No C 24/ 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 24 . 1 . 97

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

(97/C 24/08 )

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned Regulation . Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the Member State concerned within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication . The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 5 (f), and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081 /92 .

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC ) No 2081 /92

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION : ARTICLE 5

PDO ( ) PGI (x) National application : 71 /96

1 . Responsible department in the Member State :

Name : Instituto dos Mercados Agrícolas e Indústria Agro-Alimentar, Lisbon, . Tel.: (01 ) 387 63 72 ; Fax : (01 ) 387 66 35 .

2 . Applicant group :

(a) Name : Natur-al-Carnes , Agrupamento de Produtores Pecuários do Norte , SA (b) Address : Parque de Leilões de Gado de Portalegre, Estrada Nacional 246, P-7300 Portalegre Tel . (045) 33 10 64/262 27 . (c) Composition : producer/processor (x) other ( ).

3 . Name of product : Morcela de Assar de Portalegre .

4 . Type of product : Group 1.2 — Meat-based product. Smoked sausage .

5 . Specification (summary of requirements under Article 4 (2 )):

(a) Name : Morcela de Assar de Portalegre — Geographical indication

(b) Description : Smoked sausage, consisting mainly of fats (from the head, neck, belly and back fat) and pig's blood from pigs of the Alentejo breed, with the addition of salt, ground dried ungerminated garlic, cumin , sweet pepper and , occasionally, wine from the Portalegre region . The casing may be made from the small or large intestine of pigs only. The sausage is 40 cm long, horseshoe-shaped, individually made, with a cotton string tied or twisted around the ends . It is black, shiny, of a firm consistency, with an unbroken skin adhering closely to the meat . Its diameter varies between 20 and 45 mm . Its cross-section reveals a homogenous mass, perfectly bound, dry and black . Its faste is distinctive, with a predominant flavour of garlic and slightly smoky . Its fat is shiny, pinkish white , aromatic and has a pleasant flavour. Its consistency varies depending on the feed and the percentage of acorns in the pigs' diet . 24 . 1 . 97 I EN J Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24/ 15

(c) Geographical area : Given the organoleptic characteristics of the product, the soil and climatic conditions required and the local, fair and consistent methods used, the geographical area of manufacture is naturally confined to the municipalities of Alter do Chão, , Avis, Campo Maior, , Crato, , Fronteira, Gavião, Marvao , Monforte, Nisa , , Portalegre and , in the district of Portalegre . (d ) Proof of origin : Morcelas de Assar de Portalegre may only be produced in approved premises in the geographical processing area mentioned . The raw material is derived from pigs of the Alentejo breed , raised in the open air, under extensive or semi­ extensive conditions, in an agroforestry system (basic feed being grass and acorns ) in the oak forests of the . A system of monitoring is in place which ensures control of the entire production process . As early as 1750 reference was made to these products , attesting to the reputation enjoyed by the pork products produced in the Port­ alegre area . (e) Method of production : The soft fats, obtained in cutting the carcases of Alentejo pigs reared in the conditions described, together with the blood of Alentejo pigs , are subjected to a process of traditional cutting ('miga'), mixing of blood, seasoning, stuffing and smoking in the course of which they acquire the presentation, colour, flavour and smell characteristic of Morcelas de Assar de Portalegre . The processing is carried out in a natural environment in accordance with local, fair and consistent practice . (f) Link : The region of Portalegre is characterised by its particular micro-climate, creating special conditions for the production of sausage products (cold, dry winters). Given the readily available supply of Alentejo pigmeat, based on the special features of the diet of these animals, the people of Portalegre have developed special ways of preserving the meat so as to enhance its particular flavour whether by a simple form of spicing using regional products or smoking using local wood . The Morcela de Assar de Portalegre has its own characteristics of presentation, taste and aroma which link it unmistakably to the region of Portalegre . (g) Inspection body:

Name : AADP — Associação de Agricultores de Distrito de Portalegre .

Address : Parque de Leilões de Gado, ap . 269 , P-7301 Portalegre . (h) Labelling -. Obligatory marking : Morcela de Assar de Portalegre — Indicação Geográfica . Placing of control mark with number . Specimens of the label and mark are held by the Register of Specialities . ( i ) National requirements (if any): Decree No 16/96 , published in DR No 94 , series II, of 20 . 4 . 1996 . This lays down the main production rules and characteristics of Morcela de Assar de Portalegre as well as stipulating the geographical area of manufacture .

EC No : G/PT/0002 1 /96.05.02 . Date of receipt of the full application : 2 . 5 . 1996 .