Public consultation concerning the application for the protection of the product name “Ġbejna” as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

Published 15th February 2019

It is hereby being notified that an application for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) as defined by EU Regulation no. 1151 of 2012 on Quality Schemes for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs was received by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA). The relevant details of the dossier and further information is given below:

Applicant: Xirka Produtturi Nagħaġ u Moġħoż

for the following terms (in italics): ‘Ġbejna’; (plural = ‘Ġbejniet’) for PDO status in the Class 1.3. Cheeses

Brief description of the product to which the terms above apply:

The ‘Ġbejna’ is a fresh cheese produced with whole raw milk from sheep of the ‘Maltese’ breed and its crosses, and that are registered in the Maltese archipelago islands, including Malta, Gozo and Comino.

The ‘Ġbejna’ can be sold fresh (‘Ġbejna friska’), air-dried (‘Ġbejna niexfa’) or pickled and peppered (‘Ġbejna tal-bżar’).

The MCCAA is hereby publishing the said application for consultation. Any interested party may object to the application in writing by means of a formal letter addressed to the Director General, Technical Regulations Division, stating also the nature of their interest, within two months from the date of this notice. Any objections received after the end of the said period of two months will not be considered.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the MCCAA via email: consultations.mccaa@mccaa.org.mt

Closing date for consultation is Monday 15 April 2019 (COB)

The Consultation documents including the ‘Single Document’ and full product specification can be found under Foodstuffs' page. 

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The Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government has launched a public consultation on a proposed Bill to amend the Code of Organisation and Civil Procedure Cap. 12, Competition Act Cap. 379, the Consumer Affairs Act Cap. 378 and other laws.

Background: 

On the 23rd May 2011, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Act entered into force amending the Competition Act and Consumer Affairs Act to introduce amongst others administrative proceedings.

On the 3rd May 2016, the Constitutional Court delivered a judgement in the names, Federated of Estate Agents v Direttur Ġenerali (Kompetizzjoni) et, where it concluded that the competition proceedings as currently found in the Competition Act involved a criminal charge and should therefore comply with Article 39(1) of the Constitution.

The proposed Bill aims to address the considerations made by the Constitutional Court. The Consultation Document and the proposed Bill is available in both Maltese and English. 

Any contribution/feedback from interested parties may be sent via email to publicconsultation.mccaa@mccaa.org.mt

Or by post to Public Consultation, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, Mizzi House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda ĦMR 9010   

Closing date for consultation is Friday 28th September 2018 (EOB)