Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs^f1, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 7(4) thereof,

Whereas:

In accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 9(1) and in application of Article 17(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, the Commission has examined France’s application for the approval of amendments to the specification of the protected designation of origin ‘Picodon de l’Ardèche ou Picodon de la Drôme’ registered on the basis of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96^f2.

The application for an amendment includes, among other things, amendment of the name of ‘Picodon de l’Ardèche ou Picodon de la Drôme’, which now becomes ‘Picodon’. This is a traditional name which, in accordance with Article 2(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, is considered a designation of origin fulfilling the same conditions as those for a protected designation of origin. The name ‘Picodon’ is the shortened common form, traditionally used in trade and in normal speech to identify the product obtained in accordance with the specification.

The amendments made also provide more detail as regards the definition and practices used by the producers when manufacturing the product. The formal inclusion in the specification is intended to protect the designation from potential abuse and to make it more distinctive by strengthening the link to its origin. Lastly, the name of the national Decree protecting the designation has been updated.

Since the amendments in question are not minor within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, the Commission published the amendment application in the Official Journal of the European Union ^f3, as required by the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of that Regulation. As no statement of objection in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been sent to the Commission, the amendments should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: