Angelos Nikolaou
The Ministry of Agriculture is taking a series of measures to strengthen the support of Turkish Cypriot producers and manufacturers for the production of PDO halloumi, in an effort to enable them to distribute certified products through legal points throughout Europe. A letter is expected to be sent to the DG in the coming days. Agriculture Committee in relation to the actions taken to date and what the ministry intends to do.
All this in the wake of yesterday's revelations of “F” about the letter sent by Ersin Tatar to the President of the Commission Ursula von der Layen, in an attempt to remove powers from the Ministry of Agriculture and to succeed in assigning the role of “responsible »For the halloumi at the T / C Chamber of Commerce.
SEE ALSO: Tatar Bomb in Halloumi – Letter to Commission
It is noted that an attempt was made by the ministry to bring to the same table those involved in the production of halloumi in the occupied territories, the competent authorities of the Republic and the official control body Bureau Veritas, however, fell into the negative position of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce.
Nevertheless, the ministry will publish in the Turkish press for information on the procedures that must be done in order to secure the relevant approvals at the level of farm and production of the product. Furthermore, the e / k side plans to organize a training seminar in the occupied areas for proper, fair and equal treatment. It is pointed out that the competent Authority has an obligation for equal treatment of all potential participants in the process, provided that they meet the specifications.
The first official of Georgia, Socrates Socrates, speaking to “F”, stated that “on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, we have made sure that all relevant documents for the PDO halloumi are available in Greek and Turkish, so that all Cypriots can participate in the audit certification plan. . Furthermore, he stated, in order to facilitate Turkish Cypriot producers for the conclusion of contracts with the Bureau Veritas, we expressed readiness to participate in meetings with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber, but without a positive response. The Republic of Cyprus has informed the Commission of its intentions for the next steps. These concern the promotion of an announcement in the Turkish Cypriot press and the organization of an educational seminar for Turkish Cypriot producers at the premises of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber. Following these steps, the Greek Cypriot side expects the Turkish Cypriots to apply for approval.
Regarding the concerns expressed by cheesemakers that large quantities of halloumi will seal the European market with the seal of the occupiers, Mr. Socrates said that there are control mechanisms at both national and European level to prevent such phenomena.
