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First halloumi PDO production certificate for a Turkish producer

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The Commission announcement does not name the company to which the certificate was granted by Bureau Veritas

Πρoτο πιστοποιητικπ&alpha ;ραγωγorς χαλλουμιού ΠΟΠ σε Τ/κ π&alpha ;ραγωγo

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For the first time, a Turkish Cypriot producer was granted a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certificate on Tuesday for the production of halloumi/hellim, based on the specifications of the file, according to a Commission announcement.

The Commission announcement does not name the company which was granted the certificate by Bureau Veritas, the internationally accredited body authorized to carry out the relevant official controls for both I/O and I/O producers.

As noted, the first halloumi producer from the Turkish community assessed by Bureau Veritas in February was found to be in compliance with the requirements set out in the PDO “Halloumi”/”Hellim” product specifications.

« Halloumi/Hellim is a common heritage of both communities of Cyprus. Today's important step demonstrates that the Turkish Cypriot community can reap tangible benefits from full EU membership and encourages Turkish Cypriots to pursue compliance with EU standards,” Mario Nava, Director General of Structural Reform Support at the EU, said in a statement. European Commission.

“In this context, the PDO certification process for Halloumi/Hellim works like a mini reunification laboratory. We remain committed to working with both communities of Cyprus, helping to restore trust between them and paving the way for the reunification of the island,” he added.

It is recalled that after the registration of the name “Halloumi”/”Hellim” as a PDO, only halloumi produced in Cyprus in accordance with the requirements of the relevant product specifications can be made available on the European Union market under this name. The PDO control and certification system by Bureau Veritas is implemented under the Commission's regulation for the registration of Halloumi/Hellim as a PDO.

Producers from both sides of the Green Line can apply for certification of their products. Producers established in the areas of the Republic of Cyprus under the effective control of the government have already received PDO certification.

The announcement also notes that the measures that the Turkish Cypriot community must fulfill in relation to with EU animal health and public health requirements, so that it can make full use of the EU quality system to move through the PDO product barrier through the Green Line.

Hallum/hellim was registered as a PDO in 2021 after a long period of consultation regarding the characteristics of the cheese and the ways in which T/C producers will obtain PDO certification.

By the end of 2024 the T/C community must implement measures related to the sanitary and phytosanitary standards of the EU, before the specific PDO cheese is allowed to be marketed by T/C producers in the EU. As stated in the relevant announcement, the Commission supports this process and the Turkish Cypriot dairy sector within the framework of the aid program for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Source: www.kathimerini.com.cy

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