Cattle Farmers in Southern Cyprus Demand Implementation of Milk Quota Agreement

Alithia newspaper reported in an article titled "Small Livestock Farmers Say No and Demand Implementation of the Agreed - Towards a 5-Year Extension for PDO Halloumi," that goat and sheep farmers are calling for the enforcement of the agreement, which stipulates that from July 2024, the milk quota for goats and sheep in the production of PDO halloumi should be 50% or more.

The newspaper mentioned that goat and sheep farmers are not only demanding respect for the agreement reached last year with major cheese producers, cow farmers, and the Ministry of Agriculture but are also opposing an additional five-year extension of the final quota. It was noted that goat and sheep farmers are preparing for effective actions in this context.

According to the report, Andreas Grigoriu, the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, mentioned the possibility of a new extension for the implementation of PDO halloumi during a radio program. He stated that the information about the quota being extended for five years is based on the fact that the relevant regulation provides for a "transition period" to start after the decision, not after the submission of the file. Grigoriu emphasized that there are still "five years" left in the current quota.

The newspaper also reported that if the outcome of the meeting between the Minister of Agriculture and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, does not convince goat and sheep farmers, they are planning to hold protest actions. Additionally, there is a possibility that goat and sheep farmers will send a protest letter to the relevant directorate of the European Commission.