Cow farmers to protest over halloumi in October
Cow farmers in Cyprus are set to protest in October due to ongoing issues surrounding the production and regulation of halloumi, the island’s famous cheese. The primary source of their frustration stems from the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for halloumi, which mandates strict production rules, including the percentage of sheep, goat, and cow milk used.
Farmers argue that while they are held to these stringent regulations in the free areas of Cyprus, halloumi produced in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island is being sold internationally without adhering to these standards. They believe this creates unfair competition, as halloumi from the north is being subsidized by the European Union and not subjected to the same rules. Additionally, there are concerns that future requirements for halloumi to include higher proportions of sheep and goat milk will negatively impact cow farmers, as they rely on producing halloumi with higher cow milk content (Cyprus Mail).
The farmers have threatened to take action unless the government and the EU ensure fair treatment for all producers, regardless of their location on the island. They are planning to submit formal complaints to the President and the EU and may escalate their protests, potentially staging demonstrations outside government buildings(Cyprus Mail).
