EN Official Journal of the European Union C 62/9

Publication pursuant to Article 8(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 of the single document on a designation of origin or a geographical indication registered under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 in accordance with Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92

(2015/C 62/08)

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1)

‘WALDVIERTLER GRAUMOHN’

EC No: AT-PDO-0117-01269-31.3.2008

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1. Name

‘Waldviertler Graumohn’

2. Member State or Third Country

Austria

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 product to which the name in (1) applies

The ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ is a member of the opium poppy species (Papaver somniferum L.) and is known as the Schüttmohn. In addition to local varieties from the Waldviertel, there are also two registered varieties: the Edel-Weiss and Edel-Rot. The seeds of the poppy are grey, kidney-shaped, approximately 1-1,5 mm long and 0,7-1 mm wide, with a thin seed coat. Their outer surface has a criss-crossed appearance. They have an oil content of between 43,4 % and 48,4 %. Due to the high oil content and thin seed coat, the ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ has a distinctive, mild and nutty flavour. The ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ has an unsaturated fatty acid content of approximately 85 %.

The ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ is one of the few poppy species with a seed capsule which opens when ripe, allowing the seeds to be harvested without destroying the capsule.

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

—

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

Individual batches are stored and processed separately, allowing the producer to be identified at any time.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

Marketing is not carried out by farmers directly but by distributors. Once each individual batch is received, it is labelled with a producer number (or batch number), meaning that the producer can be traced at any time.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The Waldviertel (Forest Quarter) forms part of the Austrian province of Lower Austria. The ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ is produced in the districts of Zwettl, Gmünd, Waidhofen/Thaya, Horn, Krems/Land (north of the Danube) and Melk (north of the Danube).

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The geographical area is characterised by barren soils, considerable variation between day time and night time temperatures and dry weather conditions during harvest. Grey poppy seeds have been produced traditionally in the designated area since the 13th century. Poppy growing requires a great deal of care and ‘gardening-style’ soil preparation. Local know-how has led to the development of special equipment for harvesting ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ which, due to its thin seed coat and high oil content, would be crushed and decompose if harvested using a conventional combine harvester.

5.2. Specificity of the product

Grey in colour, the seeds are relatively large in comparison to other poppy seeds, and have only a thin coat. They have a 2-3 % higher oil content than blue poppy varieties and a high unsaturated fatty acid content. They have a distinctive, intense flavour.

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)

Compared to other species of poppy, the ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ has softer leaves, with serrated and lobed edges. The stem is typically hairy. Due to these special characteristics, the ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ is able to make better use of the dew which forms as a result of the wide variation between day time and night time temperatures in the Waldviertel, ensuring its healthy growth. The variation in local temperature also has a particular effect on the formation of the seeds, which contract when it is cold and expand when it is hot. This movement produces a distinct, intense flavour. The barren soil in the Waldviertel means that the poppies grow slowly, increasing the quality and quantity of the poppy oil produced. The dry weather conditions during harvest have a crucial effect on the quality of the poppy and capsule.

Poppy-growing plays an extremely important economic role in terms of the agricultural sector in the Waldviertel, which is characterised by predominantly small-scale holdings. Its impact on the countryside is also increasingly important, especially for tourism. The red and white poppy fields attract many holiday-makers to the Waldviertel each year. Moreover, the ‘Waldviertler Graumohn’ is a common traditional ingredient in regional cookery.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (2))

www.patentamt.at/Home/Markenschutz/Herkunftsangaben/Formulare/HA2_07_sp_WaldviertlerGraumohn_1.pdf

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

(2) See footnote 1.