ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 358 Volume 42 of the European Communities 10 December 1999 English edition Information and Notices Notice No Contents Page I Information Commission 1999/C 358/01 Euro exchange rates ................................................................. 1 1999/C 358/02 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 2 1999/C 358/03 Initiation of proceedings (Case COMP/M.1636 MMS/DASA Astrium) (1) ......... 7 1999/C 358/04 Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.1761 Toyota Motor/Toyota France) (1) ........................................................................... 7 Notice to readers (see page 3 of the cover) EN 1 (1) Text with EEA relevance 10.12.1999EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 358/1 I (Information) COMMISSION Euro exchange rates (1) 9 December 1999 (1999/C 358/01) 1 euro = 7,4392 Danish krone = 328,85 Greek drachma = 8,57 Swedish krona = 0,6261 Pound sterling = 1,0175 United States dollar = 1,5046 Canadian dollar = 104,4 Japanese yen = 1,5991 Swiss franc = 8,1065 Norwegian krone = 73,6346 Icelandic króna (2) = 1,5901 Australian dollar = 2,0026 New Zealand dollar = 6,25661 South African rand (2) (1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB. (2) Source: Commission. C 358/2EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10.12.1999 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 (1999/C 358/02) This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in the Member State concerned within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92. COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION: ARTICLE 5 PDO (x) PGI ( ) National application No: 2/99 1. Responsible department in the Member State: Name: Ministero per le Politiche Agricole Direzione generale delle Politiche agricole ed agroindus- triali nazionali ex Div. VI Address: Via XX Settembre, 20 I-00187 Roma Tel.: (34 064) 665 51 04 Fax: (34 064) 201 31 26 2. Applicant group: 2.1. Name: A.PROL (Associazione produttori olivicoli) 2.2. Address: Via di S. Giuliano, 4 Villaggio Artigiani I-71100 Foggia 2.3. Composition: producer/processor (x) other ( ) 3. Type of product: black and green olives in brine Classe 1.6 4. Specification: (summary of requirements under Art. 4 (2)) 4.1. Name: La Bella della Daunia 4.2. Description: The name is without doubt related to the characteristic shape of the drupe, which looks much like a plum. The cultivar is partly self-compatible, the following being regarded as pollinators: Sant' Agostino, Biancolilla, Termite di Bitetto and Mele. Fruit setting is around 0,20 % 0,40 %. The fruit of this variety is well known on account of its size, pleasant appearance, flesh texture and volume, and ability to withstand handling and storage. It is mainly processed when green; in response to strong consumer demande, however, black and ripe olives have recently begun to be processed. The product's characteristics depend grealty on when harvesting takes place, which must be undertaken when the epicarp begins to turn a greenish straw-yellow colour, normally after 1 October. The requirements of the producer, the processing industry and the consumer are then all met. At this point the average number of fruit per kg is 80 to 90 olives; the average weight of the drupe is over 11 g, reaching a maximum 18 g. The yield in terms of flesh is about 85 %. 10.12.1999EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 358/3 Green olives: fat content < 15 %, reducing sugars > 2,8 %;black olives: black olives < 18 %, reducing sugars > 2,4 %. Recent research indicates that the Bella della Daunia originates from the Oliva di Cerignola, a polyclonal cv with a wide range of distinctive characteristics, depending on the strength of the genetic matrix, pedoclimatic factors, the rootstock and devel- opments in growing techniques. From this original variety found in the Daunia area (now called the Tavoliere di Capitanata) a better clone with genetic similarities to the original cv but with superior commercial properties was produced as a result of a natural genetic mutation and constant, careful clonal selection by local growers and nurseries. The new cultivar was named Bella di Cerignola, and is registered under No 15 in the Italian Olive-growing Register. 4.3. Geographical area: The municipalities of Cerignola Orta Nova, S. Ferdinando di Puglia, Stornara, Stornarella, Trinitapoli (FG) are all part of the Tavoliere della Puglia, a large area consisting mainly of a central expanse and two extensive strips of differing shape and size to the north and south. The above municipalities are located in the central area, towards the coastal zone. This zone slopes gently and evenly down to the sea at the area's eastern end. Average height above sea level is about 100 to 150 m, although the Tavoliere della Puglia should be thought of as one of the Italian coastal plains. The slope is 7 to 8 . The water table level is at a depth of 25 to 50 m, depending on the area. Confined groundwater is also present at various depths, depending on the area, but flows are already good at depths of 60 to 70 m. Area: Cerignola 58 965 ha, Orta Nova 14 393 ha, San Ferdinando di Puglia 4 181 ha, Stornara 3 364 ha, Stornarella 3 388 ha, Trinitapoli 14 755 ha. Total: 99 046 ha. The area demarcated by the La Bella della Daunia PDO is about 30 % smaller, given that areas have been removed whose pedoclimatic features are not suited to table olive growing. The area under cultivation is currently about 850 ha and a further 180 ha were recently planted with European Union assistance. 4.4. Proof of origin: The Oliva di Cerignola cv, also known as the Oliva di Spagna, has been grown for domestic rather than for commercial purposes since time immemorial. Some researchers believe that the olive was introduced in about 1400 and spread to a varying extent through the area covered by the specification, except where conditions were right for more valuable crops. Some authors believe that this cultivar derives from the Orchites olives of the Ancient Romans, others believe it came from Spain, but it is, in any event, considered a native variety. The production and marketing of this table olive has always been an important activity for Cerignola, a municipality in the Centre-South. All operators, from the earliest times to the present day, have willingly gone to great efforts to increase the presence of this table variety on the domestic and international markets. The pickled olives were even sent to the Americas, in Vascidd wooden barrels holding 50 to 100 kg, or more often in Cugnett characteristic wooden containers in the shape of a truncated cone holding 50 to 10 kg for small-scale, almost domestic or family requirements but which had great advertising appeal. The product was also introduced in California in 1925 by Italian immigrants. A typical element of the Mediterranean diet, it can be used as an accompaniment, a course in its own right or a snack with aperitifs; it is ideal for immediate consumption. Medically the presence of mono-unsaturated fatty acids is considered to play an important role in preventing arteriosclerosis. In addition to its pleasant taste, immediate consumption without prior cooking and the length of conservation all make this olive ideal for various quick and tasty preparations ranging from snacks to appetisers, as an additional ingredient in main courses and in cooked or uncooked dressings, or as an accompaniment for meat and cheese. The conservation methods used ensure that the high hygiene and food standards offered by modern technology can be achieved while maintaining the product's traditional organoleptic characteristics. C 358/4EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10.12.1999 Among the table olive cultivars grown in Italy, the Bella di Cerignola cv, formerly known as the Oliva di Spagna or Oliva di Cerignola, or Grossa di Spagna, has a pre-eminent place. Much discussion has taken place as to whether this variety was introduced from Spain before 1400 or thereabouts, durcing Aragonese rule, but it has never been found among the native cultivars of the Iberian Peninsula, and so can be considered a native variety here. In 1930 it was selected by a technical committee set up to identify the best Italian table olive cultivars for the production of green olives. In the Daunia area this table variety has, together with the varieties for olive oil, always been considered by our ancestors as an important source of wealth and survival. They had great faith in these table olives and their amenability, unpretentiousness and longevity and, where possible, grew the table varieties on the best land, relegating the oil varieties to less suitable and often difficult and stony ground, thus providing work and food and ensuring the protection of the environment. This huge olive-growing heritage, which has continued to expand, demonstrates the economic and social importance of this olive in the Capitanata area. Underpinning cultivation of the Bella di Daunia olive could improve table olive cultivation, which is a cornerstone of the economy of the municipalities demarcated by the PDO specifications.