ANNEX ISupplementary provisions
ANNEX I The following amendments to the specification for the protected designation of origin ‘Oignon doux des Cévennes’ have been approved: — Description of product Deletion of the reference to ‘the large size’ of the bulb, which was not included in national legislation defining the registered designation of origin in 2003: the specification for the designation does not lay down specific provisions on the sizes of the onions. National legislation defining the registered designation of origin in 2003 did not provide for any specific provisions on the size of the onions. The reference to the words ‘large bulb’ was a description of the varietal type of the registered designation of origin (see Article 4 of the Decree of 14 October 2003) and not of the onion. Therefore there were no provisions on limiting the sizes authorised for the registered designation of origin. The description of the registered designation of origin concerns other visual criteria, which are also used in connection with the organoleptic tests carried out on the onions: the colour, shape and shininess of the bulb, the finesse and transparency of the tunics. Furthermore, as highlighted under the heading ‘Link with the geographical area’, the on-farm selection used to obtain plant materials adapted to the environment was carried out on the basis of other selection criteria: the keeping quality, a growth cycle adapted to local conditions and the taste of the onion. Bulb size is not a characteristic of the registered designation of origin. — Geographical area Addition of the procedure for identifying parcels provided for in national legislation on the designation. — Evidence that the product originates in the geographical area The heading has been supplemented by provisions on the monitoring and guarantee of the origin and traceability of the designation. These provisions were amended following the reform of the control system for French registered designations of origin. — Method of production Amendments related to the inclusion in the specification of provisions provided for in national legislation defining the designation. Seeds: introduction of provisions on the use of the seeds produced on the holdings provided for in national legislation defining the registered designation of origin. Fertilisation: introduction of provisions on nitrogen supplies (maximum limit of 100 units of nitrogen per hectare and division into supplies of a maximum of 50 units) provided for in national legislation defining the registered designation of origin. Harvesting: the conditions for triggering harvesting are laid down: harvesting is triggered when 50 % of the plant tops have fallen. Yield: a definition of crop parcel is introduced. — Labelling Addition of a code for packaging plants that covers batches entered on the same day. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to supplement the numbering of packaged batches. Only for packages of less than 5 kg, it is possible to replace the identification number containing the identification of the producer and the identification of the parcel with an identification number covering a group of batches entered on the same day. In practice, mesh bags of onions weighing less than 5 kg often consist of onions from different producers. This means that the packaging station must carry out a specific identification of these batches. However, this amendment does not endanger traceability in the sector, because the recording of new batches and of the corresponding numbers makes it possible to guarantee traceability (inwards and outwards registers as referred to in point IV.1 of the specification). Addition of a requirement to affix the European Union PDO symbol and the words ‘protected designation of origin’ or ‘PDO’ instead of the national terms. — National requirements The national requirements are supplemented by a table on the main points to be verified and their evaluation method, as provided for in French national legislation. — Other Provisions on packaging are introduced (transport provisions), and the maximum weight of the boxes has been amended from 10 to 12 kg. ‘Oignon doux des Cévennes’ have fragile and delicate tunics and practice has shown that a maximum capacity of 10 kg is not ideal for the smallest onions. It was found that it is impossible to fill up the boxes correctly (i.e. totally) with small onions owing to the standard format of the boxes and the maximum weight limit of 10 kg. Consequently the onions do not remain in place and are more vulnerable to sudden movements and deterioration. By increasing the maximum weight of the boxes to 12 kg it will be possible to fill them up more evenly, so that ‘Oignon doux des Cévennes’ remain in place better. The purpose of this amendment is therefore to prevent sudden movements and the risk of deterioration when the product is handled a number of times. The contact details of the applicant group have been updated.