Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the sector of agricultural products and foodstuffs, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
Date: 2024-07-18
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Calabria, Italy, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, potato, product designation, quality control of agricultural products




C_202404538EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2024/4538


18.7.2024






Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the sector of agricultural products and foodstuffs, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
(C/2024/4538)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 6b(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).
COMMUNICATION OF THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN OR PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION ORIGINATING IN A MEMBER STATE

(Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012)



                     ‘Patata della Sila’
                  


EU No: PGI-IT-0643-AM01 – 30.4.2024
                  


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name of product


               ‘Patata della Sila’
            
2.   Member State to which the geographical area belongs

Italy
3.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry
—
4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

Explanation of why the amendment(s) fall under the definition of a standard amendment as provided for in Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012
The amendments to the specification and the single document are standard amendments under Article 53 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 for the following reasons:






(a)


they do not amend the name of the protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication or the use of that name;










(b)


they are unlikely to void the link referred to in Article 5(1)(b) for protected designations of origin or in Article 5(2)(b) for protected geographical indications;










(c)


they do not involve a traditional speciality guaranteed; or










(d)


they do not entail any further restrictions on the marketing of the product.




1.   Removal and inclusion of varieties
Article 2 of the specification and point 3.2 of the single document have been amended to remove the ‘Ditta’ and ‘Majestic’ varieties and include the ‘Fontane’, ‘Krone’, ‘Jelly’, ‘Cherie’, ‘Cupido’, ‘Manitou’, ‘Laura’, ‘Sunita’, ‘Inova’, ‘Almonda’ and ‘Malice’ varieties.
The list of selected varieties has been amended in order to ensure that there is a connection between the permitted varieties and those actually used and available on the market, by removing varieties such as ‘Ditta’ and ‘Majestic’, which have long been almost unused or untraceable, and including several not included at the time of drafting of the specification, but which are characterised by specific features which are very similar to those which mark out the varieties currently indicated and in any event already widely used in the production area such as ‘Fontane’, ‘Krone’, ‘Jelly’, ‘Cherie’, ‘Cupido’, ‘Manitou’, ‘Laura’, ‘Sunita’, ‘Inova’, ‘Almonda’ and ‘Malice’.
This amendment affects the single document.
2.   Revision of description of shape
The description of the shape in Article 2 of the specification and point 3.2 of the single document has been revised by replacing the words:
Shape: Round - Round/oval - Long/oval
with the following:
Shape: round, oval or oblong depending on the variety
The text changes do not affect meaning and content but are only for the purposes of greater precision and clarity.
This amendment affects the single document.
3.   Change to definition of size
The description of the sizes in Article 2 of the specification and point 3.2 of the single document has been amended by replacing the values:
Size: between






—


0/28 mm (‘granaglia’)










—


28/45 mm (‘mezzanella’ or ‘tondello’)










—


between 46/75 mm (‘prima’)










—


more than 76 mm (‘fiorone’)




with the following:
Size: between






—


> 28 and <= 45 mm (‘mezzanella’ or ‘tondello’);










—


> 45 and <= 75 mm (‘prima’);










—


> 75 mm (‘fiorone’)




The ‘granaglia’ type has been removed from the list because it is less than 28 mm in size, and since harvesting is now carried out by mechanical means which pick up larger tubers, it is in fact no longer sold.
The other sizes are retained but have been reformulated so that the values are more precise without also changing the sizes.
This amendment affects the single document.
4.   Use of anti-sprouting treatments
The last paragraph of Article 5 of the product specification is amended from:


                     ‘Anti-sprouting treatments with chemical synthesis products are not permitted. The “Patata della Sila” may be grown in accordance with the cultivation methods of organic farming and/or integrated farming, as provided for in the relevant Community and national rules.’
                  

to:


                     ‘Anti-sprouting treatments with synthetic chemical products are not permitted. Anti-sprouting treatments are permitted, however, only with products which may be used in organic farming. Without prejudice to the above, the “Patata della Sila” may be grown in accordance with the cultivation methods of organic farming and/or integrated farming, as provided for in the relevant Community and national rules.’
                  

The amendment maintains the prohibition of the use of anti-sprouting treatments with synthetic chemical products, but is necessary in order to identify which anti-sprouting products may be used in the production of the PGI.
The amendment does not affect the single document.
5.   Update of references to the EU Regulation
Article 7 of the specification has been updated to include references to Article 36 and Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.
The amendment does not affect the single document.
6.   Amendment of types of packaging
The description of the types of packaging in Article 8 of the specification and point 3.6 of the single document has been amended as follows:
Packaging
To be released for consumption, the ‘Patata della Sila’ must be packaged in one of the following types of packaging:






—


Vertbags, Girsacs and bags of 1 kg to 5 kg;










—


nets of 0,5 kg to 2,5 kg;










—


bags of 2 kg to 10 kg;










—


boxes of 1 kg to 20 kg;










—


wooden boxes of 5 kg to 20 kg;










—


baskets of 10 kg to 20 kg;










—


pallets of 0,5 kg to 1 kg;










—


trays of 0,5 kg to 1 kg.




In order to reflect the changing needs of consumers, which appear to be increasingly segmented (the market shows very diverse weight ranges) and significantly based on small volumes, the changes made will make it possible to sell the product in lower quantities than so far has been the case for net bags, bags, boxes and wooden boxes, which may be freely decided by the operator within the minimum and maximum limits laid down for each type of packaging (thus removing the requirement to market the product in weights which are strictly predetermined, without the possibility of having intermediate measures).
This amendment affects the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT


                     ‘Patata della Sila’
                  


EU No: PGI-IT-0643-AM01 - 30.4.2024
                  


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]


               ‘Patata della Sila’
            
2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product [as in Annex XI]

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

The name ‘Patata della Sila’ designates the storage potato of the Solanum tuberosum species in the Solanaceae family obtained from the ‘Agria’, ‘Desiree’, ‘Marabel’, ‘Nicola’, ‘Fontane’, ‘Krone’, ‘Jelly’, ‘Cherie’, ‘Cupido’, ‘Manitou’, ‘Laura’, ‘Sunita’, ‘Inova’, ‘Almonda’ and ‘Malice’ varieties, which must have the following characteristics:
Shape: round, oval or oblong depending on the variety.
Size: > 28 mm and <= 45 mm (‘mezzanella’ or ‘tondello’); > 45 mm and <= 75 mm (‘prima’); > 75 mm (‘fiorone’).
Peel: resistant to friction.
Flesh: compact, firm when pressed.
Dry matter: minimum content 19 %
When released for consumption the potatoes must be healthy, without sprouts, whole, clean, with no blemishes over 3 mm deep or pest damage. There may be cuts and/or scratches and/or abrasions on a quantity of potatoes weighing less than 5 % of the total.
Residue limits for active ingredients (%): less than 50 % of the limits provided for in current legislation. The 'Patata della Sila' is well-known for its organoleptic qualities and its culinary properties, in particular associated with frying and long-term conservation, without the need for chemical anti-sprouting treatments.
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

The ‘Patata della Sila’ must be grown in the area set out in point 4. After preparation of the soil, cultivation begins with the bedding of certified seed potatoes, Class A or above, from cultivars registered in the national registers of varieties of the Member States of the EU. A year of ‘replacement’ is permitted, that is, the seeding of seed potatoes reproduced for a year in the area set out in point 4. Harvesting takes place from 20 August until 30 November, a period with cool temperatures which generally do not exceed 15-18 °C.
3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

To be released for consumption, the ‘Patata della Sila’ must be packaged in one of the following types of packaging: Vertbags, Girsacs and bags of: 1 kg to 5 kg, nets of: 0,5 kg to 2,5 kg, bags of: 2 kg to 10 kg, boxes of: 1 kg to 20 kg, wooden boxes of: 5 kg to 20 kg, baskets of: 10 kg to 20 kg, pallets of: 0,5 kg to 1 kg, and trays of: 0,5 kg to 1 kg. All the packaging must be made from material suitable for foodstuffs and sealed so as to prevent the product from being removed without breaking the packaging. The product may not be sold loose, except in cases of individual potatoes which are marked with the logo.
3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The rules for the presentation of the product for release for consumption state that, in addition to the logo, the Community graphic symbol and related references and the information required by law, the label must show, in clear and legible characters, the following indication: ‘Patata della Sila’ with any additional translation, followed by ‘Indicazione Geografica Protetta’ in full or the abbreviation ‘IGP’.
For products obtained in areas geographically classified as mountain areas, the labels may contain the words ‘prodotto della montagna’ The colour of the logo is currently blue but the logo may be printed in other colours. The logo for the labelling of the potato by stamps or laser marking may be reduced to 2,5 cm at the base, subject to the proportions of the logo set out below. Individual potatoes may be labelled with the logo only if they are 46 mm or more. It is prohibited to add any marking not expressly provided for.

                  ‘Patata della Sila’ logo





4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of the ‘Patata della Sila’ is made up exclusively of the following municipalities: Acri, Aprigliano, Bocchigliero, Celico, Colosimi, Longobucco, Parenti, Pedace, Rogliano, San Giovanni in Fiore, Serra Pedace, Spezzano della Sila, Spezzano Piccolo in the province of Cosenza, and the municipalities of Albi, Carlopoli, Cicala, Confluenti, Decollatura, Magisano, Martirano, Martirano Lombardo, Motta S. Lucia, Serrastretta, Sorbo San Basile, Soveria Mannelli, Taverna in the province of Catanzaro. Those municipalities naturally delimit and enclose the Altopiano della Sila, where the type of soil and climactic characteristics facilitate uniform and slow growth of the potatoes and optimal ripening of the plant.
5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

The soil and climate of the area in which the ‘Patata della Sila’ is grown is very important. From the point of view of particle size, the Sila soil is largely loose and tends to be sandy and fine-grained and therefore very permeable and easily machinable; it has a pH of between 5 and 6,5; with a large amount of organic substances, and therefore of natural fertiliser, which in some areas is as much as 10,04 %. The climate in the Altopiano della Sila is extremely dry in summer and cold in winter. Recorded temperatures increase in the period between April and May which is therefore ideal for sowing.
The growth of the plants is further favoured by the daily range of temperatures and the extended radiation which makes it possible to obtain uniform and slow growth which is favourable for the accumulation of dry matter, and a final ripening of the plant in keeping with the production of a product suitable for long storage without the need for chemical anti-sprouting treatments. That important property is present from the time of harvesting, which takes place in cool temperatures generally not exceeding 15 to 18 °C. The area is entirely cut off from sources of air and/or water pollution. Utilisation of the Sila soil is extremely restricted; in fact the potato is the only fruit or vegetable product grown on the high plains. The area is irrigated by spring water and treatments are kept to a minimum since parasites are extremely rare, confined and therefore easy to control, owing to the very marked summer temperature range between day and night, the harsh winter and the snow which cleans the environment of countless agents which are harmful to the crop.
5.2.   Specificity of the product

The ‘Patata della Sila’ is characterised by and valued for the fact that it keeps for a long time and its excellent culinary qualities; in particular, its great suitability for frying appears to be linked to the high values for dry matter found after cooking in oil, which mean that the flesh of the potato retains its white-yellow colour for longer. Regarding that aspect, an analysis has been carried out comparing the product to samples from other production areas. The results showed that, after cooking, the potato grown on the Altopiano Silano has much higher levels of dry matter and therefore is better suited to frying, and the pulp has a more intense yellowish colour, a more marked typical potato flavour and a thicker peel which is more resistant to mechanical processing than potatoes from other sources.
5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for a PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for a PGI)

The ‘Patata della Sila’ is regarded as a product of quality by the inhabitants of the area around the high plains of Sila (Cosenza, Crotone, Catanzaro, Piana di Siburi) who traditionally lay in supplies directly from the production holdings. This product is particularly well known in the markets of Sicily, Apulia and Campania which, in the harvest periods, have maintained stable commercial ties since the 1950s. Its storage qualities and retention of organoleptic properties mean that the ‘Patata della Sila’ has always been widely used for winter supplies in the areas stated above. The cultivation of the potato therefore represents an important source of income for the high plains and over the years the farming families of Sila have continued to hand down the tradition of growing the product. The Sila centre for the increase and selection of potatoes from certified seed was set up in 1955 in order to promote the distribution of the certified seed. Some studies also attest to the fact that, at the end of the 1980s, the Altopiano della Sila was one of the best production areas for seed potatoes, recording by far the best average size of all establishments. In addition, the climatic conditions which provide a dry climate in summer and a cold climate in winter and have always enabled the product to be stored naturally at temperatures of between 6 and 8 °C from October to April, together with the absence of sources of pollution in the cultivation area, have led to the awareness on the part of consumers of a genuine, wholesome and quality product. The reputation of the ‘Patata della Sila’ is also shown by the huge success of events and festivals based on it, which attract legions of tourists, primarily from the abovementioned areas, who visit the high plains each autumn to taste the delicious potato and learn about the various typical recipes of the traditional local gastronomy. In that regard it is worth mentioning the ‘Sagra della Patata della Sila’ (‘Patata della Sila’ festival) held in October since 1978 in Campigliatello Silano, together with the ‘Mostra Mercato dela Patata della Sila e delle machine agricole’ (‘Patata della Sila’ market and agricultural machinery show). Furthermore, since 1980 in Parenti there has been a big folk and culinary event for the ‘Patata della Sila’. The cultivation of the ‘Patata della Sila’ therefore has a long history, with records beginning in the Annals of the Kingdom of Naples of 1811.

Reference to publication of the specification


https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252F1%252Fc%252FD.bf85e09e2dfbdb3ce7cf/P/BLOB%3AID%3D3343/E/pdf?mode=download



(1)  
            OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4538/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)