Commission Regulation (EC) No 1215/2004

of 30 June 2004

amending the specification of a name appearing in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 on the registration of geographical indications and designations of origin (Scotch Beef)

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 foodstuffs1, and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)
Under Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, the United Kingdom authorities have requested amendments to the description and the method of production of ‘Scotch Beef’, registered as a protected designation of origin by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 of 12 June 1996 on the registration of geographical indications and designations of origin under the procedure laid down in Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/922.
(2)

Following examination of this request for amendment, it has been decided that the amendments concerned are not minor.

(3)

In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 and since the amendments are not minor, the Article 6 procedure applies mutatis mutandis.

(4)
It has been decided that the amendments in this case comply with Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92. No statement of objection within the meaning of Article 7 of the Regulation has been sent to the Commission following the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union 3 of the above amendments.
(5)

Consequently, these amendments must be registered and published in the Official Journal of the European Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The amendments set out in Annex I to this Regulation shall be registered and published in accordance with Article 6(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

A summary of the main points of the specification is given in Annex II to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 30 June 2004.

For the Commission

Franz Fischler

Member of the Commission

ANNEX ICouncil Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92

AMENDMENT TO THE SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (Article 9)No EC: UK/0274/25.1.1994

  • 1. Registered name

    PGI Scotch Beef

  • 2. Amendments(s) requested

    Specification heading:

    • Name

    • Description

    • Geographical area

    • Proof of origin

    • Method of production

    • Link

    • Labelling

    • National requirement

  • 3. Amendment(s)
    Description

    So as better to reflect current practice, take account of consumer concerns about more transparent labelling and improve the quality of Scotch Beef, the current description:

    ‘The product is derived from cattle finished, for a minimum period of three months, slaughtered and dressed in the designated area.’

    is hereby amended as follows:

    ‘The product is derived from cattle born, reared throughout their lives, slaughtered and dressed in the designated geographical area. The animals will have been produced and slaughtered in accordance with quality assurance schemes accredited to European Standard EN 45011 (ISO Guide 65) and having the same standards, assessments and assessment frequencies as those set by the applicant.’

    Method of production

    As a result of the amendment to the description described above it is necessary to amend the details of the method of production. In addition, when the original application was submitted, Scotch Beef was almost never sold frozen. While this practice is still not widespread, the applicant would like to remove the words ‘Only fresh or chilled product may be sold’ to allow Scotch Beef to be sold frozen if a processor so wishes.

    Accordingly, the current description:

    ‘Cattle are finished in Scotland for a period of not less than three months. They are slaughtered and dressed in accordance with the specifications. Only fresh or chilled product may be sold.’

    is hereby amended as follows:

    ‘Cattle are born and reared throughout their lives in the designated geographical area. The animals will have been produced and slaughtered in accordance with quality assurance schemes accredited to European Standard EN 45011 (ISO Guide 65) and having the same standards, assessments and assessment frequencies as those set by the applicant. They are slaughtered and dressed in the designated geographical area in accordance with the specifications.’

ANNEX II

SUMMARYCouncil Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92‘SCOTCH BEEF’No EC: UK/0274/25.1.1994PDO ( ) PGI (X)

This summary has been drawn up for information purposes only. For full details, in particular the producers of the products covered by the PDO or PGI concerned, please consult the complete version of the product specification obtainable at national level or from the European Commission4.
  • 1. Responsible department in the Member State
    • Name

      Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Food Chain Marketing and Competitiveness Division

    • Address

      Room 338

      Nobel House

      17 Smith Square

      London, SW1P 3JR

      United Kingdom

    • Tel.

      (44-207) 238 66 87

    • Fax

      (44-207) 238 57 28

    • e-mail

      rlf.feedback@defra.gsi.gov.uk

  • 2. Group
    1. 2.1.
      • Name

        Quality Meat Scotland

    2. 2.2.
      • Address

        Rural Centre

        West Mains

        Ingliston

        Newbridge

        Midlothian, EH28 8NZ

        United Kingdom

      • Tel.

        (44-131) 472 40 40

      • Fax

        (44-131) 472 40 38

      • e-mail

        info@qmscotland.co.uk

    3. 2.3.
      • Composition

        producers (8 969), processors (32), other (310).

  • 3. Type of product

    Group 1.1 Fresh meat (and offal)

  • 4. Specification

    (summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

    • 4.1. Name

      ‘Scotch Beef’

    • 4.2. Description

      The product is derived from cattle born, reared for the entirety of their lives, slaughtered and dressed in the designated geographical area. The animals will have been produced and slaughtered in accordance with quality assurance schemes accredited to European Standard EN 45011 (ISO Guide 65) and having the same standards, assessments and assessment frequencies as those set by the applicant.

    • 4.3. Geographical area

      The area is defined as the mainland of Scotland, including the islands off the west coast, Orkney and Shetland.

    • 4.4. Proof of origin

      Since the 19th century Scotch beef has been renowned for its consistently superior qualities due to traditional feeding systems and it has established a high reputation in the UK meat market and beyond.

    • 4.5. Method of production

      Cattle are born and reared throughout their lives in the designated geographical area. The animals will have been produced and slaughtered in accordance with quality assurance schemes accredited to European Standard EN 45011 (ISO Guide 65) and having the same standards, assessments and assessment frequencies as those set by the applicant. They are slaughtered and dressed in the designated geographical area in accordance with the specifications.

    • 4.6. Link

      Scotch beef has a quality and characteristics arising from extensive grazing on the characteristic pastures of Scotland.

    • 4.7. Inspection body
      • Name

        Scottish Food Quality Certification

      • Address

        Royal Highland Centre

        10th Avenue

        Ingliston

        Edinburgh, EH28 8NF

        United Kingdom

      • Tel.

        (44-131) 335 66 15

      • Fax

        (44-131) 335 66 01

      • e-mail

        enquiries@sfqc.co.uk

    • 4.8. Labelling

      PGI

    • 4.9. National requirements

      —