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Agriculture Minister Announces New Decree On PDO Halloumi Milk Quota

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 9, 2024

In a significant policy shift, Cyprus’ Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced a new decree adjusting the milk quotas to produce Halloumi with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. This decree, effective from February 2025, aims to bolster the authenticity and market strength of Cyprus’ primary export product by increasing the goat and sheep milk content from 25% to 30% in the Halloumi mixture.

Addressing Seasonal Variability and Production Standards

The decree marks a pivotal change in the agricultural landscape, reducing seasonality from six to five months and setting an annual average quota of 23% for goat and sheep milk, up from the previous 18%. This adjustment benefits both seasonal and year-round goat and sheep farmers, providing a more stable production environment and aligning with European Union environmental commitments by limiting cow milk usage in Halloumi production.

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Technological Integration for Enhanced Monitoring

The introduction of advanced software for tracking goat and sheep milk, slated for October 2024, signifies a forward-looking approach. This system will gather critical data to inform future quota decisions, ensuring that the decree is data-driven and responsive to production realities.

Financial Incentives and Infrastructure Development

The government has introduced financial measures to support the agricultural sector in tandem with the quota adjustments. These include targeted incentives for increasing goat and sheep milk production, infrastructure improvements, genetic enhancement, and the expansion of production units. Such initiatives are expected to modernise the industry, making it more resilient and competitive.

Strategic Goals and Long-Term Vision

Minister Panayiotou emphasized the decree’s alignment with the broader goals of sustaining PDO Halloumi’s status and ensuring its market strength. The five-year transitional period granted by the European Commission, ending in 2029, allows Cyprus to gradually meet the EU Regulation 2021/591 requirements, which mandate a minimum of 51% goat and sheep milk in Halloumi production.

By actively engaging with stakeholders and implementing these comprehensive measures, Cyprus is set to reinforce its position in the global Halloumi market. This decree is a strategic move towards balancing traditional practices with modern demands, ensuring the long-term viability of an iconic Cypriot product.

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Industry Uproar Over Reduction in Electric Vehicle Subsidies

by News Editor

April 26, 2025

The recent move by the government to curtail subsidies for electric vehicles has stirred significant discontent among car importers in Cyprus. The Department of Road Transport (DRT) has slashed available grants under the Electric Vehicle Promotion Scheme as of April 23, leading to a rapid depletion of the subsidy pool and leaving many potential applicants disappointed.

Importers’ Concerns

According to the Cyprus Motor Vehicle Importers Association (CMVIA), the lack of transparency and failure to engage stakeholders prior to the decision have eroded trust in the government’s commitments. Importers now find themselves facing a precarious situation, with substantial stocks of electric vehicles and mounting promotional expenditures.

Public Interest and EU Compliance

Although the scheme aimed to support the transition to zero-emission transport until 2025, the DRT states that the curtailing of funds was necessary to comply with European funding terms, which warned against delays in vehicle deliveries. This decision has fueled market uncertainty despite the application portal experiencing dynamic changes.

Industry’s Ongoing Demand

The CMVIA refutes any claims suggesting waning interest in electric vehicles, underscoring the rapid exhaustion of available grants as proof of substantial demand. They highlight the importance of meeting Cyprus’s green transition targets, including putting 80,000 electric vehicles on roads by 2030.

While the total budget for subsidies saw an increase to €36.5 million in 2023, thanks to additional funding, ongoing difficulties in timely vehicle distribution have led to premature closures of applications. In response, CMVIA has called for urgent dialogue with the Minister of Transport to reassess the decision, fearing that it could endanger the future of e-mobility in Cyprus.