France to Ease Strict Rules on Iconic Cheeses as Heat Dries Pastures

France eases strict cheesemaking rules as heat and drought hit farmers

Depleted grasslands have forced farmers to temporarily supplement their cows' diets with feed from elsewhere.

France relaxes rules for three famous cheeses after summer drought

The drought in France is forcing farmers who produce milk for some of the country's most famous cheeses to feed their cows differently, as scorched pastures make it increasingly difficult to stick to strict rules on protected regional foods, known as AOP. Temporary exemptions on fodder sources will apply to the producers of Abondance, Beaufort and Comté to cope with the grass shortage.

France to ease strict rules on iconic cheeses as heat dries pastures

France is temporarily relaxing strict production rules for several iconic cheeses as drought and record heat leave pastures severely depleted.

Drought forces France to relax cheese rules

France eases cheese production rules amid drought and heatwaves

The French government said producers of abondance, beaufort and comté can supplement their cows' diet with fodder and grain brought in from elsewhere – a relaxation of normally strict rules to ensure authenticity.