C 201/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27.6.98

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(98/C 201/04)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the Member State concerned within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION: ARTICLE 5

PDO (x)ÚÚPGI (Ú)

National application No: —

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name: Institut national des appellations d’origine (National Institute for Designations of Origin) Address:Ù138, Champs-^lys~es — F-75008 Paris Tel: (33-1) 53Ø89Ø80Ø00 Fax: (33-1) 42Ø25Ø57Ø97

2. Applicant group:

2.1.ÙName: Vall~e des Baux Olive Tree Inter-trade Association

2.2.ÙAddress:ÙMairie de Maussane-les-Alpilles — F-13520 Maussane-les-Alpilles

2.3.ÙComposition: producer/processor (x)ÚÚother (Ú)

3. Type of product: Class 1.6 — Fruits — Olives

4. Specification:

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2)):

4.1. Name: Olives cass~es de la Vall~e des Baux de Provence.

4.2. Description: Olives cass~es de la Vall~e des Baux de Provence come exclusively from the Salonenque or B~ruguette varieties. They are an early season product, keep for only a short time and are flavoured with fennel.

4.3. Geographical area: The production area for Olives cass~es de la Vall~e des Baux de Provence is situated within the following Bouches-du-Rhøne department municipalities: Arles, Aureille, les Baux de Provence, Eygalires, Eyguires, Fontvieille, Lamanon, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Mouries, Le Paradou, Saint-Martin de Crau, Orgon, Saint- Etienne du Grs, Saint-R~my de Provence, Senas and Tarascon. 27.6.98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 201/7

4.4. Proof of origin: The olive sector has always played a dominant role in the Vall~e des Baux de Provence. In 1786 Abb~ Couture pointed to the characteristic diversity of olive varieties in the valley. This diversity has made the valley one of the richest areas in terms of olive preparations. Broken green olives are produced almost exclusively in the Vall~e des Baux de Provence. Being the first table olives to reach the market (in October/November), olives cass~es de la Vall~e des Baux de Provence are eagerly awaited by connoisseurs each year.

4.5. Method of production: The olives have to be harvested in designated olive groves situated in the production area. The olives belong exclusively to the Salonenque and B~ruguette varieties. Each variety must be marketed separately. The size of the olives must be that corresponding to 35 fruits per 100 g. The whole olives are broken mechanically then left to macerate in an alkaline solution until they lose some of their bitterness. The alkaline solution is then replaced by pure water, in which the olives are kept for 36 hours at least, the water being changed every twelve hours. The olives are then kept in brine and flavoured with fennel only.

4.6. Link: The Vall~e des Baux de Provence geographical area extends as far as the Canal des Alpilles to the north and the Canal de Craponne to the south. It has distinctive geological and climatic characteristics. This geographical environment, with its chalky soil, Mediterranean climate, the presence of ancient, well-established varieties in the region, cultivation methods born from experience and the work of the farmers make the Vall~e des Baux de Provence a highly suitable area for olive production.

4.7. Inspection body(ies): Name:ÙINAO, 138, Champs-^lys~es, F-75008 Paris Name:ÙDGCCRF, 59, boulevard V. Auriol, F-75703 Paris Cedex 13.

4.8. Labelling: The labelling of olives qualifying for the olives cass~es de la Vall~e des Baux de Provence certified designation of origin must bear the words ‘Olives cass~es de la Vall~e des Baux de Provence’ and ‘Appellation d’origine contrøl~e’ or ‘AOC’. If the labelling contains a reference to a holding or a brand other than as part of the address, the designation must be repeated between ‘Appellation’ and ‘Contrøl~e’. The words must be included in the same visual range on the label. They must be printed in clear, legible and indelible characters that are sufficiently large to stand out from the back- ground on which they are printed and from the other written information and drawings.

4.9. National requirements: Decree of 27 August 1997.

EC No: G/FR/00051/97/10/23. Date of receipt of the full application: 23.10.1997.