BRITAIN yesterday denied that it has imposed an embargo on the import of halloumi following the foot and mouth outbreak.
According to a local press report, restrictions had been placed on the cheese after the UK issued a circular published by the Department of Environment.
A statement by the British High Commission in Nicosia however, read: “Reports that the United Kingdom has imposed an embargo on Cyprus halloumi are wrong. All the measures taken by the UK in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth in Cyprus were the result of decisions by the EU Commission. The action taken by the UK is consistent with the measures taken by other member states; there are no unilateral measures.”
The press report also stated that an embargo has also been imposed by Australia, which has been searching incoming visitors from Cyprus and their luggage.
Following an incident of foot and mouth disease reported in Germany, the country has proceeded to destroy the samples sent from Cyprus to a German laboratory for the purpose of identifying the genotype of the virus, as well as banning the Veterinary Services from sending new samples.
When asked by Phileleftheros to comment, Agriculture Minister Photis Photiou said that the claims of the embargo imposed by the UK had been investigated and that the reply by the British has been that the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
The Minister, however, added that a problem with Australia persisted, while he confirmed that following Germany’s actions there had been a postponement of the programme aimed at combating the epidemic.
Last Wednesday, Cyprus was allowed to continue exporting halloumi despite being categorised as a high-risk zone by the European Commission.
The EU body has agreed on a standstill on all livestock movements and no live cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, or products from these animals, can be dispatched from Cyprus. Other member states cannot send any such live animals to Cyprus.
However, the decision allows certain derogations whereby certain safe products will still be allowed to be exported.
One such product is halloumi, which is heat-treated before leaving the dairy. Halloumi is made with milk that’s been pasteurised, or heat-treated, to get rid of harmful micro-organisms.
Cyprus is not a major meat exporter, but halloumi is one of the country’s key farm exports, along with potatoes and citrus fruits.
Halloumi exports totalled almost £17 million last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce.
