Commission Regulation (EC) No 434/2008 of 20 May 2008 entering a designation in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Cordero de Navarra or Nafarroako Arkumea (PGI))

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⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 7(5) thereof,

Whereas:

1. In accordance with the Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, and pursuant to Article 17(2) of the same Regulation, Spain’s application to enter the designation ‘Cordero de Navarra’ or ‘Nafarroako Arkumea’ in the register was published in the Official Journal of the European Union⁽²⁾.

2. France has stated its opposition to this registration in accordance with Article 7(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. France indicated in particular in its statement of opposition that registration of the designation ‘Cordero de Navarra’ or ‘Nafarroako Arkumea’ would prejudice the existence of products legally on the market whose registration as a protected geographical indication, i.e. ‘Agneau de lait des Pyrénées’ has been undergoing examination by the French authorities since 2000. The geographical area covered by this request for registration includes the historical region of Basse Navarre, an area also known as ‘Navarre française’ (French Navarre).

3. By way of a letter dated 22 May 2007 the Commission invited the interested parties to hold appropriate consultations with each other.

4. Given that no agreement was reached between Spain and France within a time frame of six months, the Commission must adopt a decision in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. In the light of the information provided by France, the Commission cannot conclude that registration of ‘Cordero de Navarra’ or ‘Nafarroako Arkumea’ would harm the rights of producers of ‘Agneau de lait des Pyrénées’. It is impossible to tell from the statement of objection that the production of lamb in the historical area of Basse Navarre is marketed using the term ‘Navarre’.

5. In the light of this information, the designation ‘Cordero de Navarra’ or ‘Nafarroako Arkumea’ should be registered in accordance with Article 7(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006.

6. The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Protected Geographical Indications and Protected Designations of Origin,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: