C251 Official Journal

Official Journal C 251 of the European Union

Volume 63 English edition Information and Notices 31 July 2020

Contents

I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RECOMMENDATIONS

European Central Bank

2020/C 251/01 Recommendation of the European Central Bank of 27 July 2020 on dividend distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and repealing Recommendation ECB/2020/19 (ECB/2020/35) ...... 1

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

2020/C 251/02 Notice for the attention of the persons subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1136, and in Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1129 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ...... 4

2020/C 251/03 Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea apply ...... 6

2020/C 251/04 Notice for the attention of the persons, groups and entities included on the list subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, as updated by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132, and to Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128 . . . . . 7

2020/C 251/05 Notice for the attention of the data subjects included on the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, as updated by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132, and to Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128 ...... 8

2020/C 251/06 Notice for the attention of persons and entities subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333, as implemented by Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/1137, and in Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) EN 2020/1130, concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya ...... 9 2020/C 251/07 Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya apply ...... 10

2020/C 251/08 Notice for the attention of the persons subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1127, and in Council Regulation 2019/796, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1125 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States ...... 11

2020/C 251/09 Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 and Council Regulation (EU) 2019/796 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States ...... 12

2020/C 251/10 Notice for the attention of the person subject to restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1126, and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1124 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them ...... 13

2020/C 251/11 Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them apply ...... 14

European Commission

2020/C 251/12 Euro exchange rates — 30 July 2020 ...... 15

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2020/C 251/13 National exemptions for gambling service providers from national provisions transposing Directive (EU) 2015/849 (AMLD) List of Member States who have decided to exempt providers of certain gambling services from national provisions transposing Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (This text annuls and replaces the text published in OJ C 170, 18.5.2020, p. 23) ...... 16

2020/C 251/14 Liquidation procedures Decision to open bankruptcy proceedings for ‘Societatea CERTASIG – Societate de Asigurare și Reasigurare – S.A.’ (Publication made in accordance with Article 14 of Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings (Article 280 of Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance)) ...... 19

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2020/C 251/15 Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9899 — KKR/Koos Holding Cooperatief) Candidate case for simplified procedure (1) ...... 20

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2020/C 251/16 Publication of an application for approval of non-minor amendments 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 ...... 22

(1) Text with EEA relevance. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/1

(Resolutions, recommendations and opinions)

RECOMMENDATIONS

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK of 27 July 2020 on dividend distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and repealing Recommendation ECB/2020/19 (ECB/2020/35)

(2020/C 251/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013 of 15 October 2013 conferring specific tasks on the European Central Bank concerning policies relating to the prudential supervision of credit institutions (1), and in particular Article 4 (3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 27 March 2020, the European Central Bank (ECB) adopted Recommendation ECB/2020/19 of the European Central Bank (2) which recommended that at least until 1 October 2020 no dividends are paid out and no irrevocable commitment to pay out dividends is undertaken by credit institutions for the financial years 2019 and 2020 and that credit institutions refrain from share buy-backs aimed at remunerating shareholders. This recommendation was based on the consideration that it is crucial that credit institutions continue to fulfil their role of funding households, small and medium-sized businesses and corporations amid the COVID-19-related economic shock. Therefore it was considered essential that credit institutions conserve capital to retain their capacity to support the economy in an environment of heightened uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, conserving capital resources to support the real economy and absorb losses was considered as needing to take priority over discretionary dividend distributions and share buy-backs.

(2) In connection with Recommendation ECB/2020/19, the ECB has undertaken work to further evaluate the economic situation and consider whether further suspension of dividends is advisable after 1 October 2020. In this context, the ECB considers that the level of economic uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic remains elevated and, consequently, that credit institutions face difficulties in forecasting accurately their medium-term capital needs. The ECB also considers that there is an ongoing need in this environment of exceptional systemic uncertainty and stressed economic conditions for prudent capital planning, which includes preserving credit institutions’ capital position by postponing or cancelling distributions. Therefore, the ECB considers it necessary to extend the dividend recommendation until 1 January 2021 and repeal Recommendation ECB/2020/19. This approach is also consistent with Recommendation ESRB/2020/7 of the European Systemic Risk Board (3).

(1) OJ L 287, 29.10.2013, p. 63. (2) Recommendation ECB/2020/19 of the European Central Bank of 27 March 2020 on dividend distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and repealing Recommendation ECB/2020/1 (OJ C 102I, 30.3.2020, p. 1). (3) Recommendation ESRB/2020/7 of the European Systemic Risk Board of 27 May 2020 on restriction of distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic (OJ C 212, 26.6.2020, p. 1). C 251/2 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

(3) Having full regard to the unity and integrity of the internal market, the ECB sees the need to engage in discussions with the relevant authorities of concerned Member States to determine whether it is appropriate that dividends are paid out to a parent institution, parent financial holding company or parent mixed financial holding company located in a Member State which is not a participating Member State. These discussions should be guided, inter alia, by the principles of equivalence and reciprocity with a view to supporting the smooth functioning of the internal market of the Union as a whole, to preserving a sound capital position of a credit institution from a prudential perspective and to contributing to the stability of the financial system within the Union and each Member State.

(4) In order to maximise support to the real economy, it is also appropriate that discretionary dividend distributions should also not be made by less significant credit institutions.

(5) While this measure has a temporary nature that is warranted only by these exceptional circumstances, the ECB intends to decide in the fourth quarter of 2020 on the approach to be followed after 1 January 2021, taking into account the economic environment, the stability of the financial system and the level of certainty around capital planning,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

1. The ECB recommends that until 1 January 2021 no dividends (4) are paid out and no irrevocable commitment to pay out dividends is undertaken by credit institutions for the financial years 2019 and 2020 and that credit institutions refrain from share buy-backs aimed at remunerating shareholders (5).

2. Credit institutions that are unable to comply with this Recommendation because they consider themselves legally required to pay out dividends should immediately explain the underlying reasons to their joint supervisory team.

3. This Recommendation applies on a consolidated level of a significant supervised group as defined in point (22) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 468/2014 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2014/17) (6) and on an individual level of a significant supervised entity as defined in point (16) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 468/2014 (ECB/2014/17), if such significant supervised entity is not part of a significant supervised group.

4. Credit institutions that intend to pay out dividends or undertake an irrevocable commitment to pay out dividends to their parent institution, parent financial holding company or parent mixed financial holding company which is established in a Member State that is not a participating Member State should contact their joint supervisory team to determine whether such dividend pay-outs or irrevocable commitments to make a dividend pay-out are appropriate.

II.

This Recommendation is addressed to significant supervised entities and significant supervised groups as defined in points (16) and (22) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 468/2014 (ECB/2014/17).

III.

This Recommendation is also addressed to the national competent authorities with regard to less significant supervised entities and less significant supervised groups as defined in points (7) and (23) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 468/2014 (ECB/2014/17). The national competent authorities are expected to apply this Recommendation to such entities and groups, as deemed appropriate.

(4) Credit institutions may have various legal forms, e.g. listed companies and non-joint stock companies such as mutuals, cooperatives or savings institutions. The term ‘dividend’ as used in this Recommendation refers to any type of cash pay-out in connection with Common Equity Tier 1 capital which has the effect of reducing the quantity or quality of own funds. (5) If a financial institution wanted to replace ordinary shares, this would be in line with this Recommendation. (6) Regulation (EU) No 468/2014 of the European Central Bank of 16 April 2014 establishing the framework for cooperation within the Single Supervisory Mechanism between the European Central Bank and national competent authorities and with national designated authorities (SSM Framework Regulation) (ECB/2014/17) (OJ L 141, 14.5.2014, p. 1). 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/3

IV. Given the temporary nature of this measure, the ECB will further evaluate the economic situation and consider whether further suspension of dividends is advisable after 1 January 2021.

V. Recommendation ECB/2020/19 is hereby repealed.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 27 July 2020.

The President of the ECB Christine LAGARDE C 251/4 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

(Notices)

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

COUNCIL

Notice for the attention of the persons subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1136, and in Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1129 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

(2020/C 251/02)

The following information is brought to the attention of the persons that appear in Annex II and Annex III to Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 (1), as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1136 (2), and in Annex XV and Annex XVI to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 (3), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1129 (4) concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Council of the European Union has determined that the restrictive measures provided for in Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2020/1136, and Regulation (EU) 2017/1509, as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1129, should continue to apply to the persons designated in Annex II and Annex III to Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, and in Annex XV and Annex XVI to Regulation (EU) 2017/1509. The grounds for listing of those persons are set out in those Annexes.

The attention of the persons concerned is drawn to the possibility of making an application to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State(s) as indicated on the websites in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in order to obtain an authorisation to use frozen funds for basic needs or specific payments (cf. Article 35 of the Regulation).

The persons concerned may submit a request to the Council, together with supporting documentation, that the decision to include them on the abovementioned lists should be reconsidered, before 28 February 2021, to the following address:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

(1) OJ L 141, 28.5.2016, p. 79. (2) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 30. (3) OJ L 224, 31.8.2017, p. 1. (4) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 5. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/5

Any observations received will be taken into account for the purpose of the Council’s periodic review, in accordance with Article 36(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 and Article 34(7) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1509.

The attention of the persons concerned is also drawn to the possibility of challenging the Council’s decision before the General Court of the European Union, in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 275, second paragraph, and Article 263, fourth and sixth paragraphs, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. C 251/6 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea apply

(2020/C 251/03)

The attention of data subjects is drawn to the following information in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) .

The legal basis for this processing operation are Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 (2), as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1136 (3), and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 (4), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1129 (5).

The controller of this processing operation is the Department RELEX.1.C in the Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs, Enlargement and Civil Protection –RELEX of the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC), that can be contacted at:

Council of the European Union

General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The GSC’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:

Data Protection Officer

[email protected]

The purpose of the processing operation is the establishment and updating of the list of persons subject to restrictive measures in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2020/1136, and Regulation (EU) 2017/1509, as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1129.

The data subjects are the natural persons who fulfil the listing criteria as laid down in Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 and Regulation (EU) 2017/1509.

The personal data collected includes data necessary for the correct identification of the person concerned, the statement of reasons and any other data related thereto.

The personal data collected may be shared as necessary with the European External Action Service and the Commission.

Without prejudice to restrictions pursuant to Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, the exercise of the rights of the data subjects such as the right of access, as well as the rights to rectification or to object will be answered in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.

Personal data will be retained for 5 years from the moment the data subject has been removed from the list of persons subject to the restrictive measures or the validity of the measure has expired, or for the duration of court proceedings in the event they had been started.

Without prejudice to any judicial, administrative or non-judicial remedy, data subjects may lodge a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 ([email protected]).

(1) OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39. (2) OJ L 141, 28.5.2016, p. 79. (3) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 30. (4) OJ L 224, 31.8.2017, p. 1 (5) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 5. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/7

Notice for the attention of the persons, groups and entities included on the list subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, as updated by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132, and to Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128

(2020/C 251/04)

The following information is brought to the attention of the abovementioned persons, groups and entities listed in Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132 (1) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128 (2).

The Council of the European Union has determined that the reasons for including the persons, groups and entities on the abovementioned list subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (3) of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and to Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 (4) of 27 December 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, are still valid. Consequently, the Council has decided to maintain those persons, groups and entities on the list.

Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 provides for a freezing of all funds, other financial assets and economic resources belonging to the persons, groups and entities concerned and that no funds, other financial assets and economic resources may be made available to them, whether directly or indirectly.

The attention of the persons, groups and entities concerned is drawn to the possibility of making an application to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State(s) as listed in the Annex to the Regulation in order to obtain an authorisation to use frozen funds for basic needs or specific payments, in accordance with Article 5(2) of that Regulation.

The persons, groups and entities concerned may submit a request to obtain the Council’s statement of reasons for maintaining them on the abovementioned list (unless the statement of reasons has already been communicated to them). Any such request should be sent to the following address:

Council of the European Union (Attn: COMET designations) Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The persons, groups and entities concerned may at any time submit a request to the Council, together with any supporting documentation, that the decision to include and maintain them on the list should be reconsidered, to the address provided above. Such requests will be considered when they are received. In this regard, the attention of the persons, groups and entities concerned is drawn to the regular review by the Council of the list according to Article 1(6) of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP. In order for requests to be considered at the next review, they should be submitted by 1 October 2020.

The attention of the persons, groups and entities concerned is also drawn to the possibility of challenging their designation before the General Court of the European Union, in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 263(4) and (6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

(1) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 18. (2) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 1. (3) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 93. (4) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 70. C 251/8 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

Notice for the attention of the data subjects included on the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, as updated by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132, and to Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128

(2020/C 251/05)

The attention of data subjects is drawn to the following information in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

The legal basis for this processing operation are Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (2), as updated by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132 (3), and Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 (4), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128 (5).

The controller of this processing operation is the Council of the European Union represented by the Director General of RELEX (Foreign Affairs, Enlargement, Civil Protection) of the General Secretariat of the Council and the department entrusted with the processing operation is RELEX.1.C that can be contacted at:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The purpose of the processing operation is the establishment and updating of the list of persons subject to restrictive measures in accordance with Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, as updated by Decision (CFSP) 2020/1132 , and Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001, as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1128.

The data subjects are the natural persons who fulfil the listing criteria as laid down in Common Position 2001/931/CFSP and Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001.

The personal data collected includes data necessary for the correct identification of the person concerned, the statement of reasons and any other data related thereto.

The personal data collected may be shared as necessary with the European External Action Service and the Commission.

(1) OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39. (2) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 93. (3) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 18. (4) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 70. (5) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 1. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/9

Notice for the attention of persons and entities subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333, as implemented by Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/1137, and in Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1130, concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya

(2020/C 251/06)

The following information is brought to the attention of the persons and entities designated in Annexes II and IV to Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 (1), as implemented by Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/1137 (2), and in Annex III to Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 (3), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1130 (4), concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya.

The attention of the persons and entities concerned is drawn to the possibility of making an application to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State(s) as indicated on the websites in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2016/44, in order to obtain an authorisation to use frozen funds for basic needs or specific payments (cf. Article 8 of the Regulation).

The persons and entities concerned may submit a request to the Council before 15 May 2021, together with supporting documentation, that the decision to include them on the above-mentioned list should be reconsidered. Any such request should be sent to the following address:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C. Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel Belgique/BELGIË Email: [email protected]

Any observations received will be taken into account for the purpose of the Council’s periodic review, in accordance with Article 17(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 and Article 21(6) of Regulation (EU) 2016/44, of the list of designated persons and entities.

The attention of the persons and entities concerned is also drawn to the possibility of challenging the Council’s decision before the General Court of the European Union, in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 275, second paragraph, and Article 263, fourth and sixth paragraphs, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

(1) OJ L 206, 1.8.2015, p. 34. (2) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 40. (3) OJ L 12, 19.1.2016, p. 1. (4) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 14. C 251/10 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya apply

(2020/C 251/07)

The attention of data subjects is drawn to the following information in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

The legal basis for this processing operation is Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 (2), as implemented by Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/1137 (3), and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 (4), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1130 (5).

Council of the European Union

General Secretariat

RELEX.1.C. Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The purpose of the processing operation is the establishment and updating of the list of persons subject to restrictive measures in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333, as implemented by Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/1137, and Regulation (EU) 2016/44, as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1130.

The data subjects are the natural persons who fulfil the listing criteria as laid down in Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 and Regulation (EU) 2016/44.

The personal data collected includes data necessary for the correct identification of the person concerned, the statement of reasons and any other data related thereto.

The personal data collected may be shared as necessary with the European External Action Service and the Commission.

(1) OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39. (2) OJ L 206, 1.8.2015, p. 34. (3) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 40. (4) OJ L 12, 19.1.2016, p. 1. (5) OJ L 247, 31.7.2020, p. 14. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/11

Notice for the attention of the persons subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1127, and in Council Regulation 2019/796, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1125 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States

(2020/C 251/08)

The following information is brought to the attention of the persons that appear in the Annex to Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 (1), as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1127 (2), and in Annex I to Council Regulation 2019/796 (3), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1125 (4) concerning restrictive measures against cyber- attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.

The Council of the European Union has decided that the persons and entities that appear in the above-mentioned Annexes should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 and Regulation (EU) 2019/796. The grounds for the listing of the persons concerned appear in the relevant entries in those Annexes.

The attention of the persons concerned is drawn to the possibility of making an application to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State(s) as indicated on the websites in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/796 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States, in order to obtain an authorisation to use frozen funds for basic needs or specific payments.

The persons concerned may submit a request to the Council, together with supporting documentation, that the decision to include them on the above-mentioned lists should be reconsidered, before 15 October 2020, to the following address:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

Any observations received will be taken into account for the purpose of the Council’s periodic review, in accordance with Article 10 of Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.

(1) OJ L 129 I, 17.5.2019, p. 13. (2) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p. 12. (3) OJ L 129 I, 17.5.2019, p. 1. (4) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p. 4. C 251/12 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 and Council Regulation (EU) 2019/796 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States

(2020/C 251/09)

The attention of data subjects is drawn to the following information in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) .

The legal basis for this processing operation are Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 (2), as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1127 (3), and in Council Regulation (EU) 2019/796 (4), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1125 (5) concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.

The controller of this processing operation is the Department RELEX.1.C in the Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs, Enlargement and Civil Protection – RELEX of the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC), that can be contacted at:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The GSC’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:

Data Protection Officer

[email protected]

The purpose of the processing operation is the establishment and updating of the list of persons subject to restrictive measures in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2019/797, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2020/1127, and in Regulation (EU) 2019/796, as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1125.

The data subjects are the natural persons who fulfil the listing criteria as laid down in Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 and Regulation (EU) 2019/796.

The personal data collected includes data necessary for the correct identification of the person concerned, the statement of reasons and any other data related thereto.

The personal data collected may be shared as necessary with the European External Action Service and the Commission.

(1) OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39. (2) OJ L 129 I, 17.5.2019, p. 13. (3) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p. 12. (4) OJ L 129 I, 17.5.2019, p. 1. (5) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p. 4. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/13

Notice for the attention of the person subject to restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1126, and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1124 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them

(2020/C 251/10)

The following information is brought to the attention of Mr Bryan D’ANCONA, the person listed in the Annex to Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 (1), as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1126 (2), and in Annex I to Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 (3), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1124 (4) concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.

The Council of the European Union has decided that the person who appears in the abovementioned Annexes should be included on the list of persons, groups, undertakings and entities subject to restrictive measures provided for in Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 and in Regulation (EU) 2016/1686.

The attention of the person concerned is drawn to the possibility of making an application to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State(s) as listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 in order to obtain an authorisation to use frozen funds for essential needs or specific payments in accordance with Article 5 of that Regulation.

The person concerned may submit a request to obtain the Council’s statement of reasons for including him on the abovementioned list. Any such request should be sent to the following address:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The person concerned may at any time submit a request to the Council, together with any supporting documentation, that the decision to include him on the list should be reconsidered, to the address provided above. In this regard, the attention of the person concerned is drawn to the regular review by the Council of the list according to Article 6(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 and Article 4(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1686. In order for requests to be considered at the next review, they should be submitted by 31 August 2020.

The attention of the person concerned is also drawn to the possibility of challenging the Council’s decision before the General Court of the European Union, in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 275, second paragraph, and Article 263, fourth and sixth paragraphs, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

(1) OJ L 255, 21.9.2016, p. 25. (2) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p 10. (3) OJ L 255, 21.9.2016, p. 1. (4) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p 1. C 251/14 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

Notice for the attention of the data subjects to whom the restrictive measures provided for in Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them apply

(2020/C 251/11)

The attention of data subjects is drawn to the following information in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

The legal basis for this processing operation are Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 (2), as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1126 (3), and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 (4), as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1124 (5).

The controller of this processing operation is the Department RELEX.1.C in the Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs, Enlargement and Civil Protection – RELEX of the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC), that can be contacted at:

Council of the European Union General Secretariat RELEX.1.C Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: [email protected]

The GSC’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:

Data Protection Officer

[email protected]

The purpose of the processing operation is the establishment and updating of the list of persons subject to restrictive measures in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2020/1126, and Regulation (EU) 2016/1686, as implemented by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1124.

The data subjects are the natural persons who fulfil the listing criteria as laid down in Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 and Regulation (EU) 2016/1686.

The personal data collected includes data necessary for the correct identification of the person concerned, the statement of reasons and any other data related thereto.

The personal data collected may be shared as necessary with the European External Action Service and the Commission.

(1) OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39. (2) OJ L 255, 21.9.2016, p. 25. (3) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p. 10 (4) OJ L 255, 21.9.2016, p. 1. (5) OJ L 246, 30.7.2020, p. 1. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/15

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1) 30 July 2020

(2020/C 251/12)

1 euro =

Currency Exchange rate Currency Exchange rate

USD US dollar 1,1743 CAD Canadian dollar 1,5771 JPY Japanese yen 123,58 HKD Hong Kong dollar 9,1011 DKK Danish krone 7,4426 NZD New Zealand dollar 1,7727 GBP Pound sterling 0,90268 SGD Singapore dollar 1,6161 KRW South Korean won 1 404,16 SEK Swedish krona 10,3068 ZAR South African rand 19,7070 CHF Swiss franc 1,0744 CNY Chinese yuan renminbi 8,2240 ISK Iceland króna 159,20 HRK Croatian kuna 7,4880 NOK Norwegian krone 10,7213 IDR Indonesian rupiah 17 144,78 BGN Bulgarian lev 1,9558 MYR Malaysian ringgit 4,9784 CZK Czech koruna 26,248 PHP Philippine peso 57,682 HUF Hungarian forint 345,60 RUB Russian rouble 86,6233 PLN Polish zloty 4,4080 THB Thai baht 36,920 RON Romanian leu 4,8318 BRL Brazilian real 6,1189 TRY Turkish lira 8,1978 MXN Mexican peso 26,0101 AUD Australian dollar 1,6446 INR Indian rupee 87,9400

(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB. C 251/16 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

NATIONAL EXEMPTIONS FOR GAMBLING SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM NATIONAL PROVISIONS TRANSPOSING DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/849 (AMLD) List of Member States who have decided to exempt providers of certain gambling services from national provisions transposing Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (This text annuls and replaces the text published in OJ C 170, 18.5.2020, p. 23)

(2020/C 251/13)

If a Member State decides to exempt, in full or in part, providers of certain gambling services from national provisions transposing this Directive, it shall notify the Commission of this decision, together with a justification based on a specific risk assessment. A Member State may give or revoke such a notification at any time. The Commission shall communicate such decisions to the other Member States

The Member States that have notified the Commission of such decisions, by July 2020, are:

Member State Exempted gambling services provider[s]

Austria In accordance with Section 31c paragraph 3 items 1 and 2 of the Federal Gambling Act of 28 November 1989 (Glücksspielgesetz – GSpG, Federal Law Gazette No 620/1989, in its amended version as in Federal Law Gazette No 118/2016) the following lottery games are partially exempted: — Lotto (Section 6 Gambling Act) — Football pools (Section 7 Gambling Act) — Add-on game (Section 8 Gambling Act) — Instant lotteries (Section 9 Gambling Act) — Class lotteries (Section 10 Gambling Act) — Number lotto (Section 11 Gambling Act) — Number lotteries (Section 12 Gambling Act) — online gambling (Section 12a paragraph 1 Gambling Act) — Bingo and Keno (Section 12b Gambling Act) These partial exemptions rely on current assessment that these gambling services present lower risk and shall cease to apply if this level of risk is considered as increasing in future assessments.

Belgium In accordance with Article 5.1 of Law on prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing of 18 September 2017: — the National Lottery In accordance with Article 25, paragraph 1, 9, of the law of 7 May 1999 on games of chance, betting, gaming establishments and the protection of players, and Royal decree of 30 January 2019 published on 8 February 2019: — Holders of a (Class C) licence, which, for renewable periods of five years, on the conditions it determines, allows the operation of a (Class III) gaming establishment or a drinking establishment, — Holders of a (class G1) licence, which, for renewable periods of five years, on the conditions it determines, allows the exploitation of games of chance in television programmes by means of series of numbers from the Belgian numbering plan and which form a complete game programme, — Holders of a (class G2) licence, which, for a period of one year, on the conditions it determines, allows the exploitation of games of chance via a medium other than those presented in television programmes by means of series numbers of the Belgian numbering plan and which form a complete game programme. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/17

Czechia In accordance with Act. No 253/2008 of 5 June 2008 on selected measures against legitimisation of the proceeds of crime and the financing of terrorism: — Bingo games — Tombola — Monetary lotteries — Material lotteries — Instant and/or numerical lotteries

Denmark Pursuant to Article 1(5) of Act No 651, 8 June 2017 on the prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and Notice of partial exemption of certain games from money laundering laws of 26 June 2017: — Local pool betting — Gaming machines outside casinos offering cash winnings with stake/payout limits — Lotteries, Klasselotteriet (‘class lotteries’) and non-profit lotteries (including Bingo games and Tombola when qualifying as non-profit lotteries) — Land based poker when played in a tournament format, in unions and when it is without profit for the licence holder — Online Bingo broadcast on television — Manager games (seasonal fantasy sports, not daily) — Competitions where participation is through SMS or similar — Games offered in accordance with Section 9-15 of the executive order on public amusements.

Estonia In accordance with § 6 Estonian Gambling Act of 15 October 2008, in accordance with the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act of 26 October 2017: — Commercial lotteries

Finland In accordance with Chapter 1 Section 3(4) of the Law on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing of 28 June 2017 (444/2017): — Slot machines kept outside of casinos

Germany In accordance with Section 2 para. 1 No 15 of the Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz) of 23 June 2017: — operators of gambling machines/slot machines as defined by Section 33c of the Gewerbeordnung, — associations conducting business of a totalizator pursuant to Section 1 of the Race Betting and Lottery Act (Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz), — lotteries, except online lotteries, whose operators or brokers have a public licence of the competent authority in Germany, — social lotteries

Hungary In accordance with the Law on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing (entered into force on 26 June 2017): — drawing games, as defined and regulated under Articles 15-24 of the Law 34 of 1991 on Gambling Operations (Drawing games include drawing lot games, tombola, scratch cards and the so‐called other drawing games, like offline bingo).

Ireland In accordance with Section 25(8) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act of 2010, as amended, and Regulation 3 of Statutory instrument 487/2018: — Gaming machines or amusement machines provided in accordance with Section 14 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, — Lotteries within the meaning of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 including Bingo, — Poker provided at a physical location other than a casino or private members’ club

Netherlands In accordance with Article 2 of the Regulation of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Justice and Security of 13 July 2018, No 2018-0000113969 (Implementation regulation of the fourth anti-money laundering directive) — charity lotteries (Article 3 of the Games of Chance Act), — providers of weekly shopping promotions and small games of chance (Article 7a of the Games of Chance Act), — the state lottery (Article 8 of the Games of Chance Act), — the Instant Lottery (Article 14a of the Games of Chance Act), — providers of sports competitions (Article 15 of the Games of Chance Act), C 251/18 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

— totalizers (Article 23 of the Games of Chance Act), — the Lotto (Article 27a of the Games of Chance Act), — anyone who has slot machines (Article 30b of the Games of Chance Act), — operators of slot machines (Section 30h of the Games of Chance Act).

Slovenia In accordance with the Decree on the exemption of organisers of classic games of chance from the implementation of measures for detecting and preventing money laundering and terrorist financing (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No 66/18 of 12 October 2018): — societies and non-profit humanitarian organisations established in the Republic of Slovenia which provide classical gambling services on an occasional basis are fully exempted from the implementation of measures in accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No 68/16 of 4 November 2016), — operators permanently providing classical gambling services based on a concession by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia are in part exempted from the implementation of measures relating to customer due diligence, which are to be implemented in accordance with this Decree.

Sweden In accordance with Chapter 8 Article 1 of the Measures Against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act (SFS 2017:630), Article 20 of the ordinance on Measures Against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (SFS 2009:92) and Chapter 1 Article 2 of the Swedish Gambling Authority’s Regulations and General Advice on Measures Against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (SIFS 2019:2): 1. Lotteries carried out in accordance with a licence under Chapter 5 of the Gambling Act (SFS 2018:1138) and that are not online gambling or casino games at a casino; 2. Lotteries carried out in accordance with a licence or registration under Chapter 6 of the Gambling Act and that are not online gambling; 3. Casino games and gambling on goods gaming machines with a licence under Chapter 9 of the Gambling Act; 4. Games at cash gaming machines and token machines, with the exception of tournament card games, with licence under Chapter 10 of the Gambling Act. Exemptions 1 and 2 do not apply if the customer is allowed to add funds to a player’s account, i.e. funds that are not direct payment for participation in the lottery. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/19

Liquidation procedures Decision to open bankruptcy proceedings for ‘Societatea CERTASIG – Societate de Asigurare și Reasigurare – S.A.’ (Publication made in accordance with Article 14 of Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings (Article 280 of Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance))

(2020/C 251/14)

Insurance undertaking ‘Societatea CERTASIG – Societate de Asigurare și Reasigurare – SA’ with its registered office in Bucharest, sector 1, str. Ni colae Caramfil No 61B, registered at the Trade Register Office under No J40/9518/11 July 2003, sole registration code 12408250, registered in the Registrar of Insurance under No RA-021 on 10 April 2003 Date, entry into force and nature of decision 20.2.2020 – Decision No 209/20.02.2020 on the withdra wal of the operating licence of ‘Societatea CERTASIG – Soci etate de Asigurare și Reasigurare – SA’, the declaration of its insolvency and the submission of an application for initiation of bankruptcy proceedings against it; Interim Ruling of the Court of Bucharest of 29.6.2020 on the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings against the company SAR Certasig SA. Competent authorities ‘Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară’ (ASF) [Financial Supervisory Authority], with its head office at Splaiul Independenței No 15, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania Supervisory authority ‘Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară’ (ASF) [Financial Supervisory Authority], with its head office at Splaiul Independenței No 15, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania Liquidator appointed Court-appointed liquidator – CITR Filiala Cluj SPRL Contact details for the court-appointed liquidator – Calea Dorobanților 48, Cluj-Napoca 400000 Applicable law Romania Government Emergency Order No 93/2012 on the establish ment, organisation and functioning of the Financial Super visory Authority, approved with amendments by Law No 113/2013, as amended; Law No 503/2004 on financial recovery, bankruptcy, and voluntary dissolution and winding-up in the insurance busi ness, republished; Law No 237/2015 on the authorisation and supervision of insurance activities, as amended Law No 85/2014 on insolvency prevention and insolvency proceedings, as amended. C 251/20 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

(Announcements)

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9899 — KKR/Koos Holding Cooperatief) Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 251/15)

1. On 24 July 2020, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). This notification concerns the following undertakings: — KKR & Co. Inc. (‘KKR’, United States) — Koos Holding Coöperatief U.A. (‘Koos Holding’, the Netherlands)

KKR acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Koos Holding.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for KKR: global investment firm, which offers a broad range of alternative asset funds and other investment products to investors and provides capital markets solutions for the firm, its portfolio companies and other clients, — for Koos Holding: development and refurbishing of holiday parks, which it either manages and operates itself or for which it partners with the operator to act as booking agent. The holiday parks are operated under the ‘Roompot’ brand and range from basic campsites offering tents or bungalow accommodation to a selection of more upscale villas. Koos Holding Operates parks in the Netherlands and Germany, and is active as a booking agent for parks in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Denmark.

3. On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4. The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’). (2) OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/21

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

(M.9899 — KKR/Koos Holding Cooperatief)

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: [email protected]

Fax +32 229-64301

Postal address:

European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË C 251/22 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

OTHER ACTS

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Publication of an application for approval of non-minor amendments 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

(2020/C 251/16)

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 of the date of this publication.

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF NON-MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION FOR A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN OR PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION Application for approval of amendments in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

‘CHABICHOU DU POITOU’

EU No: PDO-FR-0115-AM01 – 5.12.2018

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest Syndicat de défense du Chabichou du Poitou Address:

Agropole Route de Chauvigny CS 45002 86550 Mignaloux-Beauvoir FRANCE Tel. +33 549447480 Fax +33 549467905 Email: [email protected] The group is composed of milk producers, farmers, cheese refiners and processors and has a legitimate interest in submitting the application.

2. Member State or Third Country France

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: contact details of the competent authority and of the group, inspection, national requirements

(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/23

4. Type of amendment(s) Amendments to the product specification of a registered PDO or PGI not to be qualified as minor within the meaning of the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 Amendments to the product specification of a registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published and which cannot be qualified as minor within the meaning of the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

5. Amendment(s)

1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The sentence: ‘Chabichou du Poitou is a cheese made entirely from whole goat’s milk. It is an unpressed soft cheese with a fat content of 45 % and a thin skin with patches of white, yellow and blue mould on the surface’. has been replaced by: ‘“Chabichou du Poitou” is made entirely from raw whole goat’s milk. It is an unpressed soft cheese, uncooked, curdled by lactic acid with a small amount of rennet added, lightly salted with a thin skin with patches of white, yellow or blue mould on the surface. The cheese contains at least 18 grams of fat per 100 grams of finished product.’ The requirement to use raw milk has been added in order to preserve the natural microbiological qualities of the milk. In order to provide more detail, the product is now described as a lightly salted, uncooked soft cheese, with curdling achieved by the addition of a small amount of rennet. Similarly, the patches of surface mould are described as potentially ‘white, yellow or blue’ as patches of mould in all these colours do necessarily appear on the cheeses. The wording relating to the fat content of the cheese has been amended to take into account changes in labelling, with the percentage of fat expressed in terms of the finished product. The description of the mould for shaping the cheese has been removed from this section. It can be found at section 5.3.c of the specification, on the cheese processing. The following sentence has been added: ‘At the end of the minimum maturing period, the characteristic “CdP” symbol appears on the top of the cheeses’. The requirement for the imprint ‘CdP’, made by the mould, to appear on the top of the cheeses has been added. The imprint is in fact integral to the mould used by all operators and is an identifying factor of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’. The following sentence has been added: ‘The total weight of dry matter must not be less than 40 grams per cheese’. The total weight of dry matter per cheese has been added. By expressing the cheese’s weight as dry matter and setting a minimum dry extract for the cheese, it is possible to exclude from marketing cheeses that are too small (due to a moulding defect) or too moist (due to a lack of drying and/or the use of excessively wet curd). The following sentence: ‘Its average weight is 120 grams.’ has been replaced by: ‘The minimum weight of the cheese is 140 grams after the minimum maturing period.’ The concept of ‘average weight’ has been replaced by ‘minimum weight’, which is easier to check. It is specified that the minimum weight of the cheese is determined after the minimum maturating period. The average weight has been changed to minimum weight to take into account the reality of weights recorded at the end of the minimum maturing period. The sentence: ‘The white paste is firm and smooth while maintaining a natural springiness.’ has been replaced by: ‘The white paste is firm, and the texture consistent and smooth while maintaining a natural springiness.’ C 251/24 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

The description of the cheese has been supplemented by the organoleptic qualities, with reference to the texture of the paste as consistent. The following paragraph has been added:

‘When the cheese is young, the texture is meltingly soft. After a long maturing, the paste becomes crumbly and may be runny under the skin. When the cheese is young, the flavour is mild with a lactic character. After several weeks of maturing, the goat’s cheese taste becomes more pronounced and persistent. Nutty aromas are sometimes perceptible. The flavour is not excessively salty, acidic or bitter.’

The description of the cheese has been supplemented by the organoleptic qualities, with reference to the flavour of the cheese and, specifically, how it develops during maturing.

In the single document, the sentence ‘Unpressed soft cheese made from goat’s milk, white inside with a thin skin; in the shape of a truncated cone, known as a “bonde”. The cheeses are approximately 6 cm high and the average weight is 120 grams. Fat content: 45 %.’

has been replaced by: ‘“Chabichou du Poitou” is made entirely from raw whole goat’s milk. It is an unpressed and uncooked soft cheese, curdled by lactic acid with a small amount of rennet added, lightly salted with a thin skin with patches of white, yellow or blue mould on the surface.

Its shape is a truncated cone known as a “bonde”, referring to the shape of a wooden bung sticking out of a barrel. At the end of the minimum maturing period, the characteristic “CdP” symbol appears on the top of the cheeses. The cheese contains at least 18 grams of fat per 100 grams of finished product. The total weight of dry matter must not be less than 40 grams per cheese. The minimum weight of the cheese is 140 grams after the minimum maturing period of 10 days following curdling.

The white paste is firm, and the texture consistent and smooth while maintaining a natural springiness. When the cheese is young, the texture is meltingly soft. After a long maturing, the paste becomes crumbly and may be runny under the skin. When the cheese is young, the flavour is mild with a lactic character. After several weeks of maturing, the goat’s cheese taste becomes more noticeable and persistent. Nutty aromas are sometimes perceptible. The flavour is not excessively salty, acidic or bitter.’

2. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA A list of municipalities in the geographical area has been added under this heading, in order to facilitate checks. The perimeter of the geographical area is unchanged. This list covers all the municipalities in the geographical area where all stages of production can be carried out: milk production, cheese-making and maturing. In addition, references have been added to the date of the official geographical code currently in force and to plans lodged at the town hall, in order to make the list accurate and unambiguous.

3. PROOF OF ORIGIN

The declaration requirements applying to operators have been added. The requirements are as follows: — a declaration identifying operators and giving them authorisation by acknowledging that they fulfil the requirements of the specification;

— the declarations necessary for identifying and monitoring the products to be placed on the market with the denomination of origin;

— the obligations on the part of the operators to keep records; — in order for the product to be traceable from milk collection to cheese-making, a requirement has been added to keep the following records: amounts of milk collected individually to be made into ‘Chabichou du Poitou’; amounts of milk renneted to make ‘Chabichou du Poitou’; and the number of cheeses in moulds, purchased without being matured, stripped of classification, or placed on the market with the PDO. The frequency of record-keeping has also been added: records are updated at each collection by the milk producers, and monthly by the cheese-makers and refiners; 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/25

— other types of information to be recorded by the cheese-makers and refiners have been added, including the duration of the various stages of cheese-making, acidity at the time of curdling and placing in moulds, temperatures, date of dispatch and destination of white and matured cheeses; for checking purposes, the requirements for milk producers have also been added, including ensuring traceability of the feed for the herds through documents stating the nature, quantities provided and origin of the feed;

— finally, a paragraph has been added on the checks carried out on the characteristics of products intended to be placed on the market with the denomination of origin: ‘At the end of the minimum maturing period, the cheeses are subjected to analytical and organoleptic tests using sampling’.

4. METHOD OF PRODUCTION

Milk production conditions in holdings

A definition has been added for the herd, defined as being composed of ‘animals that have produced offspring at least once’.

The authorised breeds of goat have been added. They are breeds currently represented in holdings that rear goats in the geographical area: ‘Alpine, Saanen and Poitevine and their crosses’.

A minimum requirement for food self-sufficiency has been added to strengthen the link with the geographical area through the feeding of the goats: ‘at least 75 % of the total feed must come from the geographical area, i.e. 825 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year’. This requirement takes into account the current practices and constraints in goat-rearing in the geographical area, especially the size of herds, adaptation to a climate with regular periods of drought, the geological nature of the soil, and the presence of limestone soil suitable for growing leguminous fodder, especially lucerne. For the same reason, the following has also been added: ‘the fodder is produced entirely in the geographical area’ and ‘the annual amount of feed per goat contains at least 200 kilograms of dry matter in the form of lucerne or legumes from the geographical area’. This latter requirement makes it possible to avoid a feeding system of the ‘straw and concentrate’ type which would adversely affect the quality of the milk and the diversity of the feed in the form of fodder.

A minimum percentage of fodder has been added: ‘The feed comprises a minimum of 55 % fodder, i.e. 605 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year’; A list of authorised fodder types has also been added: ‘fodder in the forms of grasses, pure legumes or legumes in combination, root and cruciferous vegetables, straw and whole cereal plants, legumes, oilseeds and protein crops supplementing other coarse fodder, wild species present in the geographical area. They are eaten fresh, baled, as hay, in pellets or dried’.

The wording ‘silage is prohibited’ has been added due to its undesirable effects on the characteristics of the cheese.

In addition, this wording has been added: ‘baling is authorised up to a limit of 200 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year’. It is specified that such bales must have ‘a minimum content of 50 % dry matter’ to ensure their nutritional and health value.

In order to ensure that some fodder is provided in the form of hay or fresh grass, the phrase ‘pellets and dried fodder are limited to 200 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year’ has been added.

A maximum amount has been added for feed concentrates: no more than 495 kilograms per goat per year. A minimum quantity of these supplementary foods that must come from the geographical area has been added: at least 150 kilograms per goat per year, or 30 % of the supplementary feed. This amount must consist of cereals and/or oilseeds and/or protein crops.

Authorised foods in the supplementary feed necessary for goat’s milk production have been added. This is in order to regulate farmers’ practices and to avoid supplements that could have an undesirable effect on the quality of the milk:

‘Only the following items may be included in the supplementary feed, either mixed on the farm or in the form of commercial feed supplements:

— cereal grains, whole or processed, and products derived therefrom;

— oil seeds, oil fruits, and products derived therefrom;

— legume seeds and products derived therefrom;

— other seeds and fruits, and products derived therefrom; nut-based press cakes, chestnut pieces;

— tubers, roots and products derived therefrom; C 251/26 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

— vegetable oils and fats;

— fodder, coarse fodder and products derived therefrom;

— minerals and products derived therefrom;

— technological additives: binding agents, thickeners, gelling agents;

— trace elements and vitamins’.

These feed items contribute to the milk composition and encourage a variety of milk flora, due especially to the presence of yeasts.

The variety of the feed given to the goats, the ban on silage and the regulating of baling and dehydrated foods help to create the organoleptic characteristics of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’.

Milk used

The conditions for storing milk on farms have been added: ‘Milk cannot be stored on farms for more than 48 hours in refrigerated tanks’. This is to preserve the qualities of the milk (caseins and calcium) and limit the development of psychrotrophic microorganisms as these limit the development of natural lactic flora.

The phrase ‘the milk used is a raw goat’s milk’ has been added. Production using raw milk is obligatory in order to preserve the qualities, in particular the organoleptic qualities, of the milk as well as its original flora and thereby strengthen the link with the geographical area.

Processing

The key stages in the production of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ are explained in order to best describe the product and ensure that production practices for ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ are respected.

a) ‘milk maturing’:

The existence of a milk maturing stage has been added: it must start no more than 10 hours after the milk has been received. The relevant regulatory values have also been added: a minimum of 2 hours duration and a temperature of at least 8 °C. This stage is essential to increase the lactic flora, encourage acidification and select flora. It must therefore be carried out under the best conditions for enabling the lactic flora to develop properly.

Another addition is that it is permitted to use starter cultures. These can be based on whey from cheese-making, either fresh or frozen, or commercial milk starter cultures or starters specific to the group. They can used either by direct inoculation or by culturing in goat’s milk, which can be enriched with powered goat’s milk.

The types of authorised starter cultures have been added in order to regulate producer practices:

— natural flora present in the raw milk;

— flora developed in the whey;

— flora endemic to dairies;

— commercial flora from the mould and/or yeast families;

— flora specific to the group.

b) ‘renneting and curdling’:

The following regulatory values have been added for the renneting stage: maximum of 24 hours between the start of milking and the addition of rennet; maximum pH of 6,45 or minimum acidity of 16° Dornic. These limits ensure that the lactic flora develop properly between milking and renneting.

The maximum temperature of 25 °C has been added for renneting to ensure that the mesophilic flora develop properly.

The maximum renneting dose is specified: 8 millilitres per 100 litres of milk for rennet with a chymosin level of 520 milligrams per litre. This preserves the lactic character of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’, which affects the texture of the paste.

The minimum renneting time of 16 hours has been added to achieve the acidity necessary for moulding. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/27

Reference has been added to the ban on delaying the curd and to the purchase of fresh curd loose, not moulded, as this practice can have a negative effect on the organoleptic characteristics of the cheese. The ban also takes into account developments in cheese-making technology observed among producers, such as the ban on pre-draining. c) ‘moulding’: The level of acidity at the time of moulding has been added: a minimum of 50° Dornic or a maximum pH of 4,6 as the level of acidity makes it possible to check the lactic character of the cheese at this important stage in production. With regard to the curd, the words ‘pre-drained or not’ have been removed as pre-draining is banned. This is in order to preserve the structure of the curd and obtain the smooth-textured paste characteristic of the cheese. In the single document, the words ‘pre-drained or not’ have also been removed. Reference has been added to the fact that moulding may take place on the ‘pelle’ (perforated ladle) according to producers’ practices, in individual moulds or block moulds with dividers. The ban on mechanical aids tor moulding has been added to prevent the adoption of moulding techniques that do not respect the integrity of the curd. The wording referring to the characteristics of the mould: ‘minimum height of 6,5 centimetres, maximum height of 16 centimetres with a diameter of 6 centimetres at the base and a diameter of 6,5 centimetres at the height of 6,5 centimetres’ and ‘perforated mould in the shape of a truncated cone with established measurements’ has been replaced by: ‘The mould used is a perforated mould in the shape of a truncated cone with the following interior measures: minimum height of 6,5 centimetres, maximum height of 16 centimetres (including mould extensions) and a diameter of 6,2 centimetres at the base and a diameter of 6,6 centimetres at the height of 6,5 centimetres. The mould has 5 rings of 9 holes each around its cone-shaped sides. The holes are 2 millimetres in diameter and are arranged in a staggered formation. The mould has the CdP inlay at the base. The base is slightly rounded with a 5 millimetre rim. It has a ring of 3 holes of 2 millimetres at the 13 millimetre diameter; 6 holes of 2 millimetres at the 23 millimetre diameter; and 12 holes of 2 millimetres at the 40 millimetre diameter.’ Use of a specific mould, described in exhaustive detail, is an essential point in the specification. It establishes the typical shape of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ as a small bung, as well as the behaviour of the whey as it drains. The measurements of the diameter at the base and top of the mould have been moved from the product description section and corrected: 6,2 instead of 6 for the diameter at the base; 6,6 instead of 6,5 for the diameter at the top. This corrects an error that occurred when the PDO was registered. Clarification has been added that the maximum height of the mould includes mould extensions. d) ‘draining’ The sentence ‘Draining lasts between 18 and 24 hours’ has been replaced in the section on draining by: ‘It lasts a minimum of 18 hours.’ The maximum draining time of ‘24 hours’ has been removed as the use of raw milk, now obligatory, may require a long draining time in order to achieve the correct texture for the ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ paste. The maximum draining time of 48 hours has also been removed from the single document. A minimum number of 3 turns has been added, between moulding and unmoulding. This is necessary for draining the whey and contributes to the final shape of the cheese. e) ‘salting’ The technique of salting in brine has been regulated in order to avoid any deterioration in quality: the brine must be saturated and used at a temperature of 25 °C. Use of saturated brine makes it possible to ensure that the salt concentration remains the same. The maximum temperature of 25 °C for the brine makes it possible to avoid excessive temperatures that could prevent the flora from developing properly by enabling undesirable mesophilic flora to develop. C 251/28 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

f) ‘drying’

The sentence:

‘They are then placed in a drying room for 24 to 48 hours’

has been replaced by

‘The cheeses are dried for a minimum of 24 hours. After drying, the bloom should have started to appear.’ This is to allow more flexibility in managing the process. According to current practice, drying does not necessarily happen in a specific place. Producers who are farmers, in particular, often use the rooms in which they make the cheese. Furthermore, the purpose of drying is to allow the yeasts to develop before the cheeses are placed in the maturing room. Therefore the maximum duration has been replaced by a result-based requirement. This visual indicator makes it possible to ensure that the final objective of this stage has been achieved. Specifically this means the start of the bloom, i.e. the appearance of the first ripening flora on the surface.

The maximum drying time of 48 hours has also been removed from the single document.

g) ‘ripening’

The sentence:

‘Maturing in a maturing room lasts for a minimum of 10 days in the production area, starting from the day of renneting. It takes place at a temperature of between 10 °C and 12 °C, at a humidity of between 80 % and 90 %.’

has been replaced by:

‘Cooling is a gradual process. 10 days after renneting, the temperature of the maturing room must be a minimum of 8 °C.

When leaving the maturing room, the cheese has a fully formed skin with patches of surface mould easily visible to the naked eye.

Where cheeses are transported from the place of production to the place of maturing, they can be chilled for transport for a maximum of 24 hours. This period has been added to the minimum maturing period.’

The conditions for maturing have been amended, although the minimum period has not been changed. The maximum temperature in the final stage of maturing must be lower than the temperature at which the process began, i.e. a maximum of 25 °C at the time of renneting, taking into account the requirement for gradual cooling. The minimum temperature for maturing 10 days after renneting has been lowered from 10 °C to 8 °C. This takes into account current practice. At 8 °C and above, the flora develop and activate lipolysis and proteolysis to allow the specific aromas of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ to develop. The maximum temperature for maturing has been removed in order to allow refiners more flexibility. Reference has been added to the external appearance of the cheeses on leaving the maturing room. In effect, the maturing stage depends not only on the temperature, but also on examining the external appearance of the cheeses for the development of surface flora.

The minimum and maximum humidity levels have been removed as they no longer correspond to the practices of certain refiners. In reality, refiners regulate the humidity according to the dry matter at the time of unmoulding. This can vary significantly depending on the quality of the milks used. The humidity in the maturing room is therefore likely to undergo significant variations outside of the limits laid down in the current specification.

A maximum time of 24 hours has been added for chilling non-matured cheeses before they are transported in refrigerated vehicles. The purpose is to prevent certain faults that could arise from being in cold storage for too long. This period has been added to the minimum maturing period due to the ban on maturing at low temperatures.

The maximum temperature for maturing of 10 °C and the humidity range of 80 % to 90 % have been removed from the single document.

5. LINK

The section of the product specification concerning the link to the geographical area has been entirely rewritten to make the link between ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ and its geographical area more explicit, although fundamentally the link has not been changed. Particular emphasis has been placed on the milk production conditions allowing the use of raw milk suitable for cheese-making, which requires specific know-how, and on the maturing conditions. The point on the ‘Specificity of the geographical area’ reiterates the geographical area’s natural and human factors, 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/29

summarising historical aspects and highlighting relevant specific know-how. The point on the‘Specificity of the product’ showcases some of the elements presented in the description of the product. Finally, the point ‘Causal link’ explains the interactions between the natural and human factors and the product.

This amendment has also been made to the single document.

6. LABELLING

The following paragraph has been deleted:

‘When marketed, cheeses with the designation of origin must have an individual label featuring the name of the designation of origin together with the term ‘appellation d’origine’ [denomination of origin], all written in characters at least two-thirds the size of the largest characters featuring on the label.

The logo of ‘INAO’ [National Institute of Origin and Quality] is also compulsory.

In addition, the terms ‘fabrication fermière’ [farm-made] or ‘fromage fermier’ [farm cheese] or any other term suggesting farm origin may be used only by producers who process the milk produced on their own holdings.

The terms may also be used for farm-made cheese collected and ripened by a refiner’.

The following sentence has been added:

‘Besides the compulsory references laid down in the rules on labelling and presentation of foodstuffs, the labelling features the registered name of the product and the EU PDO logo in the same visual field.’

The section on labelling has been updated to reflect developments in national and European legislation. The requirement relating to the size of the letters has been removed. The obligation for the name and EU PDO logo to appear in the same visual field seems more appropriate.

These amendments have also been made to the single document.

7. OTHER

The address of the competent service of the Member State has been updated.

The name and contact details of the group have been updated and its legal status added.

Under the heading on references to the inspection bodies, the name and contact details of the official bodies have been updated. This section provides the contact details of the authorities responsible for national inspections, i.e.: the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) and the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF). A note has been added that the name and contact details of the certification body may be consulted via the INAO website and the European Commission’s database.

As regards the section on national requirements, a table displaying the main points to be checked and the method of evaluating them has been added.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘CHABICHOU DU POITOU’

EU No: PDO-FR-0115-AM01 – 5.12.2018

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1. Name(s)

‘Chabichou du Poitou’

2. Member State or Third Country

France C 251/30 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product Class 1.3. Cheeses

3.2. Description of product to which the name in 1 applies ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ is made entirely from raw whole goat’s milk. It is an unpressed and uncooked soft cheese, curdled by lactic acid with a small amount of rennet added, lightly salted with a thin skin with patches of white, yellow or blue mould on the surface. Its shape is a truncated cone known as a ‘bonde’, referring to the shape of a wooden bung sticking out of a barrel. At the end of the minimum maturing period, the characteristic ‘CdP’ symbol appears on the top of the cheeses. The cheese contains at least 18 grams of fat per 100 grams of finished product. The total weight of dry matter must not be lower than 40 grams per cheese. The minimum weight of the cheese is 140 grams following the minimum maturing period of 10 days after curdling. The white paste is firm, the texture consistent and smooth while maintaining a natural springiness. When the cheese is young, the texture is meltingly soft. After a long maturing, the paste becomes crumbly and may be runny under the skin. When the cheese is young, the flavour is mild with a lactic character. After several weeks of maturing, the goat’s cheese taste becomes more pronounced and persistent. Nutty aromas are sometimes perceptible. The flavour is not excessively salty, acidic or bitter.

3.3. Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only) At least 75 % of the goats’ total annual feed must come from the geographical area, i.e. 825 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year. This requirement takes into account current practices and constraints in goat-rearing in the geographical area. These are linked to adaptation to a climate with regular periods of drought, and to the geological nature of the soil. The fodder is produced entirely in the geographical area. The feed comprises a minimum of 55 % fodder, i.e. 605 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year. The following are considered to be fodder: grasses, pure legumes or legumes in combination, root and cruciferous vegetables, straw and whole cereal plants, legumes, oilseeds and protein crops supplementing other coarse fodder, wild species present in the geographical area. They are eaten fresh, baled, as hay, in pellets or dried. Silage is prohibited. Baling is authorised up to a limit of 200 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year. Baled fodder must have a minimum content of 50 % dry matter. Pellets and dried fodder are limited to 200 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year. The amount per goat per year contains at least 200 kilograms of dry matter in the form of lucerne or legumes from the geographical area. Only the following materials may be included in the supplementary feed, either mixed on the farm or in the form of commercial feed supplements: — cereal grains, whole or processed, and products derived therefrom; — oil seeds, oil fruits, and products derived therefrom; — legume seeds and products derived therefrom; — other seeds and fruits, and products derived therefrom; nut-based press cakes, chestnut pieces; — tubers, roots and products derived therefrom; — vegetable oils and fats; — fodder, coarse fodder and products derived therefrom; — minerals and products derived therefrom; — technological additives: binding agents, thickeners, gelling agents; — trace elements and vitamins. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/31

It is permitted to use starter cultures based on whey from the same holding. Supplementary feed is limited to 495 kilograms of dry matter per goat per year. The supplementary feed contains a minimum of 150 kilograms or 30 % of cereals and/or oil seeds and/or protein crops from the geographical area.

3.4. Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area Milk production, cheese production and maturing take place within the geographical area.

3.5. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to Besides the compulsory references laid down in the rules on labelling and presentation of foodstuffs, the labelling features the registered name of the product and the EU PGI logo in the same visual field.

3.6. Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to —

4. Concise definition of the geographical area Department of Vienne canton of Chasseneuil-du-Poitou: all municipalities; canton of Châtellerault 1: all municipalities; canton of Châtellerault 2: municipalities of Châtellerault, Orches, Savigny-sous-Faye, Sérigny, Sossais; canton de Châtellerault 3: municipalities of Châtellerault, Senillé-Saint-Sauveur; canton of Chauvigny: municipalities of Availles-en-Châtellerault, Bonneuil-Matours, Cenon-sur-Vienne, Chauvigny (the part that belonged to it on 29 June 1990), Valdivienne (the part that belong to Chauvigny on 29 June 1990); canton of Civray: municipalities of Anois, Blanzay, Champagné-le-Sec, Champagné-Saint-Hilaire, Champniers, La Chapelle-Bâton, Charroux, Chatain, Château-Garnier, Civray, La Ferrière-Airoux, Genouillé, Joussé, Linazay, Lizant, Magné, Mauprévoir, Payroux, Saint-Gaudent, Saint-Macoux, Saint-Martin-l’Ars, Saint-Pierre-d’Exideuil, Saint-Romain, Saint-Saviol, Savigné, Sommières-du-Clain, Surin, Voulême; canton of Jaunay-Clan: all municipalities; canton of Loudun: municipalities of Angliers, Arçay, Aulnay, Berthegon, Cernay, Chalais, La Chaussée, Chouppes, La Roche-Rigault, Coussay, Craon, Curçay-sur-Dive, Dercé, Doussay, Glénouze, La Grimaudière, Guesnes, Loudun, Martaizé, Maulay, Mazeuil, Messemé, Moncontour, Monts-sur-Guesnes, Mouterre-Silly, Prinçay, Ranton, Saint-Clair, Saint-Jean-de-Sauves, Saint-Laon, Saires, Sammarçolles, Ternay, Verrue canton of Lusignan: all municipalities; canton of Lussac-les-Châteaux: municipalities of Bouresse, Brion, Gençay, Lhommaizé, Moussac, Queaux, Saint- Laurent-de-Jourdes, Saint-Maurice-la-Clouère, Saint-Secondin, Usson-du-Poitou, Verrières, Le Vigeant; canton of Migné-Auxances: all municipalities; canton of Poitiers 1: all municipalities; canton of Poitiers 2: all municipalities; canton of Poitiers 3: all municipalities; canton of Poitiers 4: all municipalities; canton of Poitiers 5: all municipalities; canton of Vivonne: all municipalities; canton of Vouneuil-sous-Biard: all municipalities; Department of Deux-Sèvres canton of Bressuire: municipality of Geay; canton of Celles-sur-Belle: all municipalities; C 251/32 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 31.7.2020

canton of La Gâtine: municipalities of Aubigny, Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay, La Boissière-en-Gâtine, Chantecorps, Clavé, Coutières, Doux, La Ferrière-en-Parthenay, Fomperron, Les Forges, Gourgé, Les Groseillers, Lhoumois, Mazières-en- Gâtine, Ménigoute, Oroux, La Peyratte, Pressigny, Reffannes, Saint-Georges-de-Noisné, Saint-Germier, Saint-Lin, Saint-Marc-la-Lande, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Pardoux, Saurais, Soutiers, Thénezay, Vasles, Vausseroux, Vautebis, Verruyes, Vouhé;

canton of Melle: all municipalities;

canton of Mignon-et-Boutonne: municipalities of Asnières-en-Poitou, Brieuil-sur-Chizé, Brioux-sur-Boutonne, Chérigné, Ensigné, Juillé, Luché-sur-Brioux, Lusseray, Paizay-le-Chapt, Périgné, Secondigné-sur-Belle, Séligné, Vernoux-sur-Boutonne, Villefollet, Villiers-sur-Chizé;

canton of la Plaine Niortaise: municipalities of Brûlain, Prahecq, Saint-Martin-de-Bernegoue, Vouillé;

canton of Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole: municipalities of Augé, Azay-le-Brûlé, La Crèche, Exireuil, Nanteuil, Romans, Sainte- Eanne, Saint-Maixent-l’École, Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent, Sainte-Néomaye, Saivres, Souvigné;

canton of Thouars: municipalities of Missé, Saint-Jacques-de-Thouars, Saint-Jean-de-Thouars, Thouars;

canton of Val de Thouet: municipalities of Airvault, Assais-les-Jumeaux, Availles-Thouarsais, Boussais, Brie, Brion- près-Thouet, Le Chillou, Glénay, Irais, Louin, Luzay, Maisontiers, Marnes, Oiron, Pas-de-Jeu, Pierrefitte, Saint-Cyr-la- Lande, Sainte-Gemme, Saint-Généroux, Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrun, Saint-Loup-Lamairé, Saint- Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Saint-Varent, Taizé-Maulais, Tessonnière, Tourtenay;

Department of Charente

canton of Charente-Bonnieure: municipalities of Benest, Le Bouchage, Champagne-Mouton, Vieux-Ruffec;

canton of la Charente-Nord: municipalities of Les Adjots, Bernac, Bioussac, Brettes, La Chèvrerie, Condac, Courcôme, Empuré, La Faye, La Forêt-de-Tessé, Londigny, Longré, La Magdeleine, Montjean, Nanteuil-en-Vallée, Paizay-Naudouin- Embourie, Raix, Ruffec, Saint-Gourson, Saint-Martin-du-Clocher, Souvigné, Taizé-Aizie, Theil-Rabier, Villefagnan, Villiers-le-Roux.

5. Link with the geographical area

The geographical area of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ corresponds to Haut-Poitou, a limestone plateau that extends to the edges of the Massif Central to the east, and to cereal- and vine-growing department of Charente to the south. The municipalities of the geographical area are mainly located east of the department of Deux-Sèvres, and west of the department of Vienne. To a lesser extent, some are located north of the department of Charente.

Haut-Poitou was formed by limestone sedimentation phases. The main soils in evidence are the result of alterations in the calcareous bedrock. The most common soil formation is ‘terres de groie’. It is a brown clay-limestone soil of varying depth. In the southern half of the geographical area, red soil known as ‘à châtaigniers’ [chestnut] can also be found. This is a deep, brown clay-loam soil formed from the decalcification of the limestone substrate.

The temperate climate is subject to oceanic influences although rainfall is lower than in other parts of the Atlantic seaboard. There is plentiful sunshine with water shortages in summer that vary significantly from year to year.

The ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ area therefore has a range of soils offering different agricultural possibilities, allowing for a crops to be varied in space and time by crop rotation. The natural environment is conducive to the production of quality fodder and cereals.

Historically, the region of Poitou was known for goat-rearing. Production of different types of goat’s cheese therefore made its mark culturally on Poitou very early on. Milk from goats was primarily intended for the production of fresh cheeses for daily household consumption. This production for own use was particularly widespread among the poorest peasants who lacked the land to raise cattle. Goat-rearing and cheese production were the preserve of women. The original pottery moulds for ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ were small which meant that cheese could be made with small amounts of milk.

The phylloxera outbreak in 1876 marked a turning point for local agriculture. Vines were abandoned in favour of livestock and dairy production, including cattle to make butter and goats. At that point, goat herds in Deux-Sèvres and Vienne developed considerably. As herd sizes exceeded family consumption needs, the excess cheeses produced by farms were matured and sold at local markets.

At the start of the twentieth century, production of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ received a boost with the development of dairy cooperatives. Initially specialising in the milking of cattle, the cooperative movement extended to milking goats in order to produce cheese. 31.7.2020 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 251/33

Today, goat’s milk is produced by holdings located among extensive areas of crops thus representing variety in land use. Livestock rearers and cereal growers can act in solidarity to make best use of land and to exchange food, cereals and fodder, especially lucerne. The mould used in making ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ is in the shape of a bung and bears the identity of the cheese with the inlay of the ‘CdP’ symbol. Producers use their special understanding of the truncated cone shape of the mould to manage the removal of the whey. Properly managed acidification, together with the three stages of draining, salting and drying are essential for correct syneresis and skin formation. This point is essential in cheese-making given the challenges of draining associated with the mould. ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ is in the shape of a small truncated cone known as a ‘bonde’. Patches of surface mould appear on the skin, which is sometimes slightly runny in places. The white paste is firm, the texture consistent and smooth. It has a mild but persistent flavour of goat’s cheese, with a hint of bitterness and salt and occasionally nutty notes. The climate of Haut Poitou is dryer than in other areas of the Seuil du Poitou, the broad limestone plateau located between the Armorican Massif and the Massif Central. That climate, together with the clay-limestone soils that developed as the bedrock evolved, contributed to the development of mixed crop and goat-rearing systems. Goat- rearing holdings exist among the vast areas of crops on arid lands on which goats are able to flourish. Goats are fed on a varied diet rich in fibre. This gives the milk its structure, in terms of the ratio of proteins to fats, along with a microbial ecosystem. The goats’ feed, with its significant amount of fodder and cereals, is the main source of primary yeast intake. The variety of the feed given to the goats, the quality of the fodder and supplements, and the regulation of feeding help to create the organoleptic characteristics of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’. The presence of ripening flora in the milk at an early stage, from the time of maturing, explains why there is sometimes a slightly runny consistency under the skin and also accounts for the smooth texture of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’. The very acidic curds provide support for the de-acidifying yeasts. These give rise to the presence of Geotrichum, patches of mould on the skin. The mould gives the cheese its characteristic appearance and mild but persistent flavour with its hint of bitterness and salt sometimes accompanied by nutty notes, especially hazelnut. The mould [vessel] used in making ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ gives the cheese its characteristic truncated cone shape, like a small bung for a barrel. This mould gives ‘Chabichou du Poitou’ its identity and represents a characteristic technology which determines its appearance and flavour. The minimum 10 days maturing and the refiners’ know- how in controlling temperatures allow the surface flora to develop and produce the organoleptic characteristics of ‘Chabichou du Poitou’.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-5e3ac3fc-de33-401d-a82c-b4528803ebef

ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition) ISSN 1725-2423 (paper edition)

Publications Office of the European Union 2985 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG EN