Bid against protected status of halloumi fails

A top court in the European Union on Wednesday rejected an attempt to drop the protected status of halloumi, staving off a challenge to the prized cheese that is one of Cyprus' top exports.

Halloumi has a protected designation of origin (PDO) status, meaning that only approved producers from Cyprus can market the cheese under that name. However, official product specifications have triggered a backlash from the Cypriot dairy industry.

Authorities say the cheese should be manufactured with a blend of cow, ewe and goat milk, gradually displacing cow's milk, which had in recent years been the dominant ingredient.

In a judgment posted on its website, the General Court of the EU dismissed a petition to strip halloumi of its PDO, petitioned by Cyprus cattle breeders and their affiliated dairy company. The petition had argued that Cyprus submitted erroneous...