EU passes vote for hellim PDO status
THE European Commission has rubber-stamped an application made by the Greek Cypriot authorities for hellim to become a protected product.
Last month EU members states voted to grant the cheese “protected designation of origin” (PDO) status after a years-long process. Cyprus Today reported how Turkish Cypriot producers and animal farmers had concerns over how the PDO will be implemented.
Following the vote the European Commission announced on Monday that it had adopted a package of two measures regarding hellim.
“First, the Commission registered Halloumi/Hellim as a [PDO], protecting the valuable name against imitation and misuse across the EU,” a written press statement said.
“Only Halloumi/Hellim produced in Cyprus according to the product specification is now allowed to use the registered name, bringing clear economic benefits to the island.”
The move allows producers of this “iconic Cypriot cheese, famous around the world for its characteristic texture, folded appearance, and suitability for serving grilled or panfried, based anywhere on the island of Cyprus to benefit from the PDO status” the EC said.
The EC, in a bid to help “producers in the Turkish
Cypriot community draw full benefits from the protection” also adopted a measure to allow “the PDO product to cross the Green Line, provided that the cheese and milk from which it was made has met all EU animal and public health standards”.
The EC statement continued: “This historic package that gives effect to the Common Understanding for Halloumi/Hellim reached in 2015, to be implemented pending the reunification of Cyprus.
“The measure accompanying the registration of Halloumi/Hellim as a PDO aims at ensuring that the animal and public health situation in the EU as well as food safety are not compromised.
“It also establishes the conditions for trade to take
place including provisions on controls. In addition, the milk processing establishments will have to be in compliance with the relevant public health rules.”
The EC said that the main features of the package are:
“Only Halloumi/Hellim produced on the island of Cyprus and according to the traditional recipe can now be marketed in the European Union under that name.
“An internationally accredited inspection body will be appointed to conduct PDO inspections throughout Cyprus. The inspection body will be responsible for ensuring that producers respect the traditional recipe.
“A workable arrangement will be set up to ensure efficient PDO controls throughout Cyprus, which will be closely monitored by the Commission.
“A measure lifting the prohibitions of movements of certain animal products on the island of Cyprus, pending its reunification, and laying down certain conditions for the movement of those products to allow the production of Halloumi/ Hellim (PDO) across all Cyprus.
“A private inspection body will be appointed to conduct inspections of farms and dairies in the Turkish Cypriot community to ensure that they comply with all EU health and hygiene rules. Only Halloumi/Hellim that meets all EU health standards can be traded across the Green Line.”
Elisa Ferreira, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, who is also responsible for the Cyprus Settlement Support, said: “This is a major achievement with political and economic significance for the entire island of Cyprus. It shows that mutually beneficial solutions are possible, as well as the important role of the Commission in bringing them about. The implementation of these arrangements, in a spirit of cooperation, should contribute to bolster trust and confidence between the two Cypriot communities.
“The [European] Commission will continue to play an active role with a view to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.”
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said: “I am delighted that Halloumi/ Hellim has entered the register of PDOs and PGIs [protected geographical indication], joining the finest products of Europe’s high quality agriculture and food.
“The application to all producers on Cyprus willing to adhere to the scheme is the fruit of many years of patient and careful work on all sides.
“This PDO registration arrangement ensures equal and fair treatment for all producers on each side of the Green Line, and will finally guarantee that consumers throughout the European Union can identify this authentic Cypriot product.”
Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, said the “historic decision” had been adopted after “years of dedicated work”.
“With the unanimous endorsement of all Member States, today we safeguard not only a unique national product of Cyprus, but also our Union’s strict sanitary protections, which are paramount for food safety,” she said.
“The Commission has developed this framework in agreement with Cyprus’s competent authorities, and is fully committed to supporting its successful implementation and oversight.
“The two communities in
Cyprus can now reap the economic benefits of this decision, pending the reunification of the country, while ensuring that our stringent food safety standards are upheld.”
The EC statement added that “in order to protect animal and public health throughout Cyprus” it will “assist the Turkish Cypriot dairy sector to reach compliance as soon as possible with EU animal and public health standards”.
The EC “envisages intensifying its support to the Turkish Cypriot dairy sector under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community” and “foresees the possibility of setting up a Working Group on Halloumi/Hellim” which will be “chaired by the Commission and composed of representatives from the two Cypriot communities” and will “review the implementation” of the PDO decision and regulation.