The issue was raised to the Committee for an ex-officio examination, following a proposal by MPs Giannakis Gabriel, Andrea Pasiourtidis, Valentinos Fakontis, Christos Orfanidis, Christos Senekis and Charalambos Theopemptou.
He also said that during the meeting the Commission was informed that the problems with the chemical method used by the State Chemist, “were known to the government for years, but they did not do the slightest thing in the direction of developing a new method”. p>
He stated that “specific financial interests” had the opportunity to continue to outlaw “to the detriment of the use of milk in halloumi, but also to the detriment of the marketable quality of the most marketable product of Cyprus”. Finally, he called on the government to start very strict controls on the quotas of the different types of milk in the halloumi, but also to develop a new method of detecting milk powder, which according to the authorities is entirely possible.
DISY MP, Charalambos Pazaros, stated after the meeting that” the state health services can exercise control over these products, only by checking their marking in the retail market “. He explained that due to the free trade and the single market in the EU Member States, “the competent authorities of the state exercise control only in third countries”.
He added that in the last few days intensive inspections have been carried out and their results are expected within the next few days. “If it is found to be used in products that are not allowed, or a deterioration in the quality or standards of our dairy products, then yes, we will intervene,” he said. He also said that it is considered important that the Ministers of Commerce and Agriculture have already given the green light for the State Chemist to proceed with the investigation of new methods for detecting milk dust.
“We “We are ready to listen to all parties involved, to hear their views and complaints and to decide whether it is necessary to request new controls regarding the import and use of milk powder”, he concluded.
DIKO MP Christos Orfanidis spoke of mockery on the part of government departments, both to the Committee on Agriculture and to society.
“Until now, the state services have assured the Committee on Agriculture that the inspection of milk powder was carried out at regular intervals and in all places where the halloumi is prepared”, he said, but expressed his surprise for the information given to the Commission last week that government agencies could not carry out this audit.
“Today we were informed that a letter has been sent by the Ministry. “Georgia in January 2019, which states that the veterinary services carried out inspections in designated areas, without detecting the use of milk powder in the production of halloumi”, he said. Specifically, Mr. Orphanides referred to the letter of the Minister. Georgia, where 210 administrative inspections are reported in 70 facilities for a period of three years.
The Ministry also informed the Commission, according to Mr. Orfanidis, that in 2011 the General Laboratory necessary equipment to develop the method in the laboratory of composition of quality and nutritional value of food, which detects the presence of milk powder in the halloumi, in a percentage of more than 3%.
« “How is it possible that they told us last week that the use of milk powder could not be detected, while they also assure us in writing that these checks are being carried out?”, Mr. Orfanidis asked and concluded that “government departments must decide what they say”.
