EN Official Journal of the European Union C 135/22

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

(2007/C 135/09)

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 from the date of this publication.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘SALATE VON DER INSEL REICHENAU’

EC No: DE/PGI/005/0317/27.10.2003

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name: Bundesministerium der Justiz Address: D-11015 Berlin Tel. (49-30) 20 25 70 Fax (49-30) 20 25 95 25 E-mail: poststelle@bmj.bund.de

2. Group:

Name: Reichenau-Gemüse eG Address: Marktstraße 1 D-78479 Insel Reichenau Tel. (49-7534) 920 00 Fax (49-7534) 92 0020 E-mail: info@reichenaugemuese.de Composition: Producers/processors ( X ) Other: ( )

3. Type of product:

Class 1.6: Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

4. Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

4.1 Name: ‘Salate von der Insel Reichenau’

4.2 Description: Salate von der Insel Reichenau are lettuces which come from the island of Reichenau in Lake Constance. The lettuce assortment consists of the varieties Lactuca sativa (L.) var. capitata (cabbage lettuce, batavian lettuce, iceberg, Novita) and Lactuca sativa (L.) var. crispa (Lollo rosso, Lollo Bionda, oakleaf). The lettuces are grown exclusively using the cultivation methods of Reichenau. They owe their special characteristics to the geographical conditions, but also to human influence.

4.3 Geographical area: The island of Reichenau in Lake Constance, Germany.

4.4 Proof of origin: All packages are labelled with batch numbers as part of the IMS certification for Reichenau Gemüse e.G. This batch number identifies the production holding. All holdings are located on the island of Reichenau and only cultivate land on the island. Land management is documented using the hydrographic chart. This traceability system irrefutably links the product with the geographical area.

4.5 Method of production: Salate von der Insel Reichenau are produced in accordance with the Richtlinien für den integrierten und kontrollierten Anbau von Gemüse in Baden-Württemberg zur Verwendung des Qualitätszeichens Baden-Württemberg ‘Gesicherte Qualität mit Herkunftsangabe’ (Guidelines on the integrated and controlled cultivation of vegetables in Baden-Württemberg for the purposes of using the Baden-Württemberg origin and quality label). This means that the use of fertilisers and plant protection products is kept to a minimum. The soil is carefully cultivated and kept healthy. Weeds are controlled largely by hoeing, steaming or flaming, i.e. they are mechanically controlled. The soil is analysed each year to optimise fertiliser use. Beneficial insects are used in the glasshouses to combat pests. On the island of Reichenau lettuces grown under cover (under glass or sheeting) are harvested from February to May. A second harvesting period for lettuces grown under cover takes place in October, November and December. The first lettuces grown outdoors under plastic sheeting or unwoven fabric are harvested from April/May onwards. The season ends with the first night frosts in the autumn (September/October). The lettuces are harvested mainly in the early hours of the morning. The entire harvest, right down to palletising, is carried out purely by hand. The garden-fresh lettuces are usually sold wholesale unbagged; individual heads of lettuce are bagged only at the express wish of clients. This stage of work is also carried out by hand in the field. All lettuces are washed before being delivered to wholesalers.

4.6 Link:

— Natural link: The island of Reichenau is virtually made for growing vegetables. Positioned as it is in Lake Constance, the island is distinguished from other vegetable-growing regions by its special geographical and climatic conditions (humidity, warmth, light) and hence meets the natural growing conditions for leaf lettuces, which require relatively warm temperatures, particularly well. As a large body of water, Lake Constance ensures sufficient humidity all year round. The reflection of light on the water's surface produces high-intensity light emissions for the products. Lake Constance also acts as a kind of thermal energy store. The humidity, heat and light reflection factors all have a positive impact on the climate, producing favourable growing conditions. Growers make use of these positive climatic conditions with their special knowledge of growing in glasshouses/plastic tunnels and outdoors under plastic sheeting. The leaf lettuces are specially and entirely grown in soil using thermal soil treatment without chemicals.

— Reputation: The above natural and human influences impact so positively on growth, the early harvest period and the natural quality of the products that Salate von der Insel Reichenau are renowned even beyond the region. A trade and consumer survey carried out in 2000 shows that consumers associate the island of Reichenau with horticulture (the island is also called the ‘Gemüseinsel’ — vegetable island), and have particularly positive opinions of the freshness, appearance and origins of the products. Salate von der Insel Reichenau are products of traditional horticulture going back to the monastery culture on the island of Reichenau. Abbot Walafrid Strabo launched the island of Reichenau's market-garden tradition in AD 840 with the description of his garden ‘De cultura hortorum’, known as ‘Hortulus’. Lettuce-growing on the island of Reichenau is first documented in 1895 (1 ha) (see H. Glönkler, ‘Vom Weinbau zum Gemüsebau’ (from winegrowing to vegetables), 1991, p. 60); by 1932 it had already increased to 20 ha (Glönkler, p. 70). Now leaf lettuces are grown under cover on around 30 ha and outside on around 50 ha.

4.7 Inspection body:

Name: Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe, Referat 34 Address: D-76247 Karlsruhe Tel. (49-721) 926 37 06 Fax (49-721) 37 05 46 E-mail: abteilung3@rpk.bwl.de

4.8 Labelling: Salate von der Insel Reichenau g.g.A.

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