Subsidies and 26 new state plots announced for sheep and goat farmers

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr Maria Panayiotou has announced support measures for sheep and goat farmers to enhance the Halloumi PDO. 

The Minister said that 26 state-owned plots and livestock plots will be available from 20 March for the construction of a new licensed livestock unit, with a capacity of over 800 productive sheep and goats each. She also said that subsidies of €600,000 would be approved for new farmers and €400,000 for existing farmers.

The strategic goal, she explained, is to create professional sheep and goat farming units, which will contribute towards increasing sheep and goat milk and reducing seasonality. She said that use of the 26 plots is estimated to lead to an increase of almost 21,000 sheep and goats, accelerating a rise in the production of sheep and goat milk.

She recalled that following a long meeting with representatives of sheep and goat farmers, it was decided yesterday that head subsidies will not be given based on the number of animals, as has been the case until now, but on the basis of the productivity of the animals, which by 2025 exceed 200 litres and deliver their milk for the purposes of making PDO halloumi cheese.

Panayiotou noted that in the coming years the minimum liters of productive animals will increase, so that there is further incentive.

She described today's announcement as a "very important tool" for sheep and goat farmers, adding that "it is perhaps the most important of a series of actions that we have taken, since it opens up prospects for further strengthening the sector, while also showing the clear and practical support of the state towards investments in the sector".

The Minister called on all involved to embrace this opportunity to strengthen sheep and goat farming in Cyprus and by extension "to strengthen PDO halloumi".

Referring to the reason, behind the aim to maintain halloumi as the main export food product, she said that this  is because 91% of all halloumi production is available for exports.

Therefore, she added, "maintaining the product as the main export product ensures the viability of all involved sheep and goat farmers, cattle farmers and cheese makers." 

Panayiotou also said that out of the total production of 45,000 tons, 41,000 tons are available for exports.