Question for written answer

Subject: Registering Istrian pršut

Pursuant to rules laid down by the Commission, all products that are protected in accordance with national rules must be brought into line with EU standards one year after the date of that country’s full accession to the European Union at the latest. Istrian pršut is the first native agricultural food product in Croatia to be protected by a designation of origin in line with EU standards. In order to be classified as Istrian pršut, all products must fulfil three criteria: the meat must have been raised in Istria, dried in Istria and prepared in accordance with traditional methods. The country in which pršut is produced is less crucial than the territory in which it is produced, which makes Istrian pršut an absolutely unique product. It is important to stress that 89% of the territory of the Istrian peninsula is located within Croatia, which is perhaps an argument in favour of Croatia’s cause. Does the Commission consider Slovenia’s objection to be groundless, given that Istrian pršut is an absolutely native Croatian product which is not produced in the same way anywhere else in the world — including in Slovenia?