Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/80 of 13 January 2016 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) (PGI))

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs ¹, and in particular Article 52(3)(b) thereof,

Whereas:

• (1) Pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, the application from Greece to register the name ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union ².

• (2) On 26 June 2014, the Commission received a notice of opposition from Izmir Commodity Exchange (Turkey). This notice of opposition was followed by a reasoned statement of opposition sent by letter of 26 August 2014.

• (3) The Commission examined the opposition and found it admissible within the meaning of Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. By letter of 26 September 2014, it therefore, invited the interested parties to engage in appropriate consultations to seek agreement among themselves in accordance with their internal procedures.

• (4) No agreement was reached between the parties within the time limit.

• (5) Given that no agreement was reached, the Commission should adopt a decision in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 52(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

• (6) The opponent claims that the application does not comply with the conditions laid down in Articles 5, 6(3), 6(4) and 7(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. In the opinion of the opponent, the characteristics of the product are not distinctive, since climate and soil conditions, which are a determinant element for the product's quality, are the same as in Turkey. Furthermore, the words ‘sultan’ and ‘sultaniye’ have their etymological origin in Turkey (i.e. in Anatolia). ‘Soultanina’ would, therefore, be attributable to Turkey. Besides, a product named ‘Aegean Sultana’, similar to ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) is claimed to have been registered as Protected Designation of Origin in Turkey and to have become a trade mark. The presence of the term ‘Soultanina’ in the Greek name would accordingly pose a threat to the Turkish registered name, create unfair competition and mislead the consumers. The term ‘Soultanina’ is finally homonymous with a name already in the register and therefore may not be registered. The application therefore should be rejected overall.

• (7) Despite the abovementioned allegations submitted by the opponent, the PGI ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) should be registered for the following reasons.

• (8) It is not disputed that the name originates in Anatolia. However, since ‘Soultanina’ has become admittedly the name of a vine variety which is cultivated in many countries, it is no longer linked to the place of origin. It may, therefore, legally refer to a product that does not originate from Anatolia. ‘Soultanina’ was already classified as a vine variety under Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3800/81 ³, now repealed. In the currently applicable legal framework, ‘Soultanina’ was notified as a wine grape variety under Article 63(1), point (d), of Commission Regulation (EC) No 607/2009 ⁴.

• (9) As regards the specific characteristics of ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) (PGI), the single document correctly and exhaustively describes the link between the specific qualities of the product and the geographical area. It is characterised by high sugar content (minimum 75 %) and low moisture content (maximum 16 %). The calcareous soils of Crete give plants that produce very good quality fruit, as it contains more sugar. The low rainfall and long hours of sunshine in July-August, when the grapes are ripening, has a favourable impact on sugar concentration. Rain during this period leads to dilution of the sugars in the grapes, which affects their quality. The hot, dry conditions and the practice of dipping the grapes in an alkaline solution before they are dried result in rapid loss of water and a simultaneous increase in sugars, so the darkening stops and the sultanas acquire their characteristic colour. Izmir Commodity Exchange has not given a valid reasoning to challenge these statements.

• (10) Turkey's product ‘Aegean Sultanas’ is not a PDO registered according to the EU law. It has no specific protection under Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. In particular, it cannot be considered liable to prevent the registration of a homonymous name under Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012. In any event, ‘Soultanina’ is not the name of a product which is homonymous with ‘Aegean Sultanas’.

• (11) The name ‘Soultanina’ in itself is not likely to mislead consumers on the origin of the product since it is commonly known as a vine variety which can be cultivated worldwide. In addition, in this specific case, the name ‘Soultanina’ is accompanied by a geographical term (‘Kritis’) which eliminates any hypothetical doubt on the origin of the product.

• (12) Notwithstanding the protection granted to ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis), the name ‘Soultanina’ may continue to be used within the territory of the Union, provided the principles and rules applicable in its legal order are respected.

• (13) The opposition does not refer the exact references of the alleged registered trade mark. No mention is made of a trade mark registered by Turkey in the EU territory.

• (14) For the abovementioned reasons it is to conclude that the name ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) (PGI) should be entered in the register of Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications.

• (15) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Agricultural Product Quality Policy Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The name ‘Σταφίδα Σουλτανίνα Κρήτης’ (Stafida Soultanina Kritis) (PGI) is registered.

The name in the first paragraph identifies a product from Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals fresh or processed set out in Annex XI to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 668/2014 ⁵.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth 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, 13 January 2016.

For the Commission

The President

Jean-Claude JUNCKER