Filenews 16 July 2022
The Ministry of Agriculture took two actions yesterday in relation to the issue of halloumi. First, he sent a letter to the Cyprus Cheesemakers Association and all registered cheese factories separately, warning them of the start of market controls to determine whether the products bearing the name halloumi come from cheesemakers who have joined the control and certification system for the production of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Secondly, he informed the Commission that the cheesemaker, whose products were found in a supermarket in Germany, is not certified for the production of halloumi PDO and is prohibited from selling products with reference to the name halloumi. In addition, the cheese factory was informed about the immediate withdrawal of all its products from the Cypriot, European, and even the market of third countries bearing the name halloumi.
After the above, cheesemakers have the opportunity to proceed with a change of the marking on the packaging on the market, at national and Community level, by removing or even overlapping the name halloumi. It is noted that the next step is to inform supermarkets and the Department of Customs and Excise. Supermarkets will be informed about the detection of halloumi on their shelves that are not PDO and will be asked to remove them. In the event of a recheck, sanctions will be imposed in addition to cheesemakers and shopkeepers. As far as the Department of Customs and Excise is concerned, it will be informed so as not to allow either the movement or the marketing of products bearing the name halloumi and coming from uncertified dairies.
It is noted that nine months have already passed since October 1, 2021, when cheesemakers had to join the system of control and certification of the protected designation of origin (PDO), but most of them did not do so by hiding behind various tricks that they could have halloumi under the brand.
The government's tolerance, until it got the opinion of the Legal Service, further dethroned the cheesemakers, who had the impression that there was no determination to implement the regulation. However, on the basis of the opinion of May 27, 2022, cheesemakers were informed yesterday that the Ministry of Agriculture is taking all the actions provided for under the legislation for the full implementation of the standard and protection of PDO halloumi.
Those cheesemakers who wish to produce halloumi should immediately take the necessary actions to integrate and obtain the relevant certification from the Bureau Veritas control body (BV). The Ministry indicates that it is not permissible to use a name registered as A PDO in products that do not comply with the specifications of the relevant protected name. According to information from "F", BV is willing to employ additional staff in order to immediately carry out checks in those dairies that are interested in joining the certification system from Monday, in order to ensure their approval in less than five days.
In the event that it is found that products bearing the name halloumi are in circulation, in the domestic market and in foreign markets, without their producer having received the required certification, then the provisions and penalties provided for by EU and national legislation, as well as the relevant legislation applied by the Department of Customs and Excise, will be applied.
It is noted that yesterday the president of the CCCI informed the Minister of Agriculture about the proposal formulated in the joint meeting held by cheesemakers, cow breeders and sheep and goat farmers and there was disagreement only on the issue of the minimum quota of sheep's and goat's milk after July 2024.
