Organised cattle farmers in Cyprus have written to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment expressing concerns about the production and export of halloumi cheese from the island’s occupied areas.
In a letter, the Cattle Farmers Coordinating Committee argues that halloumi produced in the north, which is not a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, floods the global market without proper controls. They question how the Ministry plans to address this, particularly considering reports of EU subsidies for such production, which allegedly does not meet PDO standards.
They also criticise the lack of transparency surrounding the implementation of the Halloumi PDO.
They specifically request information on the following:
- The government’s plan for the transition period concerning milk type percentages in halloumi production.
- The government’s position on milk type percentages after the transition period ends in 2029.
- Studies supporting the government’s decisions on PDO implementation and its impact on the sustainability of the cattle farming and dairy sectors.
- A study on strategies to increase halloumi exports.
The letter also criticises a recent decree establishing minimum quotas for goat and sheep milk in halloumi production.
The farmers say the decree was issued without proper consultation and does not reflect the actual milk production capacity. They urge the Ministry to base quotas on realistic figures.
The Committee declined an invitation to a meeting on July 16 to discuss potential incentives for the sector. They believe they did not formulate the proposed measures and request a clearer understanding of the government’s plans before engaging further.
The Ministry of Agriculture has not yet responded publicly to the letter.
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