Cyprus is due to receive a total of €4.8 million from the EU fruit, vegetable and milk school subsidy schemes in the next six years, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Nicos Kouyialis said on Wednesday.

The island will receive 800,000 euro annually for the next six years.

Disbursement of the funds was made possible after an agreement was reached between the EU Council Presidency of Luxembourg, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

It is an initial agreement which ensures that the funds will be distributed fairly and effectively.

Kouyialis had taken part in an EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council which took place in Brussels on December 14 and 15.

In a written statement the Cypriot Minister thanks the EU Council Presidency and his friend, as he puts it, Fernand Etgen for “our productive cooperation during the last six months.”

Addressing the Council, Kouyialis had the opportunity to refer to the situation as regards the porcine sector in Cyprus and asked for specific measures to be taken on the basis of the particular problems faced by the island.

A number of member states, he says, also expressed concerns over the quality and safety of honey imported to the EU by third countries which the Cypriot government shares.