Bureau Veritas appointed to oversee halloumi trade across Green Line

The Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman announced that the Paris-based inspection firm Bureau Veritas has been appointed to conduct compliance audits for halloumi production. This decision, finalized on April 6, 2026, aims to facilitate the trade of the product across the Green Line under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) framework. The regulations for this trade were originally established on April 12, 2021, meaning the appointment follows a five-year implementation delay. Producers who meet European Union animal health and public safety standards will gain the right to use the official PDO logo. While the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce welcomed the move as a critical milestone, it noted that significant technical and structural challenges remain. The appointment is expected to provide producers with indirect access to the broader European Union market. Efforts are currently underway to resolve remaining obstacles and initiate trade as soon as possible. Four Turkish Cypriot producers are currently listed on the European Union's PDO register.