The ‘Technical assistance to improve the implementation of food safety standards and disease crisis preparedness’ project (TCc Food Safety Project - TCc FSP), funded by the EU within the scope of the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, continues to support farms and TCc ‘veterinary services’ on how best to organise and implement ‘certification’ of farms as a part of ‘milk channeling’ scheme activity.
Only farms ‘certified’ against the hygiene standards can be suppliers of milk to be used in Halloumi/Hellim production, according to the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) requirements for Halloumi/Hellim.
The TCc FSP has been advising potential farmers on the right steps to become a ‘certified’, and, by that, a PDO-eligible farm, giving a detailed explanation of what procedures the farmers need to follow, how they can receive support from the Project itself, and explaining the role of local bodies in the ‘certification’ process.
The TCc FSP therefore offers support to farms to become ‘certified’, and to become involved in PDO Halloumi/Hellim production chain. To be part of this process, it is important to meet all animal health, animal welfare, and public health standards.
After the 3 months of inspections, 6 bovine and 5 ovine farms were ‘certified’, and 2 dairy establishments were ‘approved’ by the TCc ‘veterinary services`. New farmers are encouraged to participate in the process. The project experts together with the local bodies emphasize that farmers will be inspected for traceability of animals and feed, recording usage of veterinary medicinal products, and the hygiene of milking and milk storage. All procedures at the farm must be consistently implemented and recorded.
The TCc FSP started cooperating with 18 more potential farmers and will continue to visit, evaluate, and support farmers interested in the ‘certification’ and the production of PDO-eligible milk.