The EU Official Journal on 15 July advertised the European Commission's Implementing Regulation of 1 July entering the names Ekstra djevicansko maslinovo ulje Cres and Neretvanska mandarina in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.
The procedure to protect the olive oil began in July 2009 after an application was received by the ministry from the 'Ulika' agro-tourism association which the ministry passed on to the European Commission in 2014.
The production and processing of olives and the bottling of Ekstra djevicansko maslinovo ulje Cres is limited to the island of Cres and the oil is obtained directly from olives, 90% of which must be of a specific species while the remaining 10% may be other olive species. A specific feature of Cres grown olives is that olive groves on the island are cultivated with the help of sheep grazing, which prevents unwanted weeds from spreading and contributes to preserving dampness of the soil.
The procedure for 'Neretvanske mandarine' began in May 2013 and was submitted to the EU in 2014.
Neretva mandarins are grown in a specific geographical area in the vicinity of the towns of Metkovic, Opuzen and Ploce as well as Slivno, Kula Norinska and Zazablje in Croatia's southern coastal hinterland.
The Ministry of Agriculture recalled that the registration of Baranja kulen (thick sausage) and potatoes from the central region of Lika had been requested as had the registration of Istrian prosciutto and Varazdin cabbage, and that objections for these applications are pending. The period for objections for Ogulin sauerkraut expired on July 10 and its registration is expected soon, which also applies to the other products if no objections are lodged in the meantime, the ministry reported.