ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal C 149

of the European Union

Volume 53 English edition Information and Notices 8 June 2010

Notice No Contents Page

II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2010/C 149/01 Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5796 — ENI/Mobil Oil Austria) ( 1 ) ...... 1

2010/C 149/02 Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5807 — ENI/Fox Energy) ( 1) ...... 1

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2010/C 149/03 Euro exchange rates ...... 2

2010/C 149/04 Decision No A3 of 17 December 2009 concerning the aggregation of uninterrupted posting periods completed under the Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) ...... 3

Price: ( 1 ) Text with EEA relevance 2 EN EUR 3 ( ) Text of relevance to the EEA and to the EC/Switzerland Agreement (Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued) Page

2010/C 149/05 Decision No H5 of 18 March 2010 concerning cooperation on combating fraud and error within the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of social security systems ( 1) ...... 5

Court of Auditors

2010/C 149/06 Special Report No 1/2010 ‘Are simplified customs procedures for imports effectively controlled?’ . . . 8

V Announcements

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2010/C 149/07 Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs ...... 9

EN ( 1 ) Text of relevance to the EEA and to the EC/Switzerland Agreement 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/1

II

(Information)

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5796 — ENI/Mobil Oil Austria) (Text with EEA relevance) (2010/C 149/01)

On 27 May 2010, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available: — in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/ mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, — in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32010M5796. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law.

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5807 — ENI/Fox Energy) (Text with EEA relevance) (2010/C 149/02)

On 2 June 2010, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available: — in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/ mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, — in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32010M5807. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law. C 149/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 8.6.2010

IV

(Notices)

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates ( 1) 7 June 2010 (2010/C 149/03)

1 euro =

Currency Exchange rate Currency Exchange rate

USD US dollar 1,1959 AUD Australian dollar 1,4607 JPY Japanese yen 109,86 CAD Canadian dollar 1,2672 DKK Danish krone 7,4377 HKD Hong Kong dollar 9,3325 GBP Pound sterling 0,82460 NZD New Zealand dollar 1,7917 SEK Swedish krona 9,6449 SGD Singapore dollar 1,6945 CHF Swiss franc 1,3911 KRW South Korean won 1 477,54 ISK Iceland króna ZAR South African rand 9,3031 NOK Norwegian krone 7,9370 CNY Chinese yuan renminbi 8,1706 BGN Bulgarian lev 1,9558 HRK Croatian kuna 7,2553 CZK Czech koruna 25,898 IDR Indonesian rupiah 11 126,46 EEK Estonian kroon 15,6466 MYR Malaysian ringgit 3,9853 HUF Hungarian forint 285,70 PHP Philippine peso 56,010 LTL Lithuanian litas 3,4528 RUB Russian rouble 37,9690 LVL Latvian lats 0,7083 THB Thai baht 39,046 PLN Polish zloty 4,1503 BRL Brazilian real 2,2232 RON Romanian leu 4,2359 MXN Mexican peso 15,4749 TRY Turkish lira 1,9110 INR Indian rupee 56,3210

( 1 ) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB. 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/3

DECISION No A3 of 17 December 2009 concerning the aggregation of uninterrupted posting periods completed under the Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text of relevance to the EEA and to the EC/Switzerland Agreement) (2010/C 149/04)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR THE COORDINATION OF (3) The decisive conditions for the application of SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS, Article 12(1) of the said Regulation are the existence of a direct relationship between the employer and the worker it engages and the existence of ties between the employer and the Member State in which it is estab­ Having regard to Article 72(a) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 lished. The decisive condition for the application of of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April Article 12(2) of the said Regulation is the habitual 2004 on the coordination of social security systems ( 1), under carrying out of a substantial similar activity in the which the Administrative Commission is responsible for dealing Member State where the person is established. with all administrative questions or questions of interpretation arising from the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ), (4) Under Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71, the anticipated duration of the posting cannot exceed 12 months, with an extension of up to 12 additional months due to Having regard to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, unforeseeable circumstances. Under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, the anticipated duration of the posting cannot exceed 24 months in total. Having regard to Articles 5 and 14 to 21 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009,

(5) Any extension of the uninterrupted posting period beyond the maximum duration provided in the Regu­ Whereas: lations requires an agreement according to Article 17 of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 or Article 16 of Regu­ lation (EC) No 883/2004. (1) For the purposes of this Decision ‘posting’ means any period completed by employed or self-employed persons, during which a person pursues his activity in a Member State other than the competent Member State in accordance with the provisions of Article 14(1), (6) Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 does not contain any 14a(1), 14b(1) or 14b(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) explicit transitional provision on aggregation of the 3 posting periods completed under Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 ( ) and Article 12(1) or 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. No 1408/71 and (EC) No 883/2004. The intention of the legislator was to extend the maximum possible anticipated period of posting from 12 months up to 24 months. The procedures and other conditions for (2) The provisions of Article 12 of Regulation (EC) posting did not considerably change. No 883/2004, which provide for an exception to the general rule laid down in Article 11(3)(a) of the said Regulation, aim in particular to facilitate the freedom to provide services for the benefit of employers which post workers to Member States other than that in which (7) In the view of the legal continuity between the old and they are established, as well as the freedom of workers to new Regulations and in order to ensure the uniform move to other Member States. These provisions also aim application of the posting rules during the transitional to overcome the obstacles likely to impede freedom of period between Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 and movement of workers and to encourage economic inter­ (EC) No 883/2004, penetration whilst avoiding administrative complications, especially for workers and undertakings.

( 1 ) OJ L 166, 30.4.2004, p. 1. ( 2 ) OJ L 284, 30.10.2009, p. 1. Acting in accordance with the conditions laid down in ( 3 ) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2. Article 71(2) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, C 149/4 EN Official Journal of the European Union 8.6.2010

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

1. All periods of posting completed under Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 shall be taken into consideration for the calculation of the uninterrupted posting period under the application of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, so that the total period of the uninterrupted posting completed under the application of both Regulations cannot exceed 24 months.

2. This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from the date of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009.

The Chair of the Administrative Commission Lena MALMBERG 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/5

DECISION No H5 of 18 March 2010 concerning cooperation on combating fraud and error within the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of social security systems (Text of relevance to the EEA and to the EC/Switzerland Agreement) (2010/C 149/05)

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR THE COORDINATION OF (5) The identification of persons is of fundamental SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS, importance to the administration of the Regulations, both in terms of tracing persons in an institution's database and in ensuring persons are who they claim to be. Having regard to Article 72(a) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems ( 1), under which the Administrative Commission is responsible for dealing with all administrative questions or questions of interpretation (6) Article 3(3) of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 underlines arising from the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 that, when collecting, transmitting or processing personal and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament data pursuant to their legislation for purposes of imple­ 2 and of the Council ( ), menting the Regulations, Member States shall ensure that the persons concerned are able to exercise fully their rights regarding personal data protection in accordance with Community provisions on the protection of indi­ Having regard to Article 76 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, viduals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data.

Having regard to Articles 2(2), 20, 52 and 87(3) of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009, (7) Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 permits the competent institution, where there is doubt, to request Whereas: the institution of the place of stay or residence to verify information provided by the person concerned or the validity of a document.

(1) Competent authorities and institutions are required by Article 76 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 to cooperate to ensure the correct implementation of the Regulation. (8) Effective cooperation to combat fraud and error involves building on the mechanisms for providing information on changes of applicable legislation and in Articles 20 and 52 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009. (2) Measures to combat fraud and error are closely linked to the branches of social security as defined by Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and at guaranteeing that contributions are paid to the right Member State and that benefits are not unduly granted or fraudulently Acting in accordance with the conditions laid down in obtained. Article 71(2) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004.

(3) Action to combat fraud and error is therefore part of the proper implementation of Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: and (EC) No 987/2009.

(4) Closer and more effective cooperation between General issues competent authorities and institutions is a key factor in taking action to combat fraud and error. 1. The authorities and institutions of the Member States shall, for the purposes of the correct implementation of Regu­ ( 1 ) OJ L 166, 30.4.2004, p. 1. lation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009, ( 2 ) OJ L 284, 30.10.2009, p. 1. cooperate in relation to combating fraud and error. C 149/6 EN Official Journal of the European Union 8.6.2010

2. The Administrative Commission shall, once a year, discuss (b) Member States shall review their practices as regards cooperation on fraud and error issues. This discussion will be combating the non-reporting of death in cross-border based on voluntary reporting from Member States about their cases in order to ensure that insofar as possible such experience and progress in this field. The suggested content for practices are consistent with best practice in this area. A such reports is listed in Annex 1. list of identified best practices is contained in Annex 2.

3. Member States shall nominate a point of contact for fraud (c) Requests for information from institutions or competent and error to whom either risks of fraud and abuse, or authorities concerning the reporting of death shall be systematic difficulties which cause delays and error, can be dealt with as quickly as possible by the receiving party. reported by competent authorities or institutions. This contact point shall be included in a list to be published by the Requests for Information Secretariat of the Administrative Commission. 6. Taking into account the requirement to act in accordance with Community provisions on the protection of individuals Error with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data, competent authorities and institutions 4. In order to limit the risks of error, competent authorities shall cooperate with requests from other Member States for and institutions shall take steps to ensure that the timely and information aimed at tackling fraud and ensuring the correct correct provision of information is achieved, in particular when implementation of the Regulations. They shall undertake a using the system for the Electronic Exchange of Social Security careful assessment of the legal position before any such Information. To this end, competent authorities and institutions request is refused on data protection grounds. should:

7. Where a request for information aimed at tackling fraud (a) make sure that the information sent electronically via and error concerns data related to the implementation of the Standard Electronic Documents to authorities or institutions coordination Regulations, but is not being handled directly by of other Member States is subject to a quality control an institution or competent authority, the institution or process, especially with regard to the identification of the competent authority shall assist the requesting institution or person concerned and the PIN number; and authority in identifying a third party as the appropriate source of information and lend its good offices in any negotiations with that third party. (b) report to the Technical Commission and Administrative Commission on any systematic difficulties, which cause Review Clause delays or errors, in exchanging information for the purposes of the Regulations. 8. This Decision shall be reviewed at the latest by the end of the second year following its entry into force.

Reporting of death 9. This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of 5. As regards cooperation in relation to the reporting of the European Union. It shall apply from the first day of the death: second month after its publication.

(a) Member States shall share through the Administrative Commission any innovative practices they have introduced in this field, or report any obstacles in securing cooperation The Chair of the Administrative Commission on this issue; José Maria MARCO GARCÍA 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/7

ANNEX 1

Matters to be covered, inter alia, in annual reports from the Member States on fraud and error

1. Steps taken throughout the year to combat fraud and error in cases determined under the Regulations;

2. Specific problems in implementing the coordination rules which may lead at least to risks of fraud and error;

3. Agreements and bilateral cooperation arrangements with other EU Member States entered into for the purposes of combating fraud and error;

4. In the field of benefits in kind, steps taken to promote compliance by institutions and healthcare providers with the coordination rules and to provide information to citizens.

ANNEX 2

Best practices as regards combating the non-reporting of death in cross-border cases ( 1 )

Setting up a system for direct notification of death by the host state Data-matching Requesting an administrative check from the host state Access to reports of death between health institutions Life certification Providing direct physical presence in the host state

( 1) A fuller account of these best practices can be found in Section 9.2 of the Report of the Administrative Commission Ad Hoc Follow-up Group on Combating Fraud and Error of 16 November 2009, published as CASSTM Note 560/09. C 149/8 EN Official Journal of the European Union 8.6.2010

COURT OF AUDITORS

Special Report No 1/2010 ‘Are simplified customs procedures for imports effectively controlled?’ (2010/C 149/06)

The European Court of Auditors hereby informs you that Special Report No 1/2010 ‘Are simplified customs procedures for imports effectively controlled?’ has just been published. The report can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the European Court of Auditors’ website: http://www.eca.europa.eu A hard copy and a CD-ROM version of the report may be obtained free of charge on request to the Court of Auditors: European Court of Auditors Communication and Reports Unit 12, rue Alcide De Gasperi 1615 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG Tel. +352 4398-1 E-mail: [email protected] or by filling in an electronic order form on EU-Bookshop. 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/9

V

(Announcements)

OTHER ACTS

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2010/C 149/07)

This publication confers the right to object to the application in accordance with Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 ( 1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006 ‘CARCIOFO SPINOSO DI SARDEGNA’ EC No: IT-PDO-0005-0687-06.03.2008 PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Name: ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’

2. Member State or third country:

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff: 3.1. Type of product (Annex III): Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

3.2. Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies: The ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ is obtained from the local ‘Spinoso Sardo’ ecotype which belongs to the Cynara scolymus botanical species and is characterised by the following morphological particularities: a medium-size, perennial, rhizomatous plant, with the insertion point of the main head located at a height of between 45 and 70 cm; it is assurgent, highly suitable for pollen production, with staggered production. The green-coloured, prickly leaves are of medium size and highly varied in shape, as illustrated by the existence of numerous single blade leaves and other lobed and, more frequently, pinnatisect leaves. The heads form a prolonged cone shape, moderately compact, and of a minimum length of 6 cm and a diameter of between 6 and 13 cm; large, long green external bracts with extensive purple-brown shading, with pointed summits ending in a yellow thorn; straw yellow internal bracts with purple veins; stalks of a length of between 10 and 40 cm (an exception allowed for by Regulation (EC) No 1466/2003) and of a thickness of between 1 and 3,5 cm.

( 1 ) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12. C 149/10 EN Official Journal of the European Union 8.6.2010

The PDO ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ must possess the following characteristics:

Physical characteristics: shape: prolonged, conical, moderately compact head; colour: green with extensive purple-brown shading; yellow-coloured thorns on bracts; stem structure: tender and edible inside, not very fibrous; edible part: no less than 30 % of the weight of the fresh head.

Chemical characteristics: carbohydrate content no less than 2,5 g of 100 g of fresh matter; polyphenols content no less than 50 mg of 100 g of fresh matter; sodium: no greater than 0,125 g of 100 g of fresh matter; iron: no greater than 0,80 mg of 100 g of fresh matter.

Organoleptic properties: aroma: intense thistly and floral; texture: bracts that are fleshy yet tender and crispy at the base; flavour: full-bodied with a balanced blend of bitter and sweet notes thanks to the presence of polyphenol derivatives and cynarin; astringency: the presence of tannins, which are natural components of artichokes, is hardly noticeable, since it is offset by the prevalent sweet flavours resulting from the significant carbohydrate content. The traditional manner of eating the stems as well as the heads of ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ uncooked allows for better absorption of the nutritional properties it contains. Only ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ belonging to the ‘Extra’ and ‘I’ marketing classes may be granted PDO status.

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: All production steps for the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ are carried out within the territory indicated under 4.

3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.: Given their tendency to perish rapidly in terms of a loss of freshness, i.e. of shine and turgidity in the heads, stems and leaves, it is necessary to reduce handling to the minimum and to package them immediately after harvesting, so as to allow for the traditional manner of eating ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ uncooked. This constraint guarantees a definite advantage in terms of freshness by lessening the oxidation and sweating to which the product would be exposed, which would consequently alter its physical, organoleptic and chemical characteristics.

The ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ is released for consumption in the following types of closed packaging to which the logo is affixed: trays containing between two and 12 whole and/or cut heads; 500 g to 5 kg baskets in materials for foodstuffs; wooden, cardboard or plastic crates for foodstuffs containing from four to 60 heads.

Materials considered appropriate for the packaging of the product according to Community rules on the subject may continue to be used. Each pack must contain ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ of the same market class. The visible part of the contents of the package must, moreover, be representative of the entire contents.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling: Labels affixed to packaging must bear the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ PDO designation and the Community logo; the indication of class ‘Extra’ or ‘I’; size; the number of heads contained; all other indications laid down by law; and the logo. 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/11

The logo for the designation consists of a stylised representation of an anthropomorphic spiny artichoke (‘carciofo spinoso’), with the head of the vegetable becoming a proper head thanks to drawing of a smile and leaves that are transformed into open arms, stretched out in a friendly and welcoming gesture. The message conveyed is that of a sweet-tasting product, despite its prickly appearance.

The PDO must appear on the label in clear, indelible lettering of a colour that strongly contrasts with that of the label itself and in such a way that it can be clearly distinguished from the other information which may be printed in lettering half the size of that used for the PDO. It is forbidden to add to the Protected Designation of Origin any description that is not expressly provided for, though business and brand names may be used, on condition that they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area: The ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ must be grown and packaged in the production area which includes the following municipalities:

Cagliari Province: Assemini, Assemini Isola Amministrativa (I.A.), , , Decimomannu, , , Elmas, (I.A.), Guasila, , Maracalagonis, Monastir, , , , Pimentel, Pula, Quartu Sant’ Elena, Quartucciu, , , , Selargius, , Sestu, Sinnai (I.A.), , Uta, , , , and ;

Carbonia-Iglesias Province: Giba, , , , , Sant’Anna Arresi, and ;

Medio Campidano Province: , , , , , , , , , , , and ;

Oristano Province: , , , , Cabras, , , , , , , , , , , , , San Nicolò Arcidano, , San Vero, , , , , , , , , Uras, and ;

Nuoro Province: Dorgali, Galtellì, Irgoli, Loculi, Onifai, Orosei, Posada, Siniscola and Torpè;

Ogliastra Province: Arzana (I.A.), Barisardo, Baunei, Cardedu, Girasole, Lanusei (I.A.), Loceri (I.A.), Lotzorai, Tertenia and Tortolì;

Sassari Province: Alghero, Banari, Castelsardo, Florinas, Ittiri, , Olmedo, Ossi, Valledoria, Viddalba, Villanova Monteleone, Porto Torres, Putifigari, Uri, Santa Maria Coghinas, Sassari, Usini, Sedini, Sennori, Sorso and Tissi; C 149/12 EN Official Journal of the European Union 8.6.2010

Olbia-Tempo Province: Badesi, Budoni and San Teodoro.

The production area indicated above is the one in which the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ has traditionally been grown. In these municipalities there are, at the same time, all the right soil and climatic characteristics for cultivation and an extensive heritage of experience, traditions and technical growing skills which has been built up and guarantees the product's characteristics.

5. Link with the geographical area: 5.1. Specificity of the geographical area: All of the soils within the production area identified in 4, where the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ is grown, are of alluvial origin; they are fresh, rich in phosperous, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and organic matter and tend to be pH neutral or slightly sub-alkaline.

The average winter temperature is 11,3 °C, while the summer average is 24 °C. Frost is very rare and snow exceptional. Rainfall is spread irregularly over the year, with a peak during the winter and an almost complete lack of rain over the summer.

5.2. Specificity of the product: The particular characteristics of the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ are its limited astringency, its pleasant flavour, resulting from the balanced blend of bitter and sweet notes, and the tenderness of its flesh encouraging its consumption uncooked. Other characteristics include the high level of poly­ phenols and other nutrients it contains and the particularly limited levels of sodium and iron.

Finally, but definitely no less importantly, the particular constitution of the head, which contains bracts which are tightly stuck to one another, prevents external, harmful substances from penetrating it, thereby ensuring the product's wholesomeness.

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 characteristics justifying the application for the recognition of ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ as a PDO and which differentiate it from other products of the same product type are: its limited astringency, pleasant flavour, resulting from the balanced blend of bitter and sweet notes, the tenderness of its flesh encouraging its consumption uncooked, high content of nutrients of significance in cleansing the organism (stimulating diuresis, removing toxins from the liver and lowering cholesterol levels in the blood), significant carbohydrate content, coupled with mineral salts, iron, potassium, phosphorous and various types of vitamins, especially A group vitamins.

These particularities derive from the strong link to the island territory, which is particularly suitable both because of traditional growing techniques and the favourable climatic, soil and morphological conditions. The significant quantity of calcium, magnesium and potassium present in the vast majority of fields in which the artichoke is grown is the principal reason for the plant's characteristic resistance to stress consequent upon high temperatures and low relative humidity. In the same way, the ‘fresh’, deep soil of these fields, of largely alluvial origin and which does not become waterlogged, provides an optimum exchange medium, guaranteeing the complete take-up by the plants of the phosphorous, iron, potassium and other mineral salts responsible for the characteristics described under 5.2.

Climatic factors influence the quality of the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’, inasmuch as they determine the general functions of the plant such as photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients. Sunlight is a very important climatic factor in determining the qualitative characteristics of the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’, particularly the intensity of the sun's rays which, even in the winter months, influences the production of the plant's reserves, such as carbohydrates, which govern its taste, making the artichoke particularly well suited to being eaten uncooked. It should, moreover, be noted that the intensity of sunlight is the same throughout the production area, since the differences in latitude between the areas concerned in the North and the South have no influence on the correct development of the plant. 8.6.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/13

In addition to the intrinsic suitability of the territory, the human resources of the area, with their traditions, experience and skills, allow for the selection of the best artichokes through manual harvesting, sorting and sizing. The cutting down of stems and the pinching out of superfluous shoots carried out by highly specialised local workers facilitate the harvesting of a choice product. The optimal combination of agronomic factors, such as the time of planting, the density of cultivation, the intelligent use of irrigation, fertiliser and plant protection products, as well as the limited one to three-year lifespan of the artichoke plant, with the consequent robustness of the plant, accentuate the natural predisposition of the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ to be eaten uncooked.

From a historical standpoint, the origins of the production, cultivation and, more particularly, the link to the local environment of the artichoke lay in the Phoenician period and the activity has come down the centuries to the present day, when it represents a crucial component of the island's and the country's agriculture. Written evidence of the presence of artichokes in can be found from the second half of the 18th century in the treatise ‘Agricoltura di Sardegna’ by Andrea Manca dell’Arca, a noble from Sassari, published in 1780, with one section entitled: ‘Cardoons and Artichokes. Spread. Varieties. Cultivation. Uses.’ The existence of the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ in the first few decades of the last century is also attested to in the work of Max Leopold Wagner in ‘Das ländliche Leben Sardiniens im Spiegel der Sprache’ published in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1921. In the early decades of the 20th century, a substantial modernisation of the island's agriculture took place, which also concerned artichoke production, with the move away from supplying the local market towards specialised production aimed at the Italian and international markets. It was in this period of major changes in trade that the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ made its name and on the markets of the mainland the artichoke was most definitely not marketed indistinctly or anonymously; its Sardinian provenance has represented a guarantee of quality and of origin since the early years of the 20th century, one which is appreciated and sought out by consumers, as is apparent from numerous sources. The historical origin of the product has prompted consumers over time to identify the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ with the image of Sardinia itself, to the extent that it has entered into common parlance and ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ can be found on the menus of various restaurants, on product labels and in commercial documents; this is why the need has arisen to place formal rules on the use of the designation, in order to make the link between the product's char­ acteristics and the territory of Sardinia inseparable and to protect consumers and producers from any incorrect and undue use of the name.

Reference to publication of the specification: The Ministry has launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising the ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ as a protected designation of origin in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 25 of 30 January 2008.

The full text of the product specification is available:

— on the following website: http://www.politicheagricole.it/DocumentiPubblicazioni/Search_Documenti_ Elenco.htm? txtTipoDocumento=Disciplinare%20in%20esame%20UE&txtDocArgomento=Prodotti%20di %20Qualit%E0>Prodotti%20Dop,%20Igp%20e%20Stg

or:

— by going directly to the home page of the Ministry (http://www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Prodotti di Qualità’ (on the left of the screen) and then on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE [regolamento (CE) n. 510/2006]’.

2010 SUBSCRIPTION PRICES (excluding VAT, including normal transport charges)

EU Official Journal, L + C series, paper edition only 22 official EU languages EUR 1 100 per year

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Subscriptions to the Official Journal of the European Union, which is published in the official languages of the European Union, are available for 22 language versions. The Official Journal comprises two series, L (Legislation) and C (Information and Notices). A separate subscription must be taken out for each language version. In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 920/2005, published in Official Journal L 156 of 18 June 2005, the institutions of the European Union are temporarily not bound by the obligation to draft all acts in Irish and publish them in that language. Irish editions of the Official Journal are therefore sold separately. Subscriptions to the Supplement to the Official Journal (S Series — tendering procedures for public contracts) cover all 23 official language versions on a single multilingual CD-ROM. On request, subscribers to the Official Journal of the European Union can receive the various Annexes to the Official Journal. Subscribers are informed of the publication of Annexes by notices inserted in the Official Journal of the European Union. CD-Rom formats will be replaced by DVD formats during 2010.

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