Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin
Date: 2005-02-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Aquitaine, designation of origin, perennial vegetable

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Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No
2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2005/C 47/02)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the above-
mentioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in
a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article
12(3) within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication
are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning
of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

‘ASPERGE DES SABLES DES LANDES’

EC No: FR/00272/07.11.2002

AOP ( ) IGP(X)

This summary has been drawn up for information purposes only. For full details, in particular the produ-
cers of the PDO or PGI concerned, please consult the complete version of the product specification obtain-
able at national level or from the European Commission (1).

1.

Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

Institut National des Appellations d'Origine

Address: 138, Champs Elysées — 75008 PARIS — FRANCE

Tel.

Fax

(1) 53 89 80 00

(1) 42 25 57 97

2.

Group:

2.1. Name:

2.2. Address:

Syndicat des Producteurs d'Asperges des Landes

Chambre d'Agriculture, Cité Galliane,
BP 279 — 40005 MONT DE MARSAN CEDEX

Tel.

Fax

E-mail

(5) 58 85 45 05

(5) 58 85 45 21

qualite@landes.chambagri.fr

2.3. Composition:

producers/processors (X) other ( )

3.

Type of product:

Class: Fruit, vegetables, cereals, whether or not processed

4.

Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

4.1. N a me :

‘Asperge des Sables des Landes’

(1) European Commission — Directorate-General for Agriculture — Agricultural product quality policy — B-1049 Brux-

elles

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4.2. De scr i p ti on: Fresh asparagus, either white or purple (the latter being white asparagus with a pale
purple tint on only a part of the spear. This colouring is the result of exposure to light for a few
hours and in no way impairs the quality of taste of the asparagus). It is classified under EC standards
EXTRA and I.

The asparagus is packaged in the geographical area of production and sold in bundles, individual
packages or loose, after having been graded according to EC standards (12-16 mm and 16 mm+ for
category ‘EXTRA’, 10-16 mm and 16 mm+ for category I). Non-fresh Asperge des Sables des Landes
(frozen or tinned) may not be sold using the ‘Sables des Landes’ or ‘Landes’ Protected Designation of
Origin (PDO).

4.3. G e og r a p h i ca l a r e a : The asparagus must be harvested and packaged in the geographical area
comprising the Landes department, extended to cover the area defined as ‘Landes de Gascogne’ under
the Ministry of Agriculture order of 5 November 1945, which comprises the following administrative
districts:

— All of the Landes district;

— Parts of the Gironde district (Bordeaux, Arcachon, Audenge, Belin, Blanquefort, Castelnau-de-
Medoc, La-Brede, Pessac, Podensac, La Teste; part of the Langon area: Langon, Bommes, Fargue-
de-Langon, Léognan, Mazière, Roaillan, Sauterne, Toulenne; part of the Auros area: Auros,
Berthez, Brannens, Brouqueyran, Coimère, Lados, Sigalens; Bazas, Captieux, Grignols, Saint
Symphorien, Villandraut, Lesparre-Medoc, Pauillac, Saint-Laurent et Benon and Saint-Vivien-de-
Medoc;

— Parts of the Lot-et-Garonne district (part of the area of Bouglon: Antagnac, Labastide-Castel-
Amouroux, Poussignac; Casteljaloux; part of Damazan; Damazan, Ambrus, Caubeyres, Fargues-
sur-Ourbise, Saint-Léon, Saint-Pierre de Buzet; Houeillès; part of Lavardac: Lavardac, Barbaste,
Montgaillard, Pompiey, Xaintrailles; part of Mézin; Mézin, Gueyze, Lisse, Meylan, Poudenas,
Réaup, Saint-Maure-de-Peyriac, Saint-Pé-Saint-Simon and Sos.

4.4. Pr oof of or i g i n:

Background

Asparagus has been grown in the Landes area since the beginning of the twentieth century. Produc-
tion has increased significantly since the 1960s, when it was an innovative product. In this vast
expanse of woodland farmed for pine resin since the eighteenth century by the French State, aspar-
agus growing — in conjunction with other crops — almost took over from resin tapping. In addition
to adaptation to the climate and soil conditions, asparagus growing is well-suited to small and
medium-sized farming structures and is labour intensive. This means it has sustained a fairly active
and dense rural population in this specific area (‘life in the heart of the forest’).

Traceability

The product origin is guaranteed by ensuring traceability from field to distribution. Production areas
are given a reference number. Batches of asparagus can be tracked from production to the packaging
plant. Cases or individual packages of asparagus are marked with a specific label and a reference to
locate the origin (producer code, date of the batch was harvested). Operators keep all records needed
to prove traceability.

4.5. M e th od of p r odu c ti on:

Asparagus is a perennial crop that is grown for about ten years. Production begins in the third year
and lasts for about seven years. The part of the crop that is consumed is the spear, which is the
underground stem produced from a ‘crown’. Only varieties producing white or purple asparagus and
contained in the applicant's list are authorised. Any new variety must undergo varietal tests.

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Production begins by planting the crown between March and May in a plot of land chosen for its
sand content (over 75 %), drainage properties, fertility and previous cropping. Sowing density ranges
from 12 000 to 25 000 crowns per hectare, depending upon soil fertility and method of irrigation.
Fertilisation, irrigation and plant health protection are provided as needed.

The ground is tilled to form a mound of very fine, light, uncompacted soil approximately 30 cm
high. The final mound is dug in February before being mulched, or covered with a layer to improve
the distribution of ground heat. Harvesting can begin as soon as the ground temperature reaches 9-
12 oC at the depth of the crown, which typically occurs between March and May. On the third year
after sowing, half the crop is harvested. The spears are immediately protected from exposure to light
and heat and are chilled at 7 oC within four hours of harvesting. All selection, packaging and storage
procedures prior to distribution must preserve the refrigeration chain and protect the crop from
dehydration. These processes are carried out in the area defined above due to the fragility of the
Asperge des Sables des Landes and in order to maintain freshness and tenderness. The date of delivery
to the packaging plant is given on the label.

4.6. L i nk:

Sables des Landes asparagus are characteristically early, well and fully-formed, non-fibrous and not
bitter. Typically, they are tender, sweet and very fragile. These characteristics are mainly the result of
the way the spear grows in a certain type of soil and in specific climate conditions. It is grown in
podzolic loam, relatively rich in organic matter and poor in clay content since this ensures the aspar-
agus is not bitter-tasting. Due to the specific particle size, the soil is light, filtering and heats up
quickly. In addition, this type of loam directly affects the asparagus spear as it provides limited
mechanical resistance, encouraging rapid, straight growth.

The producers' skill in preparing the mound ensures the spear grows quickly and straight, helped by
limited mechanical resistance from the soil – free of clods and stones -, the accumulated heat and
sustained humidity.

The regional climate can be described as oceanic, typical of the Aquitaine region, i.e. temperate-
humid. Spring is early, with fairly heavy rainfall and mild temperatures. The climate is further
tempered by the large expanse of woodland. Dry and hot summers then provide the crop with all it
needs for a successful harvest.

Its characteristics have made the Asperge des Sables des Landes highly sought after by European
markets. A public awareness survey conducted in 1997 revealed that 90 % of professional buyers
recognised Landes asparagus and placed it first or second for quality. Asparagus from Landes are also
selected for export, which represents around 10 % of annual sales (about 7 % to Germany; about 2 %
to Luxemburg; Belgium, Spain, and England). Asperge des Sables des Landes have been eaten in some
countries since the 1960s.

The producers' skill in harvesting and selecting produce, the packaging plants and the sales agents all
play an important part in ensuring these fresh and fragile products reach distribution.

4.7. Insp e c ti on b ody :

Name:

QUALISUD

Address:

‘Agropole’ B.P. 102, Lasserre — 47 000 AGEN

In accordance with standard EN 45011

4.8. L a b e lli n g : The product is sold under the name ‘Asperge des Sables des Landes’.

4.9. N a ti ona l r e q u i r e me nt s: —