Livestock farmers have vowed to oppose any attempt to change the requirement for halloumi to contain 51% sheep and goat milk, after receiving information that the quota will remain unchanged in 2029.
Neofytos Neofytou, president of the Voice of Livestock Farmers association, said the organisation had been informed that the milk ratio required under halloumi’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status would remain in place.
Cheesemakers are expected to send a letter requesting a change to the quota, a move the association strongly opposes.
Neofytou explained that farmers intend to file objections both individually and collectively, expressing confidence that the European Union would not reject their arguments and that the quota would remain unchanged.
“If everyone does not help rebuild the sheep and goat farming sector, halloumi will be lost,” he warned, urging cheesemakers and cattle farmers to support efforts to revive the industry.
Neofytou added that 95% of the association’s members were sheep and goat farmers, while stressing that the organisation represented the wider livestock sector, operated voluntarily and served no political party.
