Cattle farmers within the EU elevate the problem of halloumi manufacturing within the occupied territories – They discuss unequal remedy
Important points surrounding the manufacturing of halloumi and the situations imposed by European Regulation 591/2021, which enshrines halloumi as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) have been mentioned at a gathering of the Coordinating Committee of Cattle Breeders with the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Cyprus, Nikolaos Isaris.
Based on the Regulation, the manufacturing of halloumi needs to be carried out with the identical specs and situations all through Cyprus, whatever the vacation spot of the market. Nevertheless, the cattle farmers identified that the cheese produced within the occupied territories and bearing the identify “halloumi” is outdoors the PDO specs, and due to this fact, can’t bear the official identify “Halloumi – Hellim”.
Through the assembly, the place of the European Union was emphasised that the manufacturing of halloumi is usually a bridge of cooperation between the 2 sides of Cyprus, contributing to constructing a local weather of mutual belief. Due to this fact, it was proposed to discover a frequent system for the manufacturing of the product by each communities, whereas the help of the EU was requested on this path.
Within the context of the assembly, a memorandum was submitted to the Normal Directorate of Agriculture of the European Union, by which the positions and proposals of the cattle farmers are recorded for fixing the issues associated to the manufacturing and advertising and marketing of halloumi.
Cattle breeders report that they’re awaiting the positions of the European Union, with a purpose to consider and make choices on their subsequent steps. The producers ask the EU and the Republic of Cyprus for equal remedy of the dairy sector within the free and occupied areas. They level out that the identical situations and the identical standards for the manufacturing of halloumi needs to be utilized to either side, till a definitive resolution is discovered and the reunification of the island is achieved.
Right now, as they report, there’s unequal remedy between producers within the free and occupied territories. Whereas producers within the occupied territories can market halloumi with out restrictions on the usage of goat's and sheep's milk in third international locations, producers in free zones are required to strictly adhere to quotas within the milk combination and PDO specs, whatever the product's vacation spot. This, they are saying, will increase manufacturing prices and creates situations of unfair competitors.
Supply: KYPE