According to the milestones, in 2029, the goat’s milk quota in PDO halloumi should rise to 51%. With or without canker sores it was an extremely difficult undertaking anyway. For many, a lost battle, if one considers that the measures taken to strengthen sheep and goat farming in the last 10 years, with the aim of securing Cypriot cheese during the re-evaluation of the file in 2029, did not work to an extent to ensure the achievement of the goal. Indicative of this, the retreat of the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, exactly one year ago to reduce the quota of goat and sheep milk compared to cow milk to 20% from 30% for the period when there are calvings and therefore more available milk and 15% for the remaining months.
Justifying her decision at the time, this minister explained that out of the total production of 45,000 tons of halloumi, 41,000 tons are available for export. Of these, approximately 39,000 tons are mixed halloumi (PDO). He had said that if the quota were not changed, total annual production of hallumin was estimated to fall by up to 40%, putting exports at risk.
Last October, in the hope of reversing the situation in the medium term and increasing the production of goat and sheep milk to save the PDO, after all there are three years left until the re-evaluation, the Government decided to support sheep and goat farmers with €30 million. Less than two months later, foot-and-mouth disease appeared in the occupied territories. But the bell did not ring in the free areas. Today, 35 days after the – official – appearance of the disease in the areas controlled by the KD, foot-and-mouth disease, despite killings and vaccinations, continues its invasion, endangering the sheep and goat farming of the entire island. Showing that management is moving in the wrong direction. With the responsibilities being shared half-way between Government and breeders.
The moment is really critical. It concerns the safeguarding of the second export product of the country that is at war with international competition, it concerns the protection of the industry that invested tens of millions, attracting significant investments from abroad as well, it concerns the safeguarding of more than 15 thousand jobs. It concerns the very economy and prosperity of the place.
These days, due to the anniversaries, we will hear a lot about the importance of national games. In this context it is good to remember that the existence of national consciousness requires constant struggles to save the heritage of our past. And halloumi or hellim is a key element of the intangible cultural heritage of Cyprus, inextricably linked to the tradition, history and customary life of our country. A defeat in Brussels will be a national loss. For all Cypriots. If there is even now a trace of national consciousness, show the seriousness that is appropriate to save the halloumi.