EU Approves Extension for Halloumi Production Standards
In a significant move for the dairy industry, the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels has given the green light to extend the current milk composition standards for halloumi cheese. The decision, announced by the agriculture ministry on Tuesday, allows for the continuation of the present ratio of goat and sheep milk in halloumi production for an additional five years.
As it stands, halloumi cheese must contain at least 10 percent goat and sheep milk, with the remainder being cows’ milk. This ratio is now set to increase to 19 percent over the next five years. The extension was granted as part of a broader adoption of new regulations focused on Geographical Indications and quality schemes.
The unanimous adoption of these provisions means that the deadline for changing the milk ratio in halloumi has been pushed back to 2029, from the previous cutoff of July 2024. This move comes after an agreement reached in July 2022 among cheese producers, cattle farmers, and goat and sheep farmers.
The new regulation not only extends the timeline but also offers enhanced protection for Geographical Indications. It empowers producers by granting them more control over their geographical indications and the ability to participate in discussions related to intellectual property rights enforcement.
Additionally, EU member states have the authority to recognize certain producer groups as having exclusive rights to manage their geographical indications. This development is poised to strengthen the position of producers within the market.
The regulation is expected to be signed shortly and will be published in the Official Journal of the EU. It will come into force 20 days following its publication, marking a new chapter for the production and protection of one of Cyprus’s most iconic cheeses.
