Publication of an application for approval of an amendment, which is not minor, to a product specification pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2021/C 102/07)

This publication confers the right to oppose the amendment application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS WHICH IS NOT MINOR

Application for approval of an amendment in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 53(2), of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

‘Asparago di Badoere’

EU No: PGI-IT-0495-AM01 – 25.11.2019

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1. Applicant group and legitimate interest

Consorzio dell’Asparago di Badoere [‘Asparago di Badoere’ Association]

Registered office and headquarters: Municipio di Morgano, Piazza Indipendenza, 2

31050 Badoere di Morgano (TV), Italy; tel. +39 3282143228.

Email address: info@asparagodibadoere.it

www.asparagodibadoere.it

The ‘Asparago di Badoere’ Association is entitled to submit an amendment application pursuant to Article 13(1) of Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy Decree No 12511 of 14 October 2013.

2. Member State or third country

Italy

3. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

☐ Name of product

☒ Description of product

☐ Geographical area

☐ Proof of origin

☒ Method of production

☐ Link

☒ Labelling

☒ Other: editorial revisions, compliance checks, updating of references to legislation

4. Type of amendment(s)

☒ Amendment to product specification of a registered PDO or PGI not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

☐ Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI for which a Single Document (or equivalent) has not been published not to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

5. Amendment(s)

Description of the product

1. Article 2 of the current product specification ‘“Asparago di Badoere” consists of asparagus spears grown from plants of the Liliaceae family (white varieties “Dariana”, “Thielim”, “Zeno”, “Avalim” or “Grolim” or green varieties “Eros”, “Thielim”, “Grolim”, “Dariana” or “Avalim” of the species officinalis from the genus Asparagus).’ has been amended and expanded to read as follows: ‘“Asparago di Badoere” consists of asparagus spears grown from plants of the Liliaceae family (white varieties “Thielim”, “Zeno”, “Grolim”, “Cumulus”, “Darzilla”, “Hercolim”, “Marco”, “Vittorio” or “Giove” or green varieties “Eros”, “Thielim”, “Grolim”, “Cumulus”, “Magnus”, “Giove” or “Vittorio” of the species Officinalis from the genus Asparagus). Other asparagus cultivars resulting from varietal research can be used provided that there is experimental and bibliographic evidence that the production method and characteristics of “Asparago di Badoere” PGI are respected. The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy must be notified before any such cultivar is used to produce “Asparago di Badoere” PGI.’ Point 4.2 of the summary: ‘“Asparago di Badoere” consists of asparagus spears grown from plants of the Liliaceae family (white varieties “Dariana”, “Thielim”, “Zeno”, “Avalim” or “Grolim” or green varieties “Eros”, “Thielim”, “Grolim” or “Dariana” of the species Officinalis from the genus Asparagus).’ has been amended to read: ‘“Asparago di Badoere” consists of asparagus spears grown from plants of the Liliaceae family (white varieties “Thielim”, “Zeno”, “Grolim”, “Cumulus”, “Darzilla”, “Hercolim”, “Marco”, “Vittorio” or “Giove” or green varieties “Eros”, “Thielim”, “Grolim”, “Cumulus”, “Magnus”, “Giove” or “Vittorio” of the species Officinalis from the genus Asparagus). Other asparagus cultivars resulting from varietal research can be used provided that there is experimental and bibliographic evidence that the production method and characteristics of “Asparago di Badoere” PGI are respected. The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy must be notified before any such cultivar is used to produce “Asparago di Badoere” PGI.’ The list of varieties that can be used to produce ‘Asparago di Badoere’ has been updated. Varieties that are no longer used due to scarcity or because they have become agronomically obsolete over the years have been deleted. New varieties have been added that, while maintaining the characteristics of ‘Asparago di Badoere’, give better yields, are better at developing the product’s characteristic features, are more tolerant to disease and do not need as much fertiliser or plant protection treatment, thus benefiting consumers, the environment and local biodiversity. The text also now allows the use of new cultivars, provided that there is experimental and bibliographic evidence that the characteristics described in the product specification for ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI are respected and the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy is notified accordingly. This gives farmers the possibility of using new varieties that become available on the market while ensuring that the established product characteristics are respected. This amendment applies to point 3.2 of the single document.

2. In the section of the product specification on white ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI, the following has been added after the description of Class I: ‘Class II Form: full asparagus spear with tip, which may be slightly feathered; Colour: white (may have hints of pink); Taste: sweet, not sour or salty; tender and not at all fibrous, with a slight aroma of fresh legumes and ripe wheat, and a barely perceptible hint of bitterness; Diameter: 8 to 30 mm — all the asparagus making up a bundle or package should be uniformly prepared; Length: up to 22 cm — all the asparagus making up a bundle or package should be uniformly prepared. Class II asparagus may only be used in the processing industry.’ The product specification now includes a Class II, covering all asparagus spears which cannot be categorised in either the ‘Extra’ Class or Class I because of differences in their form and/or measurements, but which still have the required organoleptic characteristics as a result of being grown in the same soil and climate conditions and using the same techniques. The new Class II responds to the specific demands of the market segment that uses the semi-prepared product and is therefore reserved exclusively for the processing industry. This amendment applies to point 4.2 of the summary and point 3.2 of the single document.

3. In the section of the product specification on green ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI, the following has been added after the description of Class I: ‘Class II Form: full asparagus spear with slightly feathered tip; Colour: green (may have hints of violet); Diameter: 8 to 30 mm — all the asparagus making up a bundle or package should be uniformly prepared; Length: up to 27 cm — all the asparagus making up a bundle or package should be uniformly prepared. Class II asparagus may only be used in the processing industry.’ The reasons for this amendment are the same as those given for white ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI in point 2 above. It applies to point 4.2 of the summary and point 3.2 of the single document.

4. The following sentence: ‘The maximum accepted tolerance for deviation from the requirements for the different classes described above is 3 % for each type.’ has been amended to read: ‘The maximum accepted tolerance for deviation from the length and diameter requirements described above for the different classes is 3 % of weight.’ This is an editorial revision to make the product specification more precise by clarifying the basis on which the tolerance limit is calculated and the parameters to which it applies. This amendment applies to point 4.2 of the summary and point 3.2 of the single document.

Method of production

Article 5 of the current product specification

5. The following sentences from the end of Article 5: ‘After the establishment period, “Asparago di Badoere” must be harvested between 1 February and 31 May each year. The maximum yield per hectare after cleaning may not exceed 7 000 kg.’ have been amended to read: ‘After the establishment period, “Asparago di Badoere” must be harvested between 1 February and 30 June each year. The maximum yield per hectare after cleaning may not exceed 10 000 kg for all three classes combined (Extra, I and II).’ The harvest end date has been pushed back to 30 June. As a result of climate change in recent years, coupled with the presence of later-sprouting varieties, the same yield levels and quality standards of ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI are now ensured for at least 30 days after 31 May. The maximum yield per hectare has increased from 7 000 kg to 10 000 kg, as some varieties that can be used for ‘Asparago di Badoere’ are higher-yielding and have longer harvest periods. This amendment is also made to account for the new Class II, which has to be added to the ‘Extra’ Class and Class I yields. The increase in yield per hectare does not in any way affect the organoleptic characteristics of the product, and the same quality standards continue to apply.

Labelling

Article 8 of the current product specification

6. The following passage: ‘To be marketed under the name “Asparago di Badoere” PGI, the asparagus must be packaged in the production area defined in Article 3 of this product specification, respecting the following conditions: a) White “Asparago di Badoere” PGI — in tight raffia-tied bundles weighing between 0,7 and 1,2 kg; — in food-grade packaging, weighing no more than 2,0 kg per package. b) Green “Asparago di Badoere” PGI — in tight raffia- or elastic-tied bundles weighing between 0,5 and 1,2 kg; — in food-grade packaging, weighing no more than 2,0 kg per package. The contents of each package must be uniform and comprise only asparagus of the same type, category and diameter range.’ has been amended to read: ‘To be marketed under the name “Asparago di Badoere” PGI, the asparagus must be packaged into bundles or food-grade packaging within the production area defined in Article 3 of this product specification. Each package must comprise only asparagus of the same category and diameter range.’ The following passage from point 4.8 of the summary: ‘Asparagus bearing the name “Asparago di Badoere” PGI must be packaged in tight raffia-tied bundles or in suitable food-grade packaging. The contents of each package must be uniform and comprise only asparagus of the same type, category and diameter range.’ has been amended to read as follows (the same text has also been added to point 3.5 of the single document): ‘In order to preserve the quality characteristics referred to in point 3.2, “Asparago di Badoere” PGI asparagus may only be marketed if it has been packaged within the production area into either bundles or food-grade packaging. “Asparago di Badoere” must be packaged in the area described in point 4 in order to ensure traceability and control and to prevent deterioration in the quality of “Asparago di Badoere” as a result of impact or bruising during the transportation of the unpackaged product, which can cause the asparagus to blacken and impair its quality characteristics. Each package must comprise only asparagus of the same category and diameter range.’ This amendment is needed in order to meet the changing requirements of domestic and foreign markets for a more diverse range of packaging types and more flexibility to respond to demand. The market demands single packages: bundles or boxes of different sizes that are tailored to the various different target customers. Moreover, as both white and green asparagus are covered by the name ‘Asparago di Badoere’, it has become clear that both types of asparagus need to be promoted, and this also means using the same packaging for both, so uniformity is still required in terms of category and diameter range, but no longer in terms of type. Finally, the relevant point of the single document has been expanded by providing justification for the requirement — already present in the product specification — that the product be packaged in the production area.

7. This sentence: ‘The marketing class, either Extra Class or Class I (under the conditions established in Article 2 of this product specification);’ has been amended to read: ‘The marketing class, either Extra Class or Class I, or Class II accompanied by the words “for processing only”, in accordance with Article 2 of this product specification;’ The following passage from point 4.8 of the summary: ‘Bundles and packs must be labelled with the words “Asparago di Badoere” IGP [PGI] in letters of uniform size, with specific reference to the type of asparagus (green or white) that the pack contains, the (company) name and the address of the grower and packager, the marketing class (“Extra” or “I”), the diameter range and any other information required by the legislation in force.’ has been amended to read as follows (the same text has also been added to point 3.6 of the single document): ‘Bundles and packs must be labelled with the words “Asparago di Badoere” IGP [PGI] in letters of uniform size, with specific reference to the type of asparagus (green, white or green and white) that the pack contains, the (company) name and the address of the grower and packager, the marketing class (“Extra”, “I”, or “II” along with the words “for processing only”), the diameter range and any other information required by the legislation in force.’ This revision consists of including references to Class II for both types of ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI and providing the possibility of including both types of asparagus (white and green) in a single package or bundle.

Other

Editorial revisions

8. Article 4 has been renamed ‘Proof of origin’.

9. Article 5 has been renamed ‘Method of production’.

10. Article 6 has been renamed ‘Link with the environment’.

11. Article 7 has been renamed ‘Compliance checks’.

12. Article 8 has been renamed ‘Labelling’.

Compliance checks

Article 7 of the current product specification

13. The body responsible for checking compliance with the product specification is not currently named in Article 7. Following the proposed amendment, Article 7 reads as follows: ‘Compliance with this product specification is checked in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012; The inspection body is CSQA Certificazioni S.r.l. (address: Thiene (VI) -I- Via San Gaetano n. 74, Italy; telephone number: +39 0445313011; email address: csqa@csqa.it; certified email address: csqa@legalmail.it).’

Updating of references to legislation

14. The references to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 in Articles 1 and 7 have been replaced with references to the legislation that is currently in force.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘ASPARAGO DI BADOERE’

EU No: PGI-IT-0495-AM01 - 25.11.2019

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1. Name(s)

‘Asparago di Badoere’

2. Member State or third country

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.6: Fruit, vegetables and cereals fresh or processed

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

‘Asparago di Badoere’ consists of asparagus spears grown from plants of the Liliaceae family (white varieties ‘Thielim’, ‘Zeno’, ‘Grolim’, ‘Cumulus’, ‘Darzilla’, ‘Hercolim’, ‘Marco’, ‘Vittorio’ or ‘Giove’ or green varieties ‘Eros’, ‘Thielim’, ‘Grolim’, ‘Cumulus’, ‘Magnus’, ‘Giove’ or ‘Vittorio’ of the species Officinalis from the genus Asparagus).

Other asparagus cultivars resulting from varietal research can be used provided that there is experimental and bibliographic evidence that the production method and characteristics of ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI are respected.

The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy must be notified before any such cultivar is used to produce ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI.

When released onto the market, the asparagus spears of either type covered by ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI must be intact, sound, free from damage caused by unsuitable washing practices, clean, fresh in appearance and colour, free from pests or damage caused by pests, unbruised, free of abnormal external moisture or any foreign smell and/or taste, crunchy, not hollow and unpeeled. The cut at the base must be clean and perpendicular to the stem.

‘Extra’ Class white ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI consists of straight spears with tightly closed tips. The spears are white, but may develop a pink tinge after packaging. They taste sweet, not sour or salty, and are tender and not at all fibrous, with a slight scent of fresh legumes and ripe wheat, and a barely perceptible hint of bitterness. The spears measure between 12 and 20 mm in diameter, with a maximum variation of 6 mm between the thickest and thinnest spears in a single bundle or package, and between 14 and 22 cm in length, with a maximum variation of 1 cm between the shortest and longest spears in a single bundle or package.

Class I white ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI is the same as the ‘Extra’ Class in terms of form, colour, taste and length, but can range from 10 to 22 mm in diameter, with a maximum difference of 8 mm between the thickest and thinnest spears in the same bundle or package.

Class II white ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI consists of full asparagus spears with tips, which may be slightly feathered. The spears are white, with a possible pink tinge, measuring between 8 and 30 mm in diameter (all the asparagus making up a bundle or package being uniformly prepared) and up to 22 cm long (all the asparagus making up a bundle or package being uniformly prepared).

Class II asparagus may only be used in the processing industry.

‘Extra’ Class green ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI consists of straight asparagus spears that may be slightly curved at the tip. Their tips are tightly closed and are a dark, shiny green in colour, possibly with a violet tinge. The butt at the base of the spear (no more than 5 % of the total length) is green with a violet to white tinge. This asparagus has a strong sweet taste, and is not sour, salty or bitter. It is tender, not fibrous and has a persistent fruity, grassy aroma. The spears measure between 12 and 20 mm in diameter, with a maximum variation of 6 mm between the thickest and thinnest spears in a single bundle, and between 18 and 27 cm in length, with a maximum variation of 1 cm between the shortest and longest spears in a single bundle.

Class I green ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI is the same as the ‘Extra’ Class in terms of form, colour, taste, but can range from 8 to 22 mm in diameter, with a maximum difference of 8 mm between the thickest and thinnest spears in the same bundle and between 16 and 27 cm in length, with a maximum variation of 1 cm between the shortest and longest spears in a single bundle.

Class II green ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI consists of full asparagus spears with slightly feathered tips. The spears are green, with a possible violet tinge, measuring between 8 and 30 mm in diameter (all the asparagus making up a bundle or package being uniformly prepared) and up to 27 cm long (all the asparagus making up a bundle or package being uniformly prepared).

Class II asparagus may only be used in the processing industry.

The maximum accepted tolerance for deviation from the length and diameter requirements described above for the different classes is 3 % of weight.

3.3. Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

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

All stages of the production of ‘Asparago di Badoere’, from growing to harvesting, take place in the defined geographical area.

3.5. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

In order to preserve the quality characteristics referred to in point 3.2, ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI asparagus may only be marketed if it has been packaged within the production area into either bundles or food-grade packaging.

‘Asparago di Badoere’ must be packaged in the area described in point 4 in order to ensure traceability and control and to prevent deterioration in the quality of ‘Asparago di Badoere’ as a result of impact or bruising during the transportation of the unpackaged product, which can cause the asparagus to blacken and impair its quality characteristics.

Each package must comprise only asparagus of the same category and diameter range.

3.6. Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

Bundles and packs must be labelled with the words ‘Asparago di Badoere’ IGP [PGI] in letters of uniform size, with specific reference to the type of asparagus (green, white or green and white) that the pack contains, the (company) name and the address of the grower and packager, the marketing class (‘Extra’, ‘I’, or ‘II’ along with the words ‘for processing only’), the diameter range and any other information required by the legislation in force.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The ‘Asparago di Badoere’ PGI production area comprises the municipalities of Piombino Dese and Trebaseleghe in the Province of Padua; Casale sul Sile, Casier, Istrana, Mogliano Veneto, Morgano, Paese, Preganziol, Quinto di Treviso, Resana, Treviso, Vedelago and Zero Branco in the province of Treviso; and Scorzè in the province of Venice.

5. Link with the geographical area

The link between the geographical area and the ‘Asparago di Badoere’ is based on quality.

Both types of ‘Asparago di Badoere’ are characterised by rapid development. This gives the spears certain properties, both physical (barely any fibrousness and particularly bright colouring) and organoleptic (the distinctive properties described in point 3.2).

The combination of soil and climate conditions in the production area, as evidenced below, is essential for ensuring the quality and uniqueness of ‘Asparago di Badoere’, since it helps to shape the product's distinguishing physical and organoleptic features.

The ‘Asparago di Badoere’ production area is characterised by a weighted average temperature of around 15 °C, with temperature swings of up to 30 °C over the course of the year. Average annual rainfall is around 900 mm, normally concentrated in the spring and autumn. These conditions eliminate the need to water the crop during the harvest period, so the plants are not subjected to water stress, a factor which contributes to the excellent quality of ‘Asparago di Badoere’. Moreover, slow-flowing rivers from karst springs — the Rivers Sile, Zero and Dese and their tributaries — run through the production area, rendering the land fertile and productive. This makes the plants highly vigorous, removing the need for fertilisation other than the applications that are normally required. The fact that the soil is nitrogen-poor helps the spears to grow intact, without visible splits or cracks. The soil in the production area is loose. ‘Asparago di Badoere’ can only be grown in deep soils with a fairly coarse to medium texture, that are barely calcareous at the surface, subalkaline to neutral in terms of soil pH, and have good to medium drainage, possibly with calcium carbonate deposits deeper down.

The Veneto region has a long tradition of asparagus-growing, which seemingly dates back to the time the Romans conquered land there.

There are countless documentary sources mentioning ‘Asparago di Badoere’, both white and green, as one of the most sought-after local products of the Veneto region. It is also worth remembering that Badoere was of such importance in asparagus-growing in the province that the local authorities of Morgano, the municipality to which Badoere belongs, organised the first local asparagus festival in 1968, a tradition which has carried on to the present day. Asparagus-growing is deeply rooted in the culture of the local people, with growing techniques passed down from one generation to the next. The specific blend of production factors — such as the manual, artisanal nature of this activity — and the soil and climate conditions in the defined area results in a product that stands out clearly from the rest of the sector. The fact that the product is so widely distributed and well known, thanks to a series of promotional campaigns, also attests to the acclaim of ‘Asparago di Badoere’.

Reference to publication of the product specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

The consolidated text of the product specification can be consulted by visiting: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’ (at the top right of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.