EN Official Journal of the European Union C 307/11

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2011/C 307/10

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ABENSBERGER SPARGEL’/‘ABENSBERGER QUALITÄTSSPARGEL’

EC No: DE-PGI-0005-0852-26.01.2011

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name:

‘Abensberger Spargel’/‘Abensberger Qualitätsspargel’

2. Member State or third country:

Germany

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1. Type of product:

Class 1.6. Vegetables

3.2. Description of product to which the name in (1) applies:

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a member of the lily family. The edible stalks of asparagus are the shoots of a perennial shrub which are put up for sale peeled or unpeeled. ‘Abensberger Spargel’ is produced according to the rules of good farming practice.

With the exception of what is sold by the producer directly to the consumer, Abensberger asparagus is prepared in accordance with UNECE Standard FFV04 (asparagus). However, this standard also applies to white and violet asparagus up to a minimum diameter of 5 mm. In addition, broken asparagus shoots may also be marketed under the ‘broken asparagus’ category.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only):

—

3.5. Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area:

Production of ‘Abensberger Spargel’, from growing to picking, must take place in the defined geographical area.

3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:

After harvesting, the cut asparagus must be rapidly chilled to preserve its quality. The stalks are cut to length and sorted expertly. They must then be stored at 1-2 °C in a place with a high level of humidity, but must not be stored in water. The cold chain must not be interrupted by the producer. Packaging, refrigeration and any sales premises must comply with health requirements.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:

‘Abensberger Qualitätsspargel’ must, when put up for sale, also be marked with the following logo:

4. Concise definition of the geographical area:

The geographical area covers, in particular, the ‘Sandgürtel’ (sand belt) between Siegenburg, Neustadt an der Donau, Abensberg and Langquaid, and is situated exclusively within the Kelheim rural district.

5. Link with the geographical area:

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:

A description by Maximilian Georg Kroiss of the economic activities of the Carmelite order states that asparagus was probably grown in the Abensberg region as early as 1730. The same article also contends that another historian, Angrüner, is wrong to assume that the first asparagus was not grown in Abensberg until around 1900. Kroiss also underlines the fact that even today Abensberg is famous for its asparagus.

Due to the optimum soil and climate the Abensberg region, i.e. the ‘Sandgürtel’ zwischen Siegenburg, Neustadt an der Donau, Abensberg and Langquaid, is an excellent asparagus-growing area. For example, the area’s average annual temperature of 9,8 °C and rainfall of 703 mm represent good climatic conditions for growing asparagus. According to the Bavarian soil atlas, the soils are mainly sandy.

There are 67 asparagus producers on a cultivated area of 312 hectares (2007 figures). The Abensberg region is one of Bavaria’s main asparagus producing areas. In addition, the local growers have constantly developed and improved their production techniques.

5.2. Specificity of the product:

‘Abensberger Spargel’ is very highly regarded by consumers and is renowned for its flavour by connoisseurs. It is a traditional Bavarian speciality and has therefore been included in the internet database maintained by the Bavarian agriculture ministry (http://www.food-from-bavaria.de). Alongside the name ‘Abensberger Spargel’, this product has also been marketed for the past 10 years under the collective trademark ‘Abensberger Qualitäts-Spargel’. The rules for awarding this collective trademark specify a high product quality.

That high quality means that consumers are prepared to pay a premium; indeed, the price of ‘Abensberger Spargel’ is even higher than that of the well-known ‘Schrobenhausener Spargel’.

‘Abensberger Spargel’ is also renowned because there is a cookbook specifically written for it, and because, each year, the ‘Asparagus Queen’ is chosen to represent this region’s speciality. The year 2007 marked the 75th anniversary of asparagus growing in Abensberg.

5.3. Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI):

The regional soil conditions and the know-how of the local growers are the main factors in the high quality of ‘Abensberger Spargel’ and the very high renown in which it is held by consumers.

Reference to publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

Markenblatt Vol. 19 of 14 May 2010, Part 7a-aa, p. 8178

http://www.register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/geo/detail.pdfdownload/13351

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.