Christodoulides to meet halloumi stakeholders in April
Fact: The deadline for goat and sheep milk to make up half of PDO halloumi has been extended to 2029.
Halloumi
EU extends delays to changes to halloumi for five years
The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council approved the extension of the percentage of goat and sheep milk used in halloumi production for another five years. The ratio of goat and sheep milk in halloumi will increase from 10% to 19% in five years. The extension was endorsed through the adoption of provisions in a new regulation for Geographical Indications and quality schemes. The regulation also includes provisions to strengthen the role of producers and provide greater protection for Geographical Indications.
Halloumi production rules extended until 2029
The Council of Agriculture Ministers has approved a new Regulation extending the proportion of milk used for halloumi production until 2029, following an agreement signed by cheese producers, cattle farmers, and goat and sheep farmers in July 2022. The minimum ratio of goat and sheep milk in halloumi production will increase from 25% to 50% within five years.
Yiayia knew best: How mindful eating and tradition can save lives
One in three Cypriots is overweight, with 36.1% of Cypriots aged 20 to 80 classified as overweight and 27.8% as obese. Among these, 46.9% of men and 26% of women are overweight, while 28.8% of men and 26.9% of women are obese. These statistics were reported by the Cyprus Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists ahead of World Obesity Day.
The Cypriot village with a language of its own
Tom Cleaver visited Kormakitis, a Maronite village in Cyprus, known for its unique language, Sanna, which is a derivative of Arabic brought to the island around 1,200 years ago from Mesopotamia. Kormakitis, once the largest of four majority-Maronite villages, has around 300 residents and is located in Cyprus’ northwestern corner. The village is significant as the spiritual capital of Maronite Cypriots, who are in full communion with the Catholic Church of Rome. The local church features two boxy cuboid bell towers and an interior with a statue of Saint George and writing in the Syriac script. The visit was organized by the Cyprus Bilingualism Association and the Cyprus Linguistics Society to highlight the linguistic uniqueness of Kormakitis.
A strategic EU role for the Cyprus problem
The text discusses the flaws in the traditional negotiations process regarding the Cyprus problem and suggests that a solution requires a slow, incremental process of “deliberative democracy” and strategic international coordination to incentivize leaders towards a negotiated settlement. The EU and the US play crucial roles in this process. The text highlights how the US improved its relationship with Greece, making it a strategic partner in southeastern Europe through military and energy developments, suggesting a similar approach could be applied to Cyprus. The text proposes enhancing Cyprus’s role in humanitarian assistance as a geopolitical incentive, mentioning the Republic of Cyprus’s involvement in evacuations and support in various crises. It discusses the EU’s engagement with Cyprus through the Task Force for the Turkish Cypriot community and suggests that strategic political decisions on Cyprus could be better managed by placing them under the Secretariat-General of the European Commission. The text concludes with the author’s credentials and involvement in Cyprus negotiations.
Halloumi decision post EU court ruling in February
The EU Court is expected to issue its decision over the halloumi appeal on February 21. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced that the government will hold a meeting with all stakeholders involved in halloumi production after this date. The EU is ruling on a lawsuit filed by cow breeders and cheesemakers challenging halloumi’s status as a Product of Designated Origin. Sheep and goat farmers have been asked to submit their suggestions on how to increase the production of sheep and goat milk by the following Friday. The ministry has measures in place through the Rural Development Programme and is working on additional ones. After the court’s decision, President Nikos Christodoulides will convene a meeting with all stakeholders to announce the government’s decisions.
Halloumi decision post EU court ruling in February
The EU Court is expected to issue a decision on the halloumi appeal after February 21. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced that the government will make decisions regarding halloumi during a meeting with all stakeholders after the court’s decision. The EU is ruling on a lawsuit filed by cow breeders and cheesemakers challenging halloumi’s status as a Product of Designated Origin. Sheep and goat farmers will submit their suggestions on increasing milk production by the following Friday. The president will convene a meeting with stakeholders in the halloumi production sector after the court’s decision.
Decisions on halloumi after that of the European Court
The Minister of Agriculture mentioned a meeting with all the parties involved under the President of the Republic in order to make decisions on the matter. The government will make decisions on the issue of halloumi in a broad consultation with all stakeholders after February 21, when the decision of the European Court will be issued. The Ministry already has a series of measures through the Rural Development Program, but is also working on others. After the court's decision on February 21, the President of the Republic will convene a meeting with all stakeholders in the halloumi production sector, including cheesemakers, cattle farmers, and goat farmers, where the government's decisions will be announced. The goat farmers will submit their recommendations in writing to the President. The goat farmers are waiting to see the issue discussed in the meeting after February 21. The goat farmers believe that it is feasible to increase goat milk production in order to increase the quota for halloumi.
Sheep, goat farmers slam halloumi decisions
The sheep and goat farmers’ coordinating committee expressed dissatisfaction with decisions made at a recent presidential meeting with cheesemakers regarding halloumi production. They support the full application of EU regulations governing PDO halloumi. The government proposed extending the validity of a decree regulating milk ratios in halloumi to avoid strikes by cheesemakers. The dispute involves differing evaluations of production feasibility and milk availability between the agriculture ministry and cheesemakers. Cattle farmers are also concerned about the impact on cow milk production. Cyprus has a transitional period until July 2024 for the content of PDO halloumi.