Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2013/C 232/07

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1151/2012 (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs  (2)

‘DITHMARSCHER KOHL’

EC No: DE-PGI-0005-01015-18.07.2012

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1.   Name

‘Dithmarscher Kohl’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Germany

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

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

‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ refers to both white cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar capitata L.) and red cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar capitata var. rubra L.) and is a member of the cruciferous family (Cruciferae or Brassicae).

Cabbage varieties cultivated in Dithmarschen are characterised by their fine leaf layers, crisp texture, small stump and well-rounded flavour. In addition, the white cabbage varieties are typically bright green (with the colour permeating even the innermost leaf layers) whilst the red cabbage varieties have deep reddish purple leaves with a hint of white. All varieties are suitable for storage.

The Dithmarschen Vegetable Gardening Advisory Board (Gemüsebauberatungsring Dithmarschen e.V.) carries out annual field trials and recommends varieties which exhibit all these qualities.

Cabbage plants are rosette plants, which means they die after flowering and fruit formation. They have short stems, and short internodes result in the leaves being tightly packed together. Although the leaf blades develop well, the leaves themselves never actually unfurl. Both the red and white cabbage heads are very compact as they have a long, stable growing period which means that very little air is stored between the leaf layers. The leaves form head shapes which can be described as drumhead, flattish-round, rounded, very rounded, ball-shaped or conical.

Red and white cabbages are high in fibre and rich in minerals such as potassium and iron and therefore highly nutritious.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only)

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3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only)

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3.5.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

All steps in the production process, from cultivation to processing and storage, take place within the specified geographical area. The cabbages are harvested by hand and carefully placed in large crates. This process requires skill and experience as any bruising would be detrimental to the storage potential of the cabbage. The crates are stored in standard warehouses, without additional refrigeration, until around February when they are transferred to refrigerated storage (0,5 °C) where they remain until July. Processing takes place either after harvesting or once the cabbages have been removed from storage. The stump is then retrimmed and the outer leaves removed.

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

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3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling

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4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The rural district of Dithmarschen in Schleswig-Holstein is one of two districts situated on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost federal state. Dithmarschen is surrounded by water, being bordered by the River Eider to the north, the Kiel Canal to the east, the River Elbe to the south and the North Sea to the west.

5.   Geographical link

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

The Dithmarschen region is particularly well-suited to cabbage cultivation. Dithmarschen’s climate is defined by its North Sea coastal location. The area has an Atlantic climate with mild summers and winters. Rainfall is at its highest during the critical growing months of July and August (approx. 80 mm per month). The marshland growing area is rarely exposed to frost before late October. This means that the head cabbages can be stored at an optimum temperature (between 5 °C and 12 °C) without risk of frost damage. The mild weather conditions in the planting months of April and May are also ideal. On average, wind speeds in Dithmarschen reach Beaufort force 4 for 270 days per year. As a result of the wind, the weather can be very changeable, with western weather fronts tending to sweep in from the North Sea.

The soil conditions in the growing area are exceptionally good. The calcareous marshland (declared ‘Soil of the Year 2009’ by the ‘Kuratorium Boden des Jahres’ (‘Soil of the Year Board’)) which dominates the area was formed as a result of frequent flooding. This led to the formation of mineral layers containing salt and lime with a high concentration of organic material. Dykes and drainage systems helped to aerate the layers and leach out the salts. The calcareous marshes (with a carbonate content of up to 9 %) were thus formed from the chalky, silty marine deposits along the coastline. The fertility of the calcareous marsh is owed in part to the presence of large numbers of earthworms (up to 500 per m2), which are fond of calcium, and partly to the high nutrient content of the soil. Calcareous marshes are one of the world’s most productive types of land. High levels of nutrients (found in the organic matter content of the sediment and the weakly weathered mineral layers) and good water retention capacity combined with human water table control make this soil type vital to the successful and widespread cultivation of cabbage in the region. The good soil conditions also have a significant role to play in the health of the crop produced. The soil’s high pH value (7,2 to 7,5) means that clubroot is rare in the region. Infestation with the pathogen Plasmodiphora brassicae is more common in moist alkaline soils with a tendency to become waterlogged. Where the pH of soil rises to 7,2 or above, new infections hardly ever occur. This is a key factor in the widespread cultivation of cabbage in Dithmarschen.

This development was accompanied from the very beginning by research and the breeding of new varieties. Dithmarschen cabbage varieties such as Kalorama, Storema and Reguma (the suffix ‘-ma’ refers to the town of Marne in Dithmarschen) are robust with good storage potential. The Dithmarschen Vegetable Gardening Advisory Board (Gemüsebauberatungsring Dithmarschen e.V.) publishes the results of the head cabbage variety presentation annually in the publication Dithmarscher Gemüse-Info. Every year, 100 varieties are trialled. The field trials provide information on uniformity, yield and plant health. The interior quality and the cultivation value of each variety are also rated.

This extensive, local expertise ensures that local growers have access to first-rate advice, particularly concerning regional specialities. This is ultimately beneficial for the crop, as local specialities will have a natural resistance to diseases such as black rot.

5.2.   Specificity of the product

Dithmarschen’s fertile soil and moderate climate yield cabbages which contain a good balance of nutrients. They have a distinctive yet mellow flavour and are crisp and fresh.

The hardiness of the cabbages, which are rarely afflicted with pests or diseases, means that they are particularly well-suited to long-term storage. In Dithmarschen, some of the world’s most common cabbage diseases such as cabbage wilt (Plasmodiophora brassicola), Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) and black rot (Xanthomonas campestris) are almost unheard of owing to the area’s unique soil conditions (with a pH greater than 7) and the climate (average temperature which is too low). Even leaf diseases such as Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria brassicae) and ring spot (Mycosphaerella brassicola) are so rare that cabbages destined for long-term storage need not be treated with fungicides. The situation is similar for pests. The cool climate means that cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes brassicae) and thrips (Thrips tabaci) are extremely rare, for example. The Lennox variety is therefore grown almost exclusively in Dithmarschen as its hardiness is significantly reduced when grown elsewhere. Lennox has excellent storage potential, however, and it therefore remains the main variety grown in Dithmarschen.

‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ is not a seasonal vegetable. It is a vegetable with high nutritional value which is available to the consumer — and is of a consistently high quality — all year round.

The ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ cabbage heads are very compact in comparison to those grown in warmer areas. This is because during the long, stable growing period very little air is stored between the leaves. This characteristic is essential for good storage potential.

In addition to ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’s well-known antioxidant potential, the cabbage also has a high mineral content. This is demonstrated by tests carried out by Gemüsebauverband Dithmarschen e.V. (the Dithmarschen Vegetable Association). Levels of calcium, and especially iron, are higher than the typical stated values for head cabbages in literature on the subject. According to the specialist literature (e.g. the information sheet ‘Weiß- und Rotkohl’ produced by the Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture)), white cabbage contains on average 45 mg of calcium per 100 g fresh weight. White cabbage from Dithmarschen, however, contains between 50 mg and 70 mg per 100 g fresh weight. The typical iron content of white cabbage according to literature on the subject is 0,5 mg per 100 g fresh weight, whereas white cabbage from Dithmarschen contains between 0,6 mg and 1,6 mg per 100 g fresh weight. This is because the soils of Dithmarschen also contain high levels of each of these minerals, particularly the calcareous marshland which is the prevailing soil type in the area.

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)

The long tradition of cabbage cultivation in the defined geographical area, favoured by the optimal climate and optimal soil conditions, and the associated unique cabbage culture in Dithmarschen have led to head cabbage from this area being particularly highly regarded by consumers as a regional speciality.

The wind and weather conditions promote cabbage cultivation in two fundamental ways. The frequent changes in weather ensure the right amount of rainfall so that the plant has sufficient water throughout the growing season. The calcareous marsh which is prevalent in the region also has good water retention properties and is thus able to retain sufficient water. The second crucial advantage afforded by the weather is the wind direction. The prevalence of west winds keep pests at bay naturally. The ‘healthy’ air blowing in from the North Sea ensures that the cabbage is significantly less affected than in other regions by pests such as the cabbage white butterfly. More important still is the fact that conditions are not favourable for fungal spores. Plant protection products can therefore be used sparingly, yet cabbages still have excellent storage potential. The climate-induced slow growth rate of the cabbage results in firm, heavy cabbage heads with a relatively small number of air pockets which thus exhibit excellent storage potential and have a crisp texture.

Cabbage has been cultivated in Dithmarschen for over 100 years. It was in 1888 that Eduard Laß began growing cabbages in Wesselburen after having seen a newspaper advertisement for the Glückstädter Gemüsefabrik (Glückstadt Vegetable Factory). ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ has been cultivated in the region since 1888 and its economic importance has grown steadily since that time. The growers living in the geographical area have been passing on their knowledge and experience in cabbage growing from one generation to another for over 120 years. This guarantees the best possible quality, the basis for successful marketing. With a growing area of 2 500 ha, Dithmarschen is one of the largest single head cabbage growing regions in Europe. ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ is important to the local economy. Moreover, ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ is a vital part of the region’s culinary heritage and is also a tourist attraction. These factors along with the history of cabbage cultivation in Dithmarschen have been described in detail in literature (see Kohlgeschichte(n) — Aus dem Anbaugebiet hinter Dithmarschens Deich by Klaus Gille, published by Verlag Boyens & Co).

A number of events focusing on ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ and the annual harvest attract many tourists from far outside the region. The ‘Dithmarscher Kohltage’ is an event which has significance beyond the region and draws over 300 000 visitors to Dithmarschen each year (source: Dithmarschen feiert den Kohl published in the Hamburger Abendblatt, 20 September 2006). The business community, politicians, administrators and numerous societies, associations and individuals organise activities around the cabbage harvest each year as part of a six-day autumn festival. The ceremonial cutting of the cabbage has for many years been regularly attended by the President of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein and the President of the rural district of Dithmarschen. Many restaurants even outside the region augment their menus with special cabbage dishes during the ‘Dithmarscher Kohltage’. This tradition dates back many years, the first ‘Dithmarscher Kohltage’ event took place in 1987.

The German Cabbage Route runs through Dithmarschen and helps, particularly outside the active cabbage season, to inform tourists and other interested parties about the crop and products derived from it. The Cabbage Route runs straight through the rural district of Dithmarschen, passing a number of sights and points of interest and bringing visitors into direct contact with growers and providing them with all kinds of information about cabbage. This includes, for example, visiting the cabbage storage and preparation facilities or the ‘Kohlosseum Wesselburen’. This is the home of Dithmarschen’s cabbage museum, complete with a cabbage workshop and a farmer’s market which attract thousands of visitors throughout the year.

As part of the ‘Dithmarschen Kohltage’ event, female agricultural workers from the region also nominate two young women from the district of Dithmarschen to be ‘Dithmarschen Cabbage Queen’ for a year, the official ambassadors of the ‘Dithmarschen Kohltage’. The role of the Dithmarschen Cabbage Queens takes them far beyond the borders of Schleswig-Holstein. They regularly represent ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ at events such as ‘International Green Week Berlin’, for example, and have give numerous interviews with media representatives from the press, radio and television. This is yet another way in which the reputation of ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ is carried far outside the region.

A representative consumer survey conducted in 2009 showed that ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ not only enjoys a high recognition rating in Schleswig-Holstein (of around 80 %) but that it is also held in high esteem as a top quality product. Consequently, 37 % of those surveyed would be prepared to pay more for ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ than cabbage with a different provenance.

The abovementioned natural conditions in Dithmarschen, in particular the Atlantic climate, sufficient precipitation, lack of frost, high winds and favourable soil conditions (calcareous marsh) have favoured the growing of cabbage in the defined geographical area, helped to secure a 100-year tradition of cabbage cultivation in the region and made Dithmarschen one of Europe's largest single cabbage growing areas. As a result, extensive expertise has been acquired in Dithmarschen, especially with regard to the breeding of new varieties, and this in turn contributes to the production of high-quality cabbage in the region. These circumstances have enabled Dithmarschen to become famous for the cabbage produced there and have led to ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’, as a traditional regional product, being enjoyed and held in highest esteem by consumers on the basis of its geographical origin. Various tourism, culinary and information events with a ‘Dithmarscher Kohl’ theme help to raise awareness of the product and enhance its reputation.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (3))

http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/geo/detail.pdfdownload/30500

(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

(2)  Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

(3)  See footnote 2.