Cyprus wines to benefit from EU promo

Agriculture sector in Europe can better survive if it sets as its goal the production of high quality products, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel said, noting that Cyprus can contribute towards the achievement of this goal.
In a press conference she held with the Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Fotis Fotiou, after the meeting, Boel called upon the Cypriot farmers to aim for high quality products.
She also said that she was informed on Cyprus’ intention to apply for registering Cyprus halloumi cheese as a protected product.
“I heard during our conversation about the halloumi cheese, for which you will apply for geographical indication. I think that the idea to go for high quality products is the only way to go forward for the EU agriculture”, she said.
During the meeting, EU Common Agriculture Policy was discussed, as well as other issues, such as the problems faced by the Cypriot farmers, the promotion of the European wines and the bad weather conditions all over Europe.
Boel said that the European Commission will present on July 4 a proposal for the promotion of European wines in third countries.
“We have afforded 120 million euros for the promotion of the wine sector each year to the third markets”, she explained, adding that Europe is facing “huge competition from outside”.
Answering to questions regarding Genetically Modified Organisms and Cyprus’ intention to declare itself a GMO free area, she said that this can be done without any previous approval by the EU.
“If Cyprus wants to declare itself GMO free this will depend on the support from the farmers. If a voluntary agreement can be made, then this is possible. But it is not possible to introduce a compulsory or legislative proposal that prohibits the farmers to use GMO production”, she said.