Farming organisations complain about faux-halloumi import

Cyprus’ farming organisations on Tuesday demanded the ministries of trade and agriculture take measures to stop the import of a white cheese similar to halloumi.

A letter on behalf of the island’s farmers was sent to the Minister of Commerce Yiorgos Lakkotrypis and the Minister of Agriculture Kostas Kadis, the Panagrotikos Organistion of Cyprus said.

In the letter, they demanded the ministries investigate the import of a white cheese containing ingredients similar to halloumi in supermarkets and restaurants, while also demanding measures against its import to the island.

Halloumi protection will only be achieved by registering it as a protected designation of origin (PDO) and the farming organisations insisted that the government needs to take immediate action for the EU approval on the matter.