Halloumi: The Turkish Cypriots would not be ready for 1st October
While there is one month left for the halloumi to be released on the European market, the preparations in north Cyprus have not yet been completed, according to a report in the Turkish Cypriot newspaper “Yeni Duzen” on 06/09/21.
According to the newspaper, almost five months have passed since the European Parliament registered halloumi as a protected designation of origin (PDO) product and it has been decided to make it available in the European market on 1 October.
“While the countdown for the south has begun, the authorities in the north have signalled that ‘we are not ready yet,'” the paper reports.
“Yeni Duzen” also reports that during the 5 months since April 12, when the decision was made, almost no preparatory steps have been taken in north Cyprus.
Mustafa Ergüven, Deputy Secretary General of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, said that the auditing company, which is considering issues such as the composition of the product, has not yet contacted them and added that they are waiting for information from the company on the relevant arrangements that should be applied in factories.
Ali Kamacıoğlu, President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, said that neither side was ready for the process that will start on 1st October. They asked the EU Commission for an extension. Kamacıoğlu argued that producers in the north need at least 10 years to meet the required conditions.
The President of Animal Producers and Breeders Association Mustafa Naimoğluları said that there were shortcomings on many issues and argued that they would not be ready for 1st October. Stating that he found the 51% milk rate determined by the EU commission to be excessive, Naimoğluları warned that the preparations could not be completed for many years under such conditions.
