EN Official Journal of the European Union C 135/29

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 135/12)

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

‘TOMATEN VON DER INSEL REICHENAU’

EC No DE/PGI/005/0319/27.10.2003

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 00 20 e-mail: info@reichenaugemuese.de Composition: Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3. Type of product:

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

2. Specification

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

4.1 Name: ‘Tomaten von der Insel Reichenau’

4.2 Description: Tomaten von der Insel Reichenau are tomatoes which come from the island of Reichenau in Lake Constance. Tomatoes — Lycopersicon lycopersicum are round, firm, medium-red and have a taste typical of the variety.

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: Tomaten von der Insel Reichenau are grown in accordance with the Richtlinien für den integrierten und kontrollierten Anbau zur Verwendung des Qualitätszeichens Baden-Württemberg ‘Gesicherte Qualität mit Herkunftsangabe’ (Guidelines on integrated and controlled cultivation for the purposes of using the Baden-Württemberg origin and quality label), and exclusively on organic substrate. 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. On the island of Reichenau tomatoes grown under cover are harvested from May to October. Outdoor crops are harvested from late July to September. The tomatoes are harvested in the mornings by hand. The tomatoes grown under cover are picked largely with the green calyx and stalk. They are mainly sorted and packed by hand, as mechanical sorting would damage tomatoes with the stalk still attached. Only a small quantity are grown as vine tomatoes and harvested accordingly. As a rule, the tomatoes grown outdoors are sorted and packed mechanically. The tomatoes are sorted into: 40-47 mm, 47-57 mm, 57-67 mm, 67-82 mm, 82-105 mm and vine tomatoes.

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 tomatoes, which require relatively warm temperatures, particularly well. Lake Constance 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. As they are native to South America, tomatoes need high temperatures and a regular supply of water, but not waterlogged soil, in order to thrive. This is why the moraine soil on the island of Reichenau, which is very coarse in places, is highly suited to growing tomatoes, as while water can be regularly supplied, the prevalent soil types on the island retain only very limited amounts of water, meaning there is little risk of waterlogging. These natural conditions, such as soil-type and the amount of light and warmth, plus the fact that the cooperative's own irrigation system (over 60 000 m of pipes on the island) provides an optimal supply of Lake Constance water after the vegetative stage, make the island of Reichenau perfectly suited to growing tomatoes. A targeted supply of nutrients and, when cultivated under cover, a controlled climate further optimise growing conditions. Growers make the most of these positive climate conditions with their special knowledge of growing tomatoes under cover and outdoors.

— Reputation: The above natural and human influences impact so positively on the quality of Tomaten von der Insel Reichenau that they 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. Tomaten 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’. Tomato-growing on the island of Reichenau is first documented in 1900, and by 1932 it had already increased to over 500 ares (see Glönkler, ‘Vom Weinbau zum Gemüsebau’ (from winegrowing to vegetables), 1991, pp. 61 and 70). Now tomatoes are grown under cover on around 5 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: Tomaten von der Insel Reichenau g.g.A.

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