‘Korczyń bean’ — Application to register a geographical indication for an agricultural product or foodstuff
15.1.2009
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0228/09
by Urszula Gacek (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission
The Korczyń bean can be grown in the territory of five municipalities: Nowy Korczyn, Wiślica, Opatowiec, Solec Zdrój and Pacanów. This area lies in the south of the Niecka Nidziańska macroregion and on the Nadwiślańska plain along the Nida river. Beans have been grown in the Nowy Korczyń area for a very long time. Production of beans in the Korczyń region developed most rapidly towards the end of the 1950s when the Nida river flooded. The success of the Korczyń bean is also confirmed by the fact that specific new methods of cultivation (for example, sowing before 8 May) and harvesting (special dryers, for example) were introduced, and that various beliefs associated with the bean emerged.
According to information from the Polish Agriculture Ministry of 4 June 2007, the application to register the ‘Korczyń bean’ as a protected geographical indication was sent to the Commission by decision of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on 1 June 2007 in accordance with the Act of 17 December 2004 on the registration and protection of geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs and on traditional products.
The award of a protected geographical indication will make this product more competitive and will help to protect the traditions and cultural heritage of the Świętokrzyska region.
As MEP for the Świętokrzyska region, and given the above, I should like to enquire:
- —What stage has been reached in the processing of the above application?
- —When the Commission expects to take a decision on the matter?
- —Why the application to register the Korczyń bean has been waiting for a decision from the Commission for over a year and a half?
OJ C 189, 13/07/2010