With Cyprus experiencing some of the worst drought and heatwave conditions in recent history, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou stressed the urgent need for policy adjustments and actions. In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), she highlighted the Ministry's critical role in responding to the green transition and adapting the agricultural sector towards a circular economy.

Panayiotou pointed out that the upcoming MED 9 summit in September, hosted by Cyprus, will focus on drought issues, while ongoing efforts aim to mitigate the heatwave’s impact. She also referred to recent developments in firefighting, halloumi production, and waste management, as well as plans for establishing a Cyprus Food Safety Authority.

Need to update water strategy

Addressing the drought issue, Panayiotou stressed that water is a vital resource that must be preserved. She noted that the past two years have been among the worst since 1900 in terms of rainfall, with dam levels reflecting this scarcity. While current water management policies exist, she emphasised the need to update and revise them based on recent data.

She added that the National Investment Plan includes projects worth over €1 billion, prioritising irrigation and water supply. Essential infrastructure projects, like the Tersefanou Dam and increased desalination efforts, are part of this plan.

The Minister said that, water supply needs were fully met at 100%. However, there were average irrigation cuts of 33%. She underlined the Ministry's goal, included in the investment programme, to enable farmers to adopt smart irrigation systems. These systems leverage technology to manage water efficiently, avoiding waste.

She also highlighted the importance of proper water management by households to eliminate waste. The Minister announced upcoming stricter legislation imposing fines for water waste, as the current laws from the 1990s are inadequate.

At the EU Agriculture Ministers' Council level, the Minister has already informed them about Cyprus' severe water issues. Minister Panayiotou noted that addressing the drought and its impact on the primary sector, would be also the focus of the MED 9 Summit, to be held in Cyprus from September 1-3. The Summit will gather agriculture ministers from nine Mediterranean EU countries.

"Our goal is to create a common framework for actions and decisions. By working together, the nine Mediterranean countries facing similar challenges can coordinate efforts and collaborate effectively," she said.

Heatwave mitigation measures

Panayiotou also discussed measures to combat the prolonged heatwave, noting record temperatures in June and July. For the agricultural sector, over 50 affected areas and crops are eligible for compensation through the Risk Management Fund. However, she said that the Ministry aims to support farmers with resilient crops and technologies under the Common Agricultural Policy.

In urban areas, initiatives include green roofs and coordinated tree planting. The Ministry will launch a pilot programme for green roofs, providing subsidies for citizens, and plans for widespread tree planting across urban and rural areas to combat the heat and water scarcity.

"The goal of planting 100,000 trees each year is not just a target we want to boast about, but one we aim to achieve through specific, quantifiable tree-planting initiatives," she noted. The Minister acknowledged that "we are lagging behind in reaching this number," but emphasised that they could not affort deviating from this plan, given the current heatwave and existing water issues.

She also mentioned ongoing research programmes in collaboration with various Ministry departments to explore and implement new methods for planting and adapting to climate change. The planting season, she noted, is around January to February, and until then, coordination is needed to finalise the numbers and methods to be employed.

Advancing firefighting capabilities

Panayiotou also said that the Ministry has enhanced firefighting and aerial firefighting capabilities to ensure operational readiness. She added that recent recruitment of forest firefighters would bolster the Department of Forests' response capabilities.

"The recruitment process has been completed, and they will begin staffing the Forestry Department units in the next few days," she said.

She also referred to a series of measures announced for the protection of forest-adjacent areas. Regarding aerial resources, she noted that Cyprus currently has 11 primary and 6 secondary aircraft and added that they were in the process of acquiring 10 privately owned aerial assets.

Regarding the investigation into changes at the Akamas National Park project, Panayiotou said that the investigation is nearing completion. She added that the project site has been secured for safe public access in the areas, and will continue with revised environmental measures to ensure minimal impact and sustainable development.

"We want all stakeholders in halloumi production to be sustainable"

Regarding recent developments on halloumi PDO, following the issuance of a new milk quota decree, Panayiotou noted that there was a noticeable lack of trust among those involved in halloumi production, complicating efforts to find mutually acceptable solutions.

However she said that the Ministry proceeded with the decree using the transitional period up to 2029 to fully comply with the quota standard.

She added that discussions on support measures with stakeholders have begun and are nearing completion.

"We want all parties involved in the halloumi sector—whether cheese producers, goat and sheep farmers, or dairy farmers—to be sustainable. The measures we are planning are developed in collaboration with the stakeholders to address the issues that need to be resolved," she said.

Support measures include increasing the production of goat and sheep milk, addressing the carbon footprint of dairy farmers, and preventing further increases in cow's milk production.

Establishing the Cyprus Food Safety Authority

Asked about the ongoing public consultation regarding the establishment of the Cyprus Food Safety Authority, the Minister emphasised the necessity of this Authority for aligning Cyprus with European standards.

She noted that the Authority aims to ensure the safety and quality of food and feed. The Ministry of Agriculture, she said, would provide all necessary support from the veterinary services and the General Directorate of Agriculture to ensure the Authority is properly staffed and operational.

"We want the product that reaches the hands of citizens—from production through to consumption—to be within a framework of safety and high quality," she stated.

She clarified that this Authority would not replace the existing services but would instead enhance the framework within which they operate as an independent, substantial body.

 Gradual rollout of "Pay As You Throw" scheme to begin in November

The Minister also addressed the upcoming implementation of the "Pay As You Throw" scheme for household waste. She announced that the program will start in November in Aradippou, in Larnaca district, with a gradual rollout to other municipalities planned for 2025.

She added that local authorities were currently finalising studies to determine how waste bags will be charged or if a fixed fee for waste will be introduced, aiming for universal implementation from January 2025 onward. Additionally, she highlighted that the initiative would include various infrastructure improvements, such as new reuse centers, increased green points, and green kiosks, all contributing to Cyprus' waste management goals.