The French government announced measures to temporarily ease production regulations for several of the country’s most renowned cheeses in response to severe drought conditions affecting agricultural regions. The relief applies to Comté, a hard cheese made from raw cow’s milk produced in the Jura mountains that generated over 62,000 tonnes of production in the previous year, as well as Beaufort and Abondance, both produced from Alpine grazing cattle. These cheeses hold the protected designation of origin label, a certification that typically requires producers to maintain strict adherence to traditional farming methods and grazing practices.
The National Institute of Origin and Quality announced plans to extend temporary regulatory relief to producers of additional protected cheeses, including Reblochon, Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne, and Fourme d’Ambert. Under the temporary changes, producers may supplement livestock diets with additional fodder and grain sourced from elsewhere, a deviation from normal requirements. The measure addresses conditions described as historically severe, with drought affecting approximately 95% of mainland France in July and leaving pastures significantly degraded.
Farmers across traditional cheesemaking regions have reported substantial production challenges. One Normandy dairy farmer producing Neufchâtel cheese noted complete absence of usable grass, with his wife’s daily cheese production declining from 600-700 units to 400-450 due to reduced milk yields. Approximately 70% of Salers cheese producers, another protected designation cheese, suspended production during the summer months, while Roquefort producers requested similar regulatory accommodations for their sheep-grazing operations.
Agricultural authorities documented significant reductions in grassland growth, measuring one-third below historical averages as of mid-August. The agriculture minister scheduled crisis discussions with local authorities to address broader agricultural impacts, as drought conditions affected multiple sectors including potato cultivation, cider apple production, and grape harvests, which had begun earlier than typical.
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