The Coordinating Committee of the Union of Sheep and Goat Producer Groups has launched a fierce attack against the government, and particularly the Minister of Agriculture, over the new decree reducing the minimum proportion of sheep and goat milk for the production of Halloumi PDO to 15%.
In a statement, the Committee denounces that, despite having requested a 48-hour deadline to study the government’s proposal and submit documented positions, the decree was issued before the consultation process had even been completed.
The sheep and goat farmers speak of “a clear devaluation of an entire sector”, arguing that the government completely ignored their concerns, even though, as they note, they are the main producers of the raw material for Halloumi PDO. At the centre of their criticism is the Minister of Agriculture, whom they accuse of “cutting and sewing the quota to the cheesemakers’ orders”, arguing that the continuous reductions favour the use of cow’s milk at the expense of sheep and goat milk.
The statement also links the new decision to the difficulties faced by the sector due to the measures against foot-and-mouth disease, referring to a lack of empathy from the state towards livestock farmers who, as they say, are living a “nightmare” with the slaughter of animals and the financial consequences.
At the same time, the producers dispute the data on which the decision was based, describing the relevant software for monitoring milk production as now “unreliable”. They also argue that, while the quota was being reduced in previous years, Halloumi exports continued to increase, a fact which, in their view, disproves the argument about a shortage of sheep and goat milk.
Their reference to cheesemakers is also particularly pointed, as they ironically describe them as “partners”, noting that they have experienced over time a “supposed cooperation and support”.
The confrontation over Halloumi PDO is expected to intensify in the coming days, as the new decree comes into force on 15 May, while organised sheep and goat farmers warn that such interventions “manipulate the market and abolish any sense of justice among producers”.
