The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, assured of the adequacy and quality of the products that will accompany consumers' Easter tables during her visits to supermarkets and butchers in Limassol.
Accompanied by the Director General of her Ministry, Andreas Grigoriou, the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Makis Antoniadis, and officials of the relevant Departments, Ms. Panagiotou visited, on the morning of Holy Thursday, three supermarkets and a meat market in Limassol.
In her statements, she said that since April 14, 70 inspections have been carried out by the Department of Agriculture and corresponding inspections by the Veterinary Services, and noted that "these inspections are carried out all year round, of course, but these days they are much more intensive."
He added that there is a sufficient supply of products and that "we are examining the quality and of course ensuring that everything is sanitary." "Where and when non-compliance is observed, the provisions of the legislation are applied," he added.
We, he continued, want consumers to have high-quality products that will reach both the holiday table and everyday life, and we are here to ensure that.
Asked about this, she stated that two cases of non-compliance were identified in Limassol and the relevant procedures were followed, while emphasizing that "it is not to a degree that concerns us, but it is expected, given the number of checks we carry out."
"Where and where the fine is imposed, it will be imposed, where and where there are recommendations, it is done, where and where the products need to be confiscated, it is done," said Ms. Panayiotou.
Moreover, the Minister of Agriculture referred to the "Safe2Eat" campaign that "is currently running with the European Food Safety Authority" and called on citizens to look online and see useful information "so that they can be sure that this product, which they receive, is in line with European standards, from the labeling, the external appearance, but also how it will be stored and how it is cooked."
In his statements, Limassol District Veterinary Officer Konstantinos Economides said that the general picture regarding the meat is that it is of very good quality and the butcher shops operate on the basis of correct procedures.
"We identify minor non-compliances, where recommendations are made for corrective measures," he continued, while when asked if a case with meat from the occupied territories was observed, he said that nothing was detected in Limassol.
"We have other incidents, however, where we identify carcasses that are not the product of legal slaughter or do not have the appropriate seals, and thus we proceed to confiscate and destroy these meats and file a complaint with the Police," he added.
These, he indicated, are isolated cases "and the measures that need to be taken on our part are being taken immediately."
Responding to a question about what a consumer should pay attention to, Mr. Economides said that, with regard to quality, he believes that all licensed butcher shops are supplied by suppliers who adhere to temperature and quality procedures.
