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It is with great pleasure that I am visiting today the beautiful community of Prastio Avdimos and the exhibition of local products, with halloumi as the main product, on behalf of the President of the Republic, who, due to other unfulfilled obligations, could not be here with us.
The exhibition is an excellent initiative of the Prastio Avdimou Community Council aimed at informing the younger generations about local, traditional products, especially halloumi. The identity of a place is undoubtedly characterised by its customs, traditions and culinary culture. Local traditional products, especially halloumi, are living relics of our island's agriculture, livestock farming and cuisine. The production of halloumi in particular is simple yet unique. Its quality is unquestionable. Its name is known throughout the world and is inextricably linked to Cyprus. It would not be an exaggeration to say that halloumi is the "diamond" of traditional Cypriot agricultural products and the pioneer in opening up paths to international markets for other Cypriot agricultural products.
The community of Prasteio Avdimou, as an important agricultural and livestock farming region, contributes greatly to the preservation of traditional Cypriot products. Besides, the initiative for the organization of the exhibition is a clear proof of the region's effort to preserve and pass on the tradition it has inherited.
In October 2021, the European Commission, recognizing the specificity and uniqueness of our product, registered the name Halloumi in the register of the European Union as a Protected Designation of Origin product.
In October 2021, the European Commission, recognizing the specificity and uniqueness of our product, registered the name Halloumi in the register of the European Union as a Protected Designation of Origin product. This registration is a huge achievement and a great success for the Republic of Cyprus, the agricultural economy and the economy of our country in general. In addition to the European recognition of the added value of Halloumi, the registration contributes primarily to ensuring its quality and protecting it from imitation products, which until recently usurped its name and reputation. Products that have not been produced in Cyprus cannot circulate in the European market bearing the Halloumi name.
The demand for Halloumi from foreign markets is steadily increasing, with exports amounting, in the first quarter of 2023, to 111.8 million euros. The great importance of this event becomes clearer if one considers that this amount corresponds to 20.49% of exports of Cypriot products. Nevertheless, this success should in no way be a cause for complacency. We should not underestimate and downplay the importance of maintaining and preserving the high quality of our product, which is directly linked to the high levels of demand for it on the markets. The quality of Halloumi, as stated in the registration specifications, is largely due to the local goat and sheep's milk used in its manufacture.
However, there is no doubt that preserving the quality and value of this product requires a collective effort on the part of both Halloumi producers and milk producers. In this effort, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment will always be of assistance. Recognizing the valuable contribution, but also the enormous difficulties faced by the sheep and goat sector in Cyprus, within the framework of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, we have set as a priority the provision of support and additional incentives to our sheep and goat farmers. In particular, I refer to the Interventions for "Investments for modernisation, improving the competitiveness of the overall performance and sustainability of farms", for "Investments contributing to environmental protection and animal welfare", and for "Investments for the treatment and management of animal waste". Additional incentives are also provided through the Intervention for "Establishment of young farmers" in the livestock sector, while the Intervention entitled "Animal Welfare" also concerns our sheep and goat farmers, as a premium is given for commitments that promote the welfare of sheep and goats.
The Intervention for "Coupled Support for Sheep and Goats" is designed to provide sheep and goat farmers with an additional income support.
The Intervention for "Coupled Support for Sheep and Goats" is designed to provide sheep and goat farmers with an additional income support.
The Intervention for "Coupled Support for Sheep and Goats" is designed to provide sheep and goat farmers with an additional income support. The Intervention is linked to the number of animals and the quantity of milk produced and delivered to dairies and producer groups, and takes into account the difficult economic conditions that have developed in international markets, particularly in feed prices and other inputs in the sector.
Friends,
In conclusion, I would like to assure you that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, as well as myself personally, are on the side of Cypriot farmers. Only by working together will we be able to achieve our goals and upgrade the Cypriot agri-food sector. Only in this way will we be able to improve the competitiveness of Cypriot local products and revitalise the Cypriot countryside.
Once again I congratulate the organisers for this beautiful exhibition.
I wish everyone a lot of fun. Thank you.
(MGM)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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