In a statement, the associations of goat and sheep farmers categorically deny that there is a shortage of goat and sheep milk affecting small traditional dairies and halloumi production.
They express surprise at the open letter dated 12/07/2024 from small and traditional dairies to the President of the Republic, which they describe as a “cry of anguish for their viability.”
They assure that there has been no reduction or interruption in the supply of goat and sheep milk to small and traditional dairies, and they refute part of the open letter’s claim that large dairies buy all the available goat and sheep milk to cover their mixed halloumi PDO production needs. They assert that this is not happening in practice.
They also assure that there has been no discussion with these dairies suggesting a reduction or interruption in milk supply. On the contrary, as they mention, they had previously told them that they would always support them as they produce authentic halloumi, and they have been doing so until today.
“All the necessary evidence to support this is available to the President of the Republic and the Minister of Agriculture,” they add.
They argue that today’s decree not only does not create a milk shortage but, on the contrary, the quotas of 15% for the dry period and 30% for the production period are lower than the actual production of goat and sheep milk.
They further mention that in communication with small and traditional dairies, these dairies informed them that they had given their consent over the phone to have their names included in a letter ‘”ntended to support small dairies” without knowing the actual content of the open letter.
They add that after the publication of the open letter, these dairies expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of information and clarified that they disagree with its content.
They express their “disappointment” at the “unfair and deplorable way some have chosen to pressure the President of the Republic and the Minister of Agriculture by using targeted misinformation and scaremongering, with the sole purpose of further ‘diluting’ halloumi and achieving the goal of turning the PDO into a generic product.”
“It is now certain that this open letter was not written by small dairies, and this makes it unethical and unacceptable,” the statement reads.
It is also noted that all the perennial scenarios of terror regarding the shortage of goat and sheep milk, the closure of dairies, the reduction of exports, and the loss of jobs are once again refuted by the increase in halloumi exports in the first quarter of 2024.
They question how exports are increasing when there is allegedly a shortage of goat and sheep milk.
The letter is signed by ONAP Ltd., M – P.O.A.I Ltd., Cyprus Goat and Sheep Breeders Association, Group of Goat and Sheep Breeders of Western Nicosia Ltd., O.P.A. Group of Goat and Sheep Breeders Ltd., Group of Goat and Sheep Breeders of Limassol “O Poimenas” Ltd., Group of Goat and Sheep Breeders of Paphos (Tseligas) Ltd., and Group of Shepherds of the Akamas – Paphos Region (AP) Ltd.
