Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs^f1, and in particular Article 7(5)(a) and the first indent of Article 6(4) thereof,

Whereas:

In accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, Italy forwarded to the Commission an application for the registration of the name ‘Lardo di Colonnata’ as a geographical indication.

In accordance with Article 6(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, the application has been found to meet all the requirements laid down therein and in particular to contain all the information required in accordance with Article 4 thereof.

Spain sent the Commission a statement of objection in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 following the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union ^f2 of the main elements relating to the application for registration.

The objection related to non-compliance with the conditions referred to in Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 and was admissible in accordance with Article 7(4) of that Regulation. Pursuant to a complaint from an exporter of fresh meat, Spain contested the method used to define the geographical area of production of the raw material used to produce ‘Lardo di Colonnata’ and the geographical area of processing.

By letter of 29 January 2004, the Commission asked the Member States concerned to seek agreement among themselves in accordance with their internal procedures. Italy explained the method used to define the geographical areas of production of the raw material and of processing in more detail, and Spain subsequently agreed to the registration.

Further information has been added to the summary of the product specifications for the indication in question, in particular to paragraph 4(3) on the geographical area.

The name ‘Lardo di Colonnata’ should therefore be entered in the Register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications and hence be protected throughout the Community as a geographical indication.

The Annex to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2400/96^f3, should therefore be supplemented accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: