The leading Turkish Cypriot producer of ‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/’Hellim’ cheese has been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certificate under the EU’s quality scheme, the European Commission announced on Tuesday 28 March.
After registration of the name ‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/’Hellim’ as a PDO, only Halloumi/Hellim produced on the island of Cyprus in accordance with the requirements of the terms of reference may be marketed in the European Union under the name ‘Χαλλουμι (Halloumi)/’Hellim’. Producers on both sides of the green line have the opportunity to apply for certification of their products as PDO.
The first inspection in the Turkish Cypriot community was carried out in February this year by Bureau Veritas, an internationally accredited body responsible for carrying out the relevant official inspections on the whole island. The first producer from the Turkish Cypriot community was found to meet the requirements of the terms of reference of the PDO ‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/’Hellim’ (see EUROPE 12696/2) specification.
The PDO control and certification system by Bureau Veritas has been in place since the implementation of the Commission Regulation registering ‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/’Hellim’ as a PDO. A number of producers in the areas under the effective control of the Cypriot government have already received PDO certification under this scheme.
The Turkish Cypriot community still needs to implement measures related to EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards, before the Turkish Cypriot producers’ PDO ‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/’Hellim’ cheese can be allowed to be traded in the EU. This authorisation is expected by the end of 2024. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)