The European Commission has officially granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status to Malta’s sheep’s cheese. This milestone comes after years of discussions with the European Commission, ensuring that the production and sale of sheep’s cheese comply with the legal standards expected from European Union Member States.

These negotiations have resulted in the establishment of necessary standards for both the quality of the product and the protection of consumers’ health.

The Maltese Government, in collaboration with the European Commission, worked diligently to ensure that traditional cheese-making practices were preserved.

As part of this effort, the Maltese authorities committed to providing all relevant information for thorough evaluation according to the criteria set by the European Commission to safeguard the product.

With this recognition, “sheep’s cheese” will now appear on store shelves with labelling that confirms its addition to the European PDO register.

This signifies that the product will be recognised as a quality item not only by EU citizens but also by tourists visiting Malta, as it joins the prestigious list of PDO products across Europe.

The recognition ensures that the product will be acknowledged and protected by EU member countries and featured in global trade agreements.

Minister Anton Refalo was presented with the official PDO certificate by European Commissioner Christophe Hansen during a ceremony in Brussels on the margins of the Agriculture Ministers’ Council.

In a celebration at the Malta House, Minister Refalo praised the work of the Sheep and Goats Producers Association, MCCAA, and other public entities for their role in achieving this status. He also thanked the Maltese and Gozitan farmers for their daily contributions to producing high-quality products.

Minister Refalo highlighted ongoing efforts to secure PDO recognition for Maltese olive oil, aiming to further solidify Malta’s position in Europe’s traditional food product list.

#MaltaDaily