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are first harvested, hand picking may be necessary and sold with soil on to protect the soft skin of the potato.
These amendments are standard amendments as they do not affect the final characteristics of the end product.




SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Pembrokeshire Earlies’/ ‘Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes’


EU No: PGI-GB-1087-AM01 – 30.11.2022


PGI(X) PDO()

1.   Name

‘Pembrokeshire Earlies’/ ‘Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes’
2.   Member State or Third Country

.United Kingdom
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6 : Fruits, Vegetables and Cereals fresh or processed.
3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes is the name given to immature potatoes of the Solanum tuberosum species of the Solanaceae family. They must be planted, grown and harvested in the defined area, the county of Pembrokeshire in West Wales.
The potato is small in size (15-70 mm in diameter) is round or oval in shape with a soft skin and distinctive strong fresh, earthy, nutty flavour and aroma. It has a creamy texture and white to a light yellow colour which is consistent throughout the potato. The seed tubers are planted from mid February each year (but can be as early as late January on coastal frost free land) and are harvested usually from the beginning of May until the end of July subject to weather conditions.
This is much earlier than in other parts of Wales, as the warmer climate and fertile, free working and free draining soils in the designated area means that there is a lower risk of frost than elsewhere in inland Wales.
The unique qualities of Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes derive from the mild climate and unique soils of Pembrokeshire which enables the potato to be planted grown and harvested early in the year. Their short growing season and freshness produces their fresh distinctive ‘earthy’ early potato flavour.
The potatoes are sold either loose by weight or packaged in a range of weights according to customer requirements.
3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only)

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

—
3.5.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early potatoes must be planted, grown and harvested in the designated area.
3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

—
3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling

Labelling must include either the term ‘Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes’ or ‘Pembrokeshire Earlies’
4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The County of Pembrokeshire in West Wales
5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

The County of Pembrokeshire is situated in the Western most point of Wales and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Pembrokeshire benefits from the warmth generated by the sea which is warmed by the North Atlantic Drift of the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a warm current that keeps the western coast of Great Britain warmer than the Eastern side. It is the warming effect of the sea and equitability of the climate which helps the Pembrokeshire soils warm earlier and make the county suitable for early potato production. The warming effect of the climate also minimises the risk of frost which is hugely beneficial in preventing damage to the emerging crop.
The soil and climate of the designated area underpin the reputation of Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes. It is these soil and climatic conditions that enables Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes to be grown and harvested early in the year. The short and early growing season produces a small potato with a fresh distinctive earthy taste and nutty aroma
The geology of Pembrokeshire is that it is made up of immensely old rocks of Pre Cambrian, Lower Palaeozoic and Upper Palaeozoic age and these rocks generate distinct soils. Most Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are grown in Red Sandstone soils on coastal south facing slopes which are inherently fertile, free working, free draining and they warm up quickly in the Spring. The temperate climate of Pembrokeshire and fertile soils allow a mean growing season of 9 months which is longer and earlier than other counties of Wales. The land is stony and although larger stones may be removed to minimise tuber damage, the remaining smaller stones help the soil to warm up by retaining field heat over night.
5.2.   Specificity of the product

Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are characterised and valued by their distinct appearance and flavour. Their reputation and demand is underpinned by the fact that they are the earliest potatoes available in Wales and they have a distinctive, appearance, flavour and consistency.
During the soil preparation process, smaller stones are retained in the ground to assist the warming of the soil. When soil temperatures are above 0 oC and moisture levels allow the soil to be friable enough for cultivation, the soil is tilled to further break it down to make it as fine and free draining as possible. The soil is pushed up into shallow drills and the potatoes are planted by hand or by machine. To achieve quick growth, the seed is planted under approximately 75 mm of soil with the same amount of soil underneath. These shallow drills enable quicker heating of the soil and allow swift emergence. The small size of Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes at harvest, require shallow drills.
When harvested, Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are small in size, due to their young age when harvested. They have a distinctive fresh strong earthy nutty flavour and aroma. During the first two weeks of harvesting, the skin of the potatoes is soft and delicate and requires delicate handling. Hand picking may be necessary when growing Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on steep sloping land, and during the first two weeks of the harvest when the skin of the potatoes are very soft.
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are well established and widely recognised by the food industry both in the UK and worldwide. As a quality product it is used by many top chefs and gastronomes and it regularly appears as a named product on their menus. Many renowned restaurateurs and agri-food businesses have demonstrated their preference for this early potato.
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 reputation and demand for Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes is that they are the earliest potatoes available in Wales and they have a distinct strong fresh, earthy, nutty flavour and aroma. The climate of the designated area and the fertile free working, free draining, stony soils means that the soils warm up quicker enabling Pembrokeshire to have the earliest and longest growing season in Wales. This enables Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes to be planted, grown and harvested earlier than anywhere else in inland Wales. The ability to harvest Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes at such a young age means that their organoleptic properties are qualitatively different from those of mature tubers.
Growers of Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes have an innate knowledge of local characteristics and particular skills associated with growing these early potatoes. These are specific to the area and crop, have been developed over the years and handed down from one generation to the next. Soil preparation is important with often small stones being left in the soil to aid warming and it requires growers’ skill and experience to know when the chitted potatoes are at the optimum stage of development for planting. When to plant to maximise yields involves having a ‘feel’ and understanding of a combination of factors such as soil condition, soil temperature and the weather. In addition, when Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes are first harvested, hand picking may be necessary and sold with soil on to protect the soft skin of the potato.
The history of the designated area is synonymous with early potato growing and highlights the economic and cultural importance of Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes to the county of Pembrokeshire. Redcliffe Salaman notes in his book ‘The History and Social influence of the potato’, that as far back as 1776 potato cultivation in Pembrokeshire was widespread. In the Second World War a significant acreage of potatoes was grown in Pembrokeshire and the importance of growing Pembrokeshire early potatoes in the county has continued throughout the 1950’s and remains to the present day. A Pembrokeshire Potato Marketing Group was established in the 1980’s and in 1995 a processing plant was constructed which now grades and processes Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes for the multiple market.
Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes have a reputation of quality and are well established and highly recognised by the food industry locally in Pembrokeshire, in Wales, UK and overseas. As a quality product they are used by many top chefs and gastronomes and regularly appear as a named product on their menus as a regional speciality and although they can be served in a number of ways, the most popular being simply boiled when fresh with butter. Renowned restaurateurs and agri-food businesses have demonstrated their preference for these early potatoes
Owen Hall, Chef at the Wolfscastle Hotel, Pembrokeshire Wales
‘…in my opinion Pembrokeshire Earlies have a unique flavour due to the rich soil in Pembrokeshire.’
In 2009 Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes were awarded several True Taste of Wales awards.


(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.