France relaxes AOP cheese rules due to drought

The French government has authorized temporary modifications to the production regulations for several protected designation of origin (AOP) cheeses due to historic drought conditions. The measures, implemented by the Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO), specifically target the feeding requirements for cattle used in the production of Abondance, Beaufort, and Comté cheeses.

The drought has significantly reduced grass availability in mountain regions, making it difficult for farmers to adhere to strict traditional grazing and forage rules. Under the temporary exemptions, producers may use hay or feed sourced from outside their normally restricted geographic areas. For instance, Abondance producers may temporarily reduce the required share of pastured grass in diets from 50% to 15%, while Comté makers can source maize from outside their usual zones.

These adjustments focus solely on animal nutrition and do not alter the rules regarding the production process or aging of the cheeses. Similar waivers are expected for other protected varieties, including Cantal, Reblochon, and Rocamadour, as climate-driven weather extremes continue to impact traditional agricultural practices.