Key facts
- France has temporarily relaxed strict production rules for several AOP cheeses due to severe drought.
- Cheeses like Comté, Beaufort, and Abondance are affected, with producers allowed to use fodder from outside designated zones.
- The drought has drastically reduced grass for dairy herds, impacting milk yields and farmers' livelihoods.
- Similar waivers are expected for other cheeses, including Reblochon and Cantal.
- Other protected produce, such as Calvados, cider, lamb, and plums, will also benefit from rule changes.
France has temporarily relaxed stringent production rules for some of its most renowned cheeses, including Comté, Beaufort, and Abondance, as a severe drought decimates grazing pastures. The extreme heat and lack of water have left grasslands dry and bare, jeopardizing the livelihoods of traditional dairy farmers.
Producers of these Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) cheeses, which are subject to strict regulations on animal grazing and feed, will now be permitted to supplement their animals' diets with fodder and grain from outside their designated regions. The National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) indicated that similar temporary relief is being planned for other cheeses such as Reblochon, Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne, and Fourme d’Ambert.
Dairy farmers across France are reporting significant impacts. Hubert Genty, a Neufchâtel cheese producer, noted a drastic reduction in milk yield due to the scorched pastures. His wife, Angélique, has seen her daily cheese production fall from 600-700 to 400-450. Similarly, about 70% of Salers cheese producers have had to halt production for the summer, and Roquefort makers have requested eased grazing rules for sheep.
The agricultural sector more broadly is suffering. The French union of potato farmers anticipates a 23% drop in this year's crop. Cider makers are concerned about apple yields, and wine producers are facing an early grape harvest with uncertain quantities. The French agriculture minister is expected to convene crisis talks to discuss emergency measures for affected farmers.