French cheese production hit by extreme heat
Climate change is threatening the production of some of France's most famous cheeses: this summer, more than 75% of Salers cheese producers, one of 47 cheeses with a protected designation of origin, were forced to suspend operations due to abnormal heat and drought, according to CNN.
Consensus
- Extreme heat and drought in France during summer 2106 disrupted the production of traditional French cheeses.
- More than 75% of Salers cheese producers were forced to suspend production due to the heat and drought.
- The production of Salers cheese requires milk from cows grazing on mountain pastures in the Cantal department.
- Strict rules limit the amount of non-pasture feed to 25% and require seasonal production from April 15 to November 15.
- The French National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) introduced temporary changes to production standards due to the drought.
- Some producers switched to producing Cantal cheese, which has more flexible production rules.
- The quality and taste of the cheese may be affected due to changes in cow diet and reduced pasture availability.
- Producers reported financial losses, with one estimating a loss of 20,000 euros last year and expecting a worse year this season.
Points of divergence
- Over 3/4 of French Salers cheese producers were forced to stop production due to heat and drought. — tg_dwglavnoe
- The Salers cheese production dropped from 1500 tons in the early 2010s to 1000 tons. — vedomosti
- The INAO announced temporary changes to standards due to 'historical drought'. — tg_dwglavnoe
- The INAO has not yet granted temporary relaxations to other cheeses like Beaufort, Comté, and Abondance, though requests were made. — vedomosti
- The process of obtaining temporary relaxations may take years. — vedomosti
- Some producers believe most consumers will not notice the difference in taste. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Cheese expert Christian Jeanne believes the changes will be noticeable to some consumers and that standardization is reducing the number of truly outstanding cheeses. — vedomosti
- Cow milk yield decreased by 10% due to heat. — vedomosti
- The frequency of pasture problems has increased from every 15–20 years to about every two years. — tg_dwglavnoe
Coverage (3 sources)
- Abnormal heat threatens to change the taste and aroma of famous French cheeses — DW Главное
- RTL: In France, drought may change the taste and color of cheeses — Москва 24
- In France, due to heat, production of some types of cheese may be suspended — Ведомости