KOUYIALIS: Cyprus not affected by decision taken by EC on cheese producers

Cyprus is not affected by the decision taken by the European Commission for cheese producers who were hit by the Russian embargo on EU products, Agriculture Minister Nicos Kouyialis has said.

The Commission closed the measure for Private Storage Aid (PSA) for cheese following a disproportionate surge in interest for this measure from cheese producers in certain regions not traditionally exporting significant quantities to Russia.

Invited by CNA to comment on the decision, Kouyialis said that Cyprus would not have benefited from this measure anyway and he went on to explain that this is the second time this month the EC is taking such a decision, ie for disproportionate surge.
The Minister said that we need to be extra careful on our requests because at the end of the day the producers really in need will not be able to get assistance.

Asked about the compensation for the citrus fruits producers, the Minister said that Cyprus has worked very hard on the issue and in the next days, specific measures will be announced.

The decision taken today for cheese producers is a precautionary step to avoid the possibility of reaching the maximum volume of 155, 000 tonnes so soon after the measure was opened on September 5.

Notifications for PSA volumes of Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP) and butter were much in line with expectations and the measures remain open for these products. Similarly, public intervention for butter and SMP will be open until the end of the year. A decision to repeal the PSA measure for cheese was published in the Official Journal today, applicable with immediate effect.