EU aid to Turkish Cypriot farmers

THE EUROPEAN Commission has signed grant contracts with 26 sheep and goat farmers in the north to help them pay for dairy hygiene equipment such as milking machines and cold tanks.

The contracts range from €10,000 to €25,000 in value and they cover up to 65 per cent of the farmer’s investment. The grant scheme activities will be implemented over a period of up to 12 months and the beneficiaries will receive thorough guidance from EU-financed experts on how to proceed, starting on the day of signing the contract.

“This pilot grant scheme serves to demonstrate how investment support may be delivered under the Rural Development pillar of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community,” said a statement yesterday.

It said such “cold-chain” equipment has, until now, been rarely present on sheep and goat farms in the northern part of Cyprus and as a result the quality of milk deliveries has suffered.

“We received a very enthusiastic response to this Pilot Grant Rural Development Grant Scheme,” commented Alessandra Viezzer, Co-ordinator of the Aid Programme. “Evidently, Turkish Cypriot sheep and goat farmers are keen to make the most of this excellent chance to raise the quality of their milk production to those levels required in the EU, thereby improving the quality of goods provided to the local consumer and for export.”

Further EU grant scheme opportunities for a full range of rural enterprises will be announced during the course of the next year.

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