Halloumi excluded from initial EU-Australia trade agreement

The European Commission confirmed on March 24 that halloumi is not included in the current EU-Australia free trade agreement. A Commission spokesperson explained that the product was omitted because its Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status was granted at the EU level in 2021, while the initial list for protection in Australia was established in 2019. Consequently, halloumi could not be included in the original negotiation list. However, the agreement contains provisions that allow both parties to amend the list after the deal enters into force. The Commission indicated that additional geographical indications can be added through future discussions, though no specific timeline has been established for these negotiations. The European Commission stated its commitment to protecting authentic production despite the current omission. The potential for future inclusion of halloumi remains open pending further procedures between the involved parties.