Following the decision of the European Union Court regarding the appeal of the Pancyprian Cattle Breeders Organization against the European Regulation under which halloumi was registered as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, the next steps of the Republic of Cyprus will proceed.
For this purpose, yesterday, the sheep and goat farming groups who met with the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace were requested to submit in writing by next Friday recommendations and proposals for increasing the quotas of goat’s milk after 2029.
During the meeting, the sheep and goat farmers referred to the increase in the productivity of goat and sheep milk with the continuation of subsidies, the issue of compliance control of cheesemakers with the regulations, as well as ensuring a fair price for the distribution of goat’s milk.
They also requested an increase in the coverage rate for livestock units from 30% to 50% to improve animal living conditions and increase productivity.
They further requested improvements to the animal genetic improvement program by the Agricultural Research Institute.
The Government seems to have understood the message of the goat and sheep farmers and the funding problem of the sector.
To this end, it is oriented towards a strategy to balance the milk ratio, aiming to address the issue of surplus quantities of cow’s milk.
Immediately after the outcome of the EU court expected on February 21 and if it has a positive outcome for the Republic of Cyprus, the government will propose, among other things, that surplus quantities of cow’s milk be used to promote Cypriot grilled cheese.
Furthermore, decisions are expected to be taken not to increase cow’s milk production. For this purpose, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment is developing specific measures that will be developed in a new meeting at the Presidential Palace.
The meeting will be attended by all stakeholders, sheep and goat farmers, cheese makers, and cattle breeders.
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment Maria Panayiotou characterized the discussion as productive, stating that they listened very carefully to the problems and requests of the sheep and goat farmers.
She added that it was agreed for the sheep and goat farmers to submit their recommendations in writing by the following Friday on how to increase goat’s milk production. She added that the Ministry already has a range of measures through the Rural Development Program, but is also working on others for the issue.
