Publication of an application for approval of an amendment, which is not minor, 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 2023/C 80/11
Date: 2023-03-03
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Abruzzi, Italy, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, root vegetable




C_2023080EN.01007101.xml










3.3.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 80/71






Publication of an application for approval of an amendment, which is not minor, 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
(2023/C 80/11)
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 AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS 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


’Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino'


EU No: PGI-IT-0270-AM03 – 15.4.2022


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

AURELI MARIO S.S. AGRICOLA DEI F.LLI AURELI
Address: Via Mario Aureli 7, 67050 Ortucchio (AQ), Italy
Email: amministrazione@pec.aurelimario.com
The agricultural undertaking AURELI MARIO S.S. AGRICOLA DEI F.LLI AURELI 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




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)

DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT
Article 2(1):
‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI carrots are cultivars of the species Daucus carota L. grown in the area defined in Article 3 of this product specification. The varieties that may be used to grow them are: MAESTRO (Vilmorin); PRESTO (Vilmorin); CONCERTO (Vilmorin); NAPOLI (Bejo); NANDOR (Clause); DORDOGNE (SG)
is hereby amended as follows:
‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI carrots are cultivars of the species Daucus carota L. grown in the area defined in Article 3 of this product specification. The varieties that may be used to grow them are: MAESTRO (Vilmorin); PRESTO (Vilmorin); CONCERTO (Vilmorin); NAPOLI (Bejo); NANDOR (Clause); DORDOGNE (SG); SUENIO-VAC113 (Vilmorin); NATUNIA (Bejo); NAMIBIA (Bejo); NOVARA (Bejo); BANGOR (Bejo); CARVALO (Seminis); ALLYANCE F1 (Nunhems); ROMANCE F1 (Nunhems); LAGUNA F1 (Nunhems); BRILLYANCE F1 (Nunhems); SIRKANA F1 (Nunhems); BENAGALA F1 (Carosem); CARAVEL F1 (Carosem); CARILLON F1 (Carosem); HYB – 104 PILLOLE (Meridiem Seeds); CARVORA (Seminis); CHAMPION (Sygenta); ZANAHORIA HYB (Meridiem Seeds).
The amendment involves updating and expanding the range of varieties that can be used. It is due to the high degree and speed of varietal renewal in the sector as well as the need to ensure the availability of the PGI product. The current requirements limit the use of other cultivars or hybrids available on the market, despite them not only showing in the production area the same product and quality characteristics as those laid down in the specification, but often even featuring improvements in some agronomic aspects (strong resistance to certain plant diseases) and in terms of shelf life.
It is also important not to be tied to a small number of varieties and seed companies in order to be able to respond promptly to qualitative and quantitative market demands and potential opportunities arising from new scenarios due to various commercial needs, as this is more profitable in terms of economic models linked to climate conditions.
On that basis and in light of the positive scientific evidence gathered during experiments carried out in the area concerned, it has been deemed appropriate to amend the product specification to include the use of additional varieties and hybrids that can better respond to new agronomic and market requirements.
These amendments would make it possible to significantly increase interest among producers in joining the ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ control scheme, which is currently rather limited because only a reduced number of commercial varieties is available/permitted. Another effect of these amendments would be a significant increase in the quantity of carrots being certified, given the significant demand for new varieties and hybrids that better meet new market and consumer requirements.
The amendment also concerns point 3.2 of the single document.
In Article 2(3), the following text describing the characteristics of the product:
The product must have the following characteristics:
Shape: cylindrical with a rounded tip, no ‘hairy’ secondary roots
Colour: deep orange, including the shoulders
Content:






—


sucrose > 3 %










—


beta-carotene > 60 mg/kg










—


ascorbic acid > 5 mg/kg










—


protein > 0,5 %










—


fibre > 1,2 %




Physical properties: crunchy, breaks cleanly
is hereby amended as follows:
The product must have the following characteristics:
Shape: cylindrical with a rounded tip, no ‘hairy’ secondary roots
Colour: deep orange, including the shoulders
Content:






—


sucrose > 2 %










—


beta-carotene > 50 mg/kg










—


ascorbic acid > 5 mg/kg










—


protein > 0,4 %










—


fibre > 1,2 %




Physical properties: crunchy, breaks cleanly
The various analytical tests performed by authorised laboratories on behalf of the Control Body on dozens of samples taken from the carrots submitted for inspection over a four-year period (2017-2020) have in some years revealed parameter values lower than those stipulated in the specification.
The following table shows the values laid down in the specification, the minimum values found by the control body in the batches submitted for certification and the values proposed in the amendment.
Note that the values indicated in the amendment proposal are well above the minimum values detected in the four years in question, in order to maintain and ensure the objective quality of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ (PGI):







Parameter


Value in the current specification




Minimum values detected 2017-2020


Values proposed in amendment




Sucrose


> 3  %


 




 


1,7  %


 




 


> 2  %


 




Beta-carotene


> 60  mg/kg


25  mg/kg




 


> 50  mg/kg


 




Ascorbic acid


> 5  mg/kg


0  mg/kg




 


> 5  mg/kg


 




Protein


> 0,5  %


0  %




 


> 0,4  %


 




Fibre


> 1,2  %


 




 


> 1  %


 




 


> 1,2  %


 




More specifically, it has been deemed appropriate:






—


to slightly lower the beta-carotene content value from > 60 mg/kg to > 50 mg/kg based on the results of field tests carried out in the area concerned. The tests carried out revealed that beta-carotene content is influenced by the amount of fertilisers used and particularly by the fertilisation technique. Beta-carotene levels are higher with increased rates of nitrogen fertilisation, especially if the fertigation method is used close to harvest time.
As well as being costly and not being beneficial for the final product yield, these practices often leave the carrots more prone to storage disease. They are also at odds with the new guidelines on environmental sustainability, which are designed to reduce nitrogen inputs and encourage more responsible consumption of water resources in agriculture.
The combination of soil/climate and production factors in the area of reference, particularly the climate influenced by the altitude of the Fucino plateau, has an impact on variables such as temperature ranges, rainfall and light, which can lead to variations in the sugar and beta-carotene content.
The current requirement provided for the beta-carotene content in ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ carrots is above 60 mg/kg. The requirement being proposed is above 50 mg/kg. This will allow producers to better respond to the changing sustainability needs of the supply chain while at the same time protecting the specific characteristics of the product by ensuring that ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ carrots continue to meet requirements that are above the mean values reported in the literature for carrots.










—


to lower the sucrose content value from > 3 % to > 2 %. Lowering the sucrose content is not relevant in qualitative terms because consumers do not think of carrots as a vegetable with substantial sugar content. Moreover, the value being proposed does not have any impact on the characteristics, marketability or recognisability of the product on the market.










—


to lower the protein content of the carrots from > 0,5 % to > 0,4 %. Lowering the protein content is not relevant in qualitative terms because consumers do not think of carrots as a vegetable with substantial protein content. Moreover, the value being proposed does not have any negative impact on the characteristics, marketability or recognisability of the product on the market.




The amendment also concerns point 3.2 of the single document.
In Article 10, the following text:
The upper part of the logo consists of the words ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ in Cooper BlkHd BT font, in green (Pantone P.C.S. (S 274-1 CVS)) with a black outline. The size of the letters visibly undulates, representing high ground in the middle of the phrase (‘Altopiano’) and lower ground at the end (‘Fucino’). Below it, the words INDICAZIONE GEOGRAFICA PROTETTA [PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION] appear in Arial Rounded MT Bold in white against a blue bubble (Pantone Reflex Blue). The EU PGI symbol is displayed to the left of the wording.
has been amended to read:
The upper part of the logo, which must feature on the product label, consists of the words ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ in Cooper BlkHd BT font, in green (Pantone P.C.S. (S 274-1 CVS)) with a black outline. The size of the letters visibly undulates, representing high ground in the middle of the phrase (‘Altopiano’) and lower ground at the end (‘Fucino’). Below it, the words Indicazione Geografica Protetta [Protected Geographical Indication] appear in Arial Rounded MT Bold in white against a blue bubble (Pantone Reflex Blue). The European Union PGI symbol is displayed to the left of the text.
It has been deemed opportune to specify that including the logo on the product labelling is mandatory and to include a visual depiction of it in point 3.6 of the single document. The word ‘scritta’ has been replaced by the word ‘menzione’ (in the Italian version; the English version is unaffected by this particular change). The references to the EU PGI symbol have also been corrected, replacing the word ‘logo’ with the word ‘symbol’ and the reference to ‘EU’ with ‘European Union’.
The amendment also concerns point 3.6 of the single document.
As regards the wording of the single document (Section 5.3 thereof, in particular), the text of the single document currently in force, i.e. that which was published in the 
Official Journal of the European Union C 272 of 20 September 2013, has been reproduced with no changes.
SINGLE DOCUMENT

’Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino'


EU No: PGI-IT-0270-AM03 – 15.4.2022


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

’Carota dell'Altopiano del Fucino'
2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy
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

‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI carrots are cultivars of the species Daucus carota L. grown in the area defined in Article 3 of this product specification. The varieties that may be used to grow them are: MAESTRO (Vilmorin); PRESTO (Vilmorin); CONCERTO (Vilmorin); NAPOLI (Bejo); NANDOR (Clause); DORDOGNE (SG); SUENIO-VAC113 (Vilmorin); NATUNIA (Bejo); NAMIBIA (Bejo); NOVARA (Bejo); BANGOR (Bejo); CARVALO (Seminis); ALLYANCE F1 (Nunhems); ROMANCE F1 (Nunhems); LAGUNA F1 (Nunhems); BRILLYANCE F1 (Nunhems); SIRKANA F1 (Nunhems); BENAGALA F1 (Carosem); CARAVEL F1 (Carosem); CARILLON F1 (Carosem); HYB – 104 PILLOLE (Meridiem Seeds); CARVORA (Seminis); CHAMPION (Sygenta); ZANAHORIA HYB (Meridiem Seeds).
The product must have the following characteristics:
Shape: cylindrical with a rounded tip, no ‘hairy’ secondary roots
Colour: deep orange, including the shoulders
Content:






—


sucrose > 2 %










—


beta-carotene > 50 mg/kg










—


ascorbic acid > 5 mg/kg










—


protein > 0,4 %










—


fibre > 1,2 %




Physical properties: crunchy, breaks cleanly
3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

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

All stages in the growing of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ must take place in the geographical production area defined under point 4.
3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

Immediately after being harvested, the carrots must be taken to packing plants where, before being washed and packed, they are cooled to ensure that they retain their crunchiness, external colour and flavour.
3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The product must be sold in new wooden, cardboard or plastic packaging, clearly labelled with the following information:
The name ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’, accompanied by the abbreviation ‘IGP’ and the words ‘Indicazione Geografica Protetta’ [Protected Geographical Indication], in characters at least double those of any other wording.
All information needed to identify the name, business name, address of the producer/packager and any other information required by the relevant rules.
The use of additional qualifiers is prohibited.
Products made using ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI as a raw material may be marketed in packaging referring to the PGI but without the EU symbol, even if the carrots have been processed and transformed, provided that:






—


‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI-certified carrots are the only ingredient belonging to the product group concerned;










—


any operator using ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI to make derived products is listed on the register established, maintained and updated for this purpose by the body authorised by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies and monitored by that body only in relation to its use of the PGI.




Non-exclusive use of ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ PGI means that it may only be listed as one of the ingredients of the product which contains it or into which it has been made, in accordance with current legislation.
The upper part of the logo, which must feature on the product label, consists of the words ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ in Cooper BlkHd BT font, in green (Pantone P.C.S. (S 274-1 CVS)) with a black outline. The size of the letters visibly undulates, representing high ground in the middle of the phrase (‘Altopiano’) and lower ground at the end (‘Fucino’). Below it, the words Indicazione Geografica Protetta [Protected Geographical Indication] appear in Arial Rounded MT Bold in white against a blue bubble (Pantone Reflex Blue). The European Union symbol is displayed to the left of the text.





4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area for ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ comprises the entire Altopiano del Fucino area.
The border is marked by the Circonfucense provincial road and the area includes parts of the territory, divided by farm roads into numbered plots of land, of the following municipalities of the Province of L’Aquila: Avezzano and dependant villages; Celano and dependant villages; Cerchio; Aielli; Collarmele; Pescina and dependant villages; S. Benedetto dei Marsi; Gioia nei Marsi and dependant villages; Lecce dei Marsi; Ortucchio; Trasacco; Luco dei Marsi.
5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

The Altopiano del Fucino, an area particularly well-known for vegetable production, is in south-central Italy, in the region known as the ‘Regione dei Parchi’ [parks region], Abruzzo.
Comprising 16 000 hectares, the area is entirely flat, at an elevation of 700 m above sea level, and surrounded by mountains of particular environmental interest such as those in the Abruzzo National Park, the Velino-Sirente park and Mounts Ernici and Simbruini.
Its agricultural origins date back to the end of the 19th century, when Prince Alessandro Torlonia completed the drainage of what was considered Italy's third-largest lake: Il Lago del Fucino [Fucine Lake].
The soil is sandy-loam with a high level of active calcium carbonate and the pH is from slightly alkaline to alkaline, with high levels of organic matter that can be attributed to the abundant manuring carried out by Fucino farmers every other year.
The climate is influenced by the surrounding mountain ranges, the altitude and the relative humidity produced by a dense network of water channels which ensure both that water needs are met during the growing season and that surplus water is collected in winter. Essentially, winters are harsh and rainy while in the summer the whole area is affected by the heat, particularly in July and the first half of August; and, as a result of the altitude, the temperature in the area varies considerably between night and day.
5.2.   Specificity of the product

‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ is generally cylindrical in shape with a rounded tip, free of ‘hairy’ secondary roots or deep lateral root scars, with smooth skin and a deep orange colour throughout the entire root. Other characteristics can be traced back to the nutrient content: ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ carrots have high, well-balanced ascorbic acid and total sugar contents.
The vitamins in ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ are another typical element which makes the product readily distinguishable: thiamine, riboflavin and above all carotene are present in high concentrations.
5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a given quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ carrots are the leading crop in the Fucino area, partly because of the unique qualities that the product acquires from the terroir.
In fact, it is thanks to the climate conditions and the nature and type of soil in the production area (very loose with no skeletal particles) that ‘Carota dell’Altopiano del Fucino’ carrots acquire the organoleptic and nutritional properties described above, which are appreciated and recognised by European consumers.
Because carrots are grown so extensively in the area, connected industries have also emerged, namely post-harvest and packing facilities and processing plants that produce diced carrots or carrot juice. All of this – the area’s excellent soil and climate conditions combined with the high level of specialisation of the operators in the sector, both growers and marketers, and the extensive presence of processing facilities – has earned the area a reputation as a carrot-growing area par excellence..

Reference to publication of the specification

The full text of the product specification is available on the following website: 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 ‘Qualità’ (at the top right 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.