EU sets date to vote on PDO status of hellim

TRNC industry chiefs have raised concerns over EU plans to outlaw production of hellim outside of Cyprus ahead of a vote by EU member states on Friday, March 26.

The EU Commission has set the date to vote on the “Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)” status for the cheese under its Turkish and Greek

names, six years after the proposal was made. If the plan receives final approval it will mean the product can only be made in Cyprus. Inspections on EUdestined hellim from the TRNC will be carried out by an “independent” body authorised by the Greek Cypriot Agriculture Ministry.

The South’s Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis was quoted as saying that the PDO represents an opportunity for Turkish Cypriots to “legally trade halloumi as long as it meets all the specifications”.

However, a senior source at the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry (KTSO) said any possible benefits remain unclear.

“There is encouragement from EU officials to accept the terms as they are, with the promise of additional funds being given to the TRNC when the terms aren’t even clear yet,” the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.

“The [Greek Cypriot side] is trying to become the main competent authority by cutting off our bargaining power. The mechanisms of the scheme are problematic and there are legal uncertainties . . . There will be no complaint mechanism in the North. This is a risk. The point of contact for [TRNC] producers will be the Greek Cypriot Agriculture Ministry.

“To be clear, the KTSO really wants this [PDO] . . . but we want it to be fair.”

A European Commission spokesperson told Cyprus Today: “Since 2015 . . . the Commission has been working to finalise its proposed [PDO] regulation. The objections raised in the course of this process have been thoroughly assessed . . . The proposal forms a package . . . to permit Halloumi/Hellim cheese to cross the Cyprus Green Line provided it is produced in full compliance with EU hygiene and safety standards.”