COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1151/2012 on Protected Geographical Indications and Protections

SPECIFICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1151/2012 on protected geographical indications and Protections designations of Origin

‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrants’

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1. RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT IN THE MEMBER STATE: IRELAND

NAME: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine ADDRESS: Food Industry Development Division, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 TEL: (+353 1) 6073464 FAX: (+353 1) 6072038 E-MAIL: [email protected]

2. GROUP NAME: Wexford Blackcurrant Growers (WBG) ADDRESS: c/o Des Jeffares, Ballykelly House, Drinagh, County Wexford. TEL: +353 87 286 7455 E-MAIL: [email protected] Website:

COMPOSITION: PRODUCERS/PROCESSORS (✔) OTHER ( )

3. TYPE OF PRODUCT Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals fresh or processed.

4. SPECIFICATION 4.1 Name: ‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrants’

4.2 Description ‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrants’ are about 1cm in diameter, have a black colour, a calyx at the top and a skin which is described as glossy and contains several seeds. ‘Wexford Blackcurrants’ have a sweet flavour, depth of colour, fullness of texture, with Brix sweetness levels ranging from 11° to 18°, with levels of 14° or 15° being the norm. [One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution and represents the strength of the solution as percentage by mass.]

‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrant’ varieties include Baldwin; Ben Tirran; Ben Alder; Ben Hope and Ben Lomand.

Baldwin: A very old traditional mid-season variety originated around 1890, a small sweet fruit with a syrup type texture considered to be the best variety of blackcurrants.

Ben Tirran: A premium late season variety which requires a high level of winter chill to produce an even crop. This variety is particularly adapted to County Wexford’s unique climate.

Ben Alder: A strong skinned late flowering variety, well suited to County Wexford’s geographical microclimate.

Ben Hope: An excellent juicing variety producing long hanks of large berries with good sugar content and deep purple colour. The bush growth can be very vigorous and the fruit needs longer to ripen.

Ben Lomand: Another traditionally grown variety, large fruit with good colour, crops consistently and evenly. It is popular for its uniform size.

4.3 Geographical Area The defined geographical production for ‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrants’ is in County Wexford, in the South East of Ireland. The main growing area comprises 13 Townlands within the county, namely: Ballybrennan,

1 Ballycogley, Ballycross, Ballykelly, Ballynaas, Churchtown, Deerpark, Duninsane, Killiane Little, Kilmacree, Knocks, Sheepwalk and Tottenham Green.

4.4 Proof of Origin The area used for ‘Wexford Blackcurrant/ Wexford Blackcurrants’ plantation is situated in the defined area. Townlands are listed in an inventory and identified by the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. ‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrants’ are packed in containers bearing the individual number of the producer, allowing them to be traced until they reach the consumer. The certified characteristics and the words are printed on the lid or plastic cover of each container. Each pallet is identified by a record stating the variety, destination and transporter, and a consignment note is made out to accompany each lot.

4.5 Method of Production All planting takes place in the geographical area of County Wexford, where ‘Wexford Blackcurrant/ Wexford Blackcurrants’ are commercially grown in relative isolation in accordance with good farming practice.

The components and procedures of production are as follows:

Planting: Planting of Wexford Blackcurrants usually takes place in the autumn and is determined by harvest times, early, mid and late season. Wexford Blackcurrants are planted in rows as either bushes or cuttings. ‘Wexford Blackcurrant / Wexford Blackcurrants’ are planted by cuttings in rows at 3m centres with the plants 45cm apart within these rows. At the end of Year 1 they are cut back to promote further healthy growth. In Year 2 they are left to grow in order to provide a small crop in Year 3. Cultivars chosen are suitable to the geographical location, soil type, a well-drained sandy loam with a PH of between 6.5-6.8, and specific to the harvest times.

Protection against diseases and pests: The spacing of planting inline is kept to a maximum to allow for good air movement. Natural predators are encouraged and their habitats protected.

Soil cultivation system: The soil type is probably the most crucial factor in determining successful growing conditions for the Wexford blackcurrant plantation. Wexford Blackcurrants have a root system that produces roots on the surface of the soil and deep roots that require well drained and aerated soils which also have an ability to retain moisture. Wexford is renowned for having a soil of this quality and so provides an ideal location in which to grow Wexford blackcurrants. Ideally, the pH of the soil should be between 6.5 and 6.8. The organic matter content of the soil is also a key determinant in ensuring fertility and moisture retention. All ground is ploughed and tilled in early autumn to allow time for the ground to settle before pre-planting. Farmyard manure is generally incorporated into the ground at this time. The area between the rows (alleyways) is grassed down to protect the soil structure, reduce the potential for erosion and create a habitat for small natural predators.

Weed control: All alleyways are mowed regularly throughout the growing season. The clippings are mulched into the ground. Permitted chemical weed control is only used 30cm wide at each side of the bush which allows free air movement, reducing risk of infection, promoting more even ripening and aiding better harvest.

Fertilisation: All plantations are regularly soil tested for optimum growing.

Irrigation: Irrigation is not necessary due to the evenly distributed annual rainfall.

Harvesting: Fruit is mechanically harvested, packed directly into containers and shipped out for immediate use in original picking containers within 24 hours. It is also packed and stored in freezers for longer term distribution.

4.6 Link Wexford’s geographic location on the South East coast of Ireland and the influence of climatic and soil conditions there merge to provide an ideal location for cultivating ‘Wexford Blackcurrants’. These natural factors combined with farming tradition in the county have all contributed to building a national reputation for blackcurrant cultivation in Ireland and Wexford remains the only area in the country where blackcurrants are grown on a commercial scale.

The influence of the Gulf Stream minimises potential exposure of the crops to damaging spring frosts. The free draining soil warms up early in spring and with minimal frost impact, makes it ideal for blackcurrant growing. Sufficient downhill slopes in the growing areas enable cold air drain to lower levels and so provide shelter from North-East winds. Crops are also planted next to or near existing woodlands or hedges to provide extra shelter. The extreme southeast of Ireland including County Wexford enjoys high levels of sunshine and lower average annual rainfall and relative humidity than the rest of the country. The County has average daily sunshine of 7 hours in early summer and between 3¼ and 3¾ hours during the rest of the year.

2 The tradition of growing Blackcurrants in County Wexford goes back many generations and was originally undertaken by rural cottage dwellers known as ‘Cottagers’ or ‘Cottiers’. Blackcurrant growing was particularly suited to small plot holders who had family labour during the picking season. ‘Cottagers’ or ‘Cottiers’ were usually employed by nearby farmers and cultivated their own small plot around the cottage to cultivate soft fruits including blackcurrants and vegetables to provide for their families and sold any surplus in the local market as cash crop for their household.

The tradition developed with the introduction of commercial markets for juice and jam, the mechanisation of harvesting, developments in transport infrastructure and in organisation of producers. Historically, the reputation of ‘Wexford Blackcurrants’ is associated with winter tonics to ward off colds and as an ingredient in desert recipes to enhance flavour.

Summary:

4.7 Inspection Body Name: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Address: Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Telephone: 00353 1 6072371 Fax: 00353 1 6072038 Email: [email protected]