The Director General for Innovation and Agri-food Promotion of the Government of Aragon, Carmen Urbanoannounced today at the Chamber of Commerce of Teruel that the Official Gazette of Aragon will publish on 12 May next the order awarding the transitional national protection for the Protected Geographical Indication "Cerdo de Teruel".. Transitional national protection will allow the marketing on the national market of meat under the PGI 'Cerdo de Teruel'.
"From the Government of Aragon we hope that this differentiated quality The new technology that Teruel pork is going to have will help to generate much more economy around this industry in the province, in Aragon and will give us much joy in the national market", said Carmen Urbano.
At the same time, the process is still underway for the label to be included in the European Union's register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.
Attributes of the PGI Pig of Teruel
The reputation of the Pig of Teruel derives from the excellent quality of the products covered by the Protected Designation of Origin".Teruel Ham"/"Paleta de Teruel", since livestock production under this PDO has had a direct impact on the rest of the meat carcass.
The geographical area of production (rearing, slaughtering and cutting of pigs) of the PGI Cerdo de Teruel is made up of the province of TeruelThe pig sector has a great weight in the agricultural sector, being an outstanding driving force in the province, supported by infrastructures, cooperatives, businessmen, livestock farmers and very dynamic industrialists.
The meat of "Cerdo de Teruel" is presented to the final consumer. always fresh, either cut, sliced or filleted, without having undergone any processing other than slicing.
The animals come exclusively from the crossbreeding of Landrace, Large White or crossbreeding of both as the maternal line with the Duroc breed as the paternal line.
Livestock feed is based mainly on cereals which, as far as possible, come from the province of Teruel or neighbouring provinces.
Carcases must weigh 86 kilograms or more when hot and have a backfat thickness of between 16 and 45 millimetres, measured in the lumbar region, at the level of the tip of the hind leg.
The genetics used and the management of the animals with production systems aimed at quality, by prolonging the fattening periods and with a proximity feedingThe higher warm carcass weight and meat with the fat infiltration These are the characteristics of 'Cerdo de Teruel', which have given it the corresponding reputation on the market.
A lengthy administrative procedure
At the end of 2015, the producers of the Protected Designation of Origin "Jamón de Teruel"/"Paleta de Teruel", in view of the growing demand and recognition of the meat obtained from the carcasses whose hind legs and shoulders were destined for the PDO "Jamón de Teruel"/"Paleta de Teruel", resumed the study of a quality figure, in principle a guarantee mark, which would provide added value to this fresh meat.
In 2017, it was decided to channel the work to obtain a Protected Geographical Indication and studies began on the typification of the product and the rest of the requirements necessary to obtain European protection through the registration of the PGI. During the years leading up to the final application, the various versions of the specifications were analysed and studied in order to achieve a correct description of the conditions of the typified and characteristic product of the pigs produced in Teruel, as well as the controls to be carried out during the production process and the link between this product and the environment in terms of its reputation and natural and human factors. In addition, the regulation and operation of its future management body.
In March 2019, the Asociación Profesional de Productores de Cerdo de Teruel (Professional Association of Teruel Pig Producers), promoter of the PGI.which submitted the final application for the PGI Cerdo de Teruel in October 2019. Once the application had been examined and the relevant checks had been carried out, the relevant notices were published in the Official Gazette of Aragon and the Official State Gazette establishing a period of two months in which any natural or legal person whose legitimate rights or interests they considered to be affected could object to the registration of the entry. This period was extended due to the exceptional circumstances caused by covid 19.
In September 2020, the BOA published the favourable decision order of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Environment for the registration in the Community register of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Cerdo de Teruel. The complete dossier was sent to the European Commission for study and processing through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
In March 2021, the European Commission notifies the points to be clarified, amended or deleted in the single document submitted. Following the resubmission of the document in May of the same year, the Commission's further comments are awaited for subsequent submission. publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities European Union. From the date of publication there will be three months for the authorities of a Member State or a third country, as well as any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established in a third country, to submit a notification of objection to the Commission (Art. 52 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012).
If no reasoned notification of objection admissible under Article 51 is received, the Commission shall enter the PGI in the Register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications. This publication shall normally take place within two months of the expiry of the objection period.
