PICK FREELY! Help yourself!
We’re against wasting food, are you with us?

The “Gielt Band” campaign: Here, gathering fruit is allowed.

Each year, many kilograms of ripe fruit are left to rot under the trees in orchards, gardens and on public places – and it’s a dreadful waste. The remedy is simple: gather and pick these apples, pears, plums, etc. and make them into jam, compote, juice or a pie.

But there’s a snag: gathering fruit without the owner’s permission is prohibited. What’s the solution? It’s the “Gielt Band” campaign, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development in collaboration with the “Syndicat des Villes et Communes luxembourgeoises” (Syvicol). Municipalities, private individuals, associations and businesses may attach a yellow ribbon to indicate the fruit trees which they own and from which fruit can be gathered by members of the public. The Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development participates as regards the trees under its care and supervision.

Yellow ribbon: you can gather the fruit!

When the fruit is ripe and ready to be picked, yellow ribbons (made from cotton, and thus recyclable) will be attached to the trees concerned and anyone is allowed, free of charge and without first consulting the owner, to gather fruit for personal use – whilst respecting the behaviour charter. This way, active steps are taken to prevent food waste, and we learn to value and appreciate foodstuffs. Moreover, the transformation and conservation of the various fruits affords an opportunity to keep our traditions and know-how alive.

0-50 trees
50-200 trees
>200 trees

This map shows in which municipalities private individuals, associations, businesses and/or local councils themselves participate in the “Gielt Band” campaign, and which varieties of fruit trees you can find there. It is left to each participant to decide whether and in what manner he wants to inform the public on the exact location of the fruit trees. For those that want to pick fruit this means: keep your eyes open when you’re on the move in your municipality!

More information about the locations of the fruit trees

You want to take part in the campaign but your fruit trees are behind the house or your orchard is in a remote area? Then order a sign “Hei dierft Dir plécken!” (Pick freely!) by e-mail to antigaspi@ma.etat.lu. With this you can show people the way to where they can gather the fruit.

If any municipal committees, associations or private persons are organising events around the campaign (e.g. a village fete or apple juice production), they should notify the Ministry of Agriculture of their respective actions, either by e-mail (antigaspi@ma.etat.lu) or by telephone (247-73516). We will be presenting them here to the public.

“Gielt Band” Charter applicable to fruit pickers:

Only fruit from a tree marked with a yellow ribbon may be gathered.
It is forbidden to climb the tree or to use a ladder.
The tree must not be damaged.
The fruit must be gathered for private use only.
Only take the amount of fruit that you need.
Leave nature in the state in which you found it.
Don’t block access paths and roads.
In gathering the fruit, you do so under your own responsibility.

The “Gielt Band” Charter applicable to owners of trees:

Trees whose fruits are available for gathering or picking must be freely accessible (they may not, for example, be surrounded by a fence needing to be climbed over).
The trees may not be located in a field where cattle or other livestock graze.
The yellow ribbon must be attached to the tree in such a way that it can easily be seen.
Each tree must be indicated separately by means of a yellow ribbon.
The yellow ribbon may be attached to the tree or removed from it at any time (before or after the fruit has ripened, or has fallen to the ground).

“Gielt Band” Charter to hang near the trees (LB & FR)

Legal stipulations:

In order to join in the campaign, you are required to confirm that you have the right to allow third parties to gather fruit from the land with which you are participating in the “Gielt Band” campaign. Accordingly, you must be the owner or tenant of the land on which the tree(s) or bush(es) in question are located, or authorised in some other way to enjoy and dispose of that land and of the right to gather and harvest the fruits thereof.

The State and the “Syndicat des Villes et Communes luxembourgeoises” (Syvicol) decline all responsibility in the event of any incident occurring in the context of the “Gielt Band” campaign. You are requested, in such cases, to contact your insurers and to take all necessary precautionary measures.

Antigaspi

The “Gielt Band” campaign: Everyone can participate

The “Gielt Band” campaign: Here, gathering fruit is allowed.

Yellow ribbon: you can gather the fruit!

“Gielt Band” Charter applicable to fruit pickers:

The “Gielt Band” Charter applicable to owners of trees:

Legal stipulations:

Antigaspi

8 golden rules

Good to know

Contact

Languages