Professor Malas warns of systemic risk to halloumi production in Cyprus
In Cyprus, halloumi cheese production faces a systemic risk due to the excessive concentration of milk production on a small number of farms. This was stated by Professor Stavros Malas, who heads the scientific committee for the recovery of the livestock sector, Cyprus Mail reports.
Consequences of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
Speaking on Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation CyBC, Malas said that the crisis related to foot-and-mouth disease had exposed problems in livestock farming that had been accumulating for years. According to him, the sector had developed without proper planning. “In Cypriot livestock farming, we did not plan, we improvised,” he said.
The professor stressed the need to restructure the sector, as well as provide proper scientific support and professional guidance for sector workers. The committee’s recommendations, he said, are intended to preserve the export orientation of livestock farming while making it better organized, with a higher level of biosecurity and preparedness for future disease outbreaks and other challenges.
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12-year recovery plan
Malas’ comments came after the Cypriot government presented a 12-year recovery plan for the livestock sector with a total value of €610.9 million. The document was prepared by the committee led by Malas.
The plan allocates €372.225 million for sheep and goat farming, €134 million for cattle breeding, and €41 million for biosecurity measures. The committee also proposed setting a minimum distance of 300 metres between independent livestock farms to reduce the risk of infection transmission.
Answering a question about the possible reintroduction of the virus from the occupied northern part of the island, Malas said the danger would decrease if vaccination continues and illegal animal trade stops. At the same time, he stressed that vaccination would be needed for many more years.
