🧀🐑 The Minister of Agriculture, Petros Xenophon, confirmed that the PDO Halloumi folder will be implemented as approved. If the EU does not grant a five-year transitional period, the quota for goat and sheep milk in halloumi cheese production will have to increase to 51% by 2024. Opposition from cheese makers and cattle farmers has arisen, while the Cyprus Goat and Sheep Farmers’ Association called for a comprehensive proposal. #Halloumi #PDO #Cyprus #Agriculture
What is the current status of the PDO Halloumi quota implementation?
The Minister of Agriculture, Petros Xenophon, confirmed that the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) halloumi folder will be implemented as approved. If the EU does not grant a five-year transitional period, the quota for goat and sheep milk in halloumi cheese production will have to increase to 51% by 2024. The current 19% quota will remain in effect until January 2024.
PDO Halloumi Folder to be Implemented as Approved
The Minister of Agriculture, Petros Xenophon, has recently confirmed that the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) halloumi folder will be implemented as approved. In an interview with ASTRA, Xenophon stated that several EU states have requested an extension of the transitional period for PDOs for another five years.
A Potential Increase in Goat and Sheep Milk Quota
If the extension is not approved, the quota for goat and sheep milk in halloumi cheese production will have to increase to 51% by 2024, as outlined in the PDO folder. Xenophon also noted that the recent decree to increase the quota from 10% to 19% will remain in effect until January 2024. If the EU grants a five-year transitional period for the implementation of PDO, a gradual increase in the quota will be agreed upon.
Opposition from Cheese Makers and Cattle Farmers
The Minister of Agriculture denounced cheese makers and cattle farmers who had signed for the PDO folder but withdrew their signature and did not withdraw their appeals against the folder. They demand the goat and sheep milk quota for halloumi remain at the previous 10% level.
Cyprus Goat and Sheep Farmers’ Association’s Response
George Dimitriou, the General Secretary of the Cyprus Goat and Sheep Farmers’ Association, has called for a comprehensive proposal from the Minister of Agriculture concerning the halloumi quota with goat and sheep milk. Dimitriou stated that the current 19% quota is insufficient and expects specific decrees to be issued by 2024 to secure the PDO folder for halloumi, with goat and sheep milk dominating over cattle milk at 51%. He emphasized the importance of inspections and products meeting specifications.
Cheese Makers Association’s Criticism
Marios Constantinou, President of the Cheese Makers Association, criticized the Ministry of Agriculture for hasty handling of the issue. He explained that cheese makers are aware that a satisfactory amount of goat and sheep milk cannot be produced to meet the halloumi quota. Constantinou criticized the Ministry of Agriculture for not considering the consequences for cheese factories that produce halloumi only from goat and sheep milk, which will face operational challenges due to the increase in the quota.
The implementation of the PDO Halloumi quota has sparked opposition from cheese makers and cattle farmers, who demand the goat and sheep milk quota for halloumi remain at the previous 10% level. This reflects the challenges that come with implementing new regulations and quotas, especially when they disrupt established industries and practices. It is important for policymakers to engage with stakeholders and consider their concerns when implementing new regulations or quotas, as this can help to mitigate opposition and promote compliance.
The response from the Cyprus Goat and Sheep Farmers’ Association highlights the importance of specificity in regulatory proposals, as well as the need for monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with regulations. This underlines the importance of effective implementation and monitoring of regulations, as well as the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement with affected stakeholders. Overall, the PDO Halloumi quota implementation highlights the importance of careful planning and engagement with stakeholders in the implementation of new regulations and quotas.
