France to relax cheese production rules after drought takes toll on grazing land
French authorities are temporarily relaxing production rules for Comté, Beaufort, and Abondance cheeses. The change allows farmers to supplement cow diets with grain and fodder due to severe drought conditions that have destroyed grazing pastures.
Why it matters
This decision highlights the tangible impact of climate change on traditional agricultural practices and protected food heritage labels in Europe.
Comté, a hard cheese made from raw cows’ milk in the Jura mountains, is France’s top-selling traditional cheese. Comté, a hard cheese made from raw cows’ milk in the Jura mountains, is France’s top-selling traditional cheese. France France to relax cheese production rules after drought takes toll on grazing land Comté, beaufort and abondance makers can temporarily supplement cows’ diets as there is ‘no grass left to eat’
Prefer the Guardian on Google Strict production rules will be loosened for some of France’s most famous cheeses after drought and repeated heatwaves dried out grazing pastures, threatening the livelihoods of traditional dairy workers.
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