France Relaxes Cheese Rules After Historic Drought

The National Institute of Origin and Quality has granted temporary relief to producers of several traditional cheeses after historic droughts and heatwaves scorched grazing pastures across 95% of mainland France. The agency is relaxing production rules for Comté, Beaufort, and Abondance, allowing farmers to supplement livestock diets with grain and fodder to maintain milk yields. Similar relief is planned for Reblochon, Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne, and Fourme d’Ambert.

These cheeses carry the appellation d’origine protégée label, which normally mandates rigid feeding and grazing standards. The environmental crisis has already forced some producers, including those making Salers cheese, to pause production entirely. The institute described the drought as "historic."

The agricultural impact extends beyond dairy. The Union Nationale des Producteurs de Pommes de Terre warned of a projected 23% drop in potato crops, while apple and grape yields also face threats. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has scheduled crisis talks with local authorities to determine further emergency measures for the affected farming sectors.