The problems arising in relation to the marketing of halloumi as a product with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and measures to support producers were discussed by the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, which met on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the Committee, Giannakis Gavriel, said that the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture are backing certain economic interests to prevent the implementation of halalumi as a PDO. The Ministry of Commerce's failure to carry out controls shows the government's political decision to support these interests and that is why the implementation of the legislation is not proceeding, he added.
Halloumi is the only product in which the increased production costs are not passed on to the consumer, he said. "What is happening with the halalouli file is or is not a monopolistic situation?" he questioned and expressed hope that controls will be increased, the standard, European regulation and Cypriot legislation will be applied. "We will lose the white gold -as halloumi is called in Cyprus- and let everyone take their responsibilities," he concluded.
DISY MP Haralambos Pazaros called on the parties involved to cooperate in order to close the issue of the quota in accordance with the conditions set by the European Commission. "It is up to us to protect halalouli as our national product. It is a pity to lose what we have gained so far because our organisations cannot agree and comply with the criteria set," he said.
"We also call on the two relevant Ministries, Agriculture and Trade, to cooperate and coordinate better to overcome any problems for the good of our country."
Source: CNA
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