The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (MARD) welcomes today's announcement by the European Commission on the activation of the informal bi-communal group on "Halloumi" / Hellim" Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The establishment of the informal bicommunal group is provided for both by the European Commission's Implementing Regulation 591/2021, under which Halloumi was registered as a PDO, and by the European Commission's Implementing Decision 586/2021 on the crossing of the Green Line by products of animal origin.
This group, which will be composed of representatives of the production and trade sector, without having an executive character, will monitor and exchange views and experiences on the operation of the inspection system for the crossing of the product "Halloumi" / Hellim" PDO through the Green Line and other aspects relating to the product.
It is noted that in order for the products produced by Turkish Cypriot producers to be able to cross the Green Line, they must meet all the manufacturing specifications of the Halloumi / Hellim PDO product. They must also meet the European Union's Public and Animal Health standards as laid down in European legislation. Compliance with the above provisions will be monitored by a special control mechanism established by the Republic of Cyprus. It is recalled that the Competent Authority (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment) has already received the first application from a Turkish Cypriot cheese company for inclusion in the PDO system and control.
With the registration of the product "Halloumi / Hellim" as a PDO, for the first time since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004, the acquis communautaire is applied in a structured manner throughout Cyprus, with the assistance of the European Union and under the supervision of the Republic of Cyprus. The Ministry of Agriculture considers the case of halalumi as a successful example where all producers in Cyprus can benefit from the application of the acquis communautaire throughout Cyprus.
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