France Loosens Rules for Iconic Cheeses

French cheesemakers are getting some rare leeway from the government as drought shrivels pastures and squeezes milk supplies. Producers of Comté, Beaufort, and Abondance—prestige cheeses with protected-origin status, made from the raw milk of cattle grazing in the mountains—will be temporarily allowed to feed cows more imported fodder and grain, a shift from the usual strict requirements on where and how animals graze, the Guardian reports.

The National Institute of Origin and Quality says more protected cheeses, including Reblochon, Cantal, and Roquefort are likely to get similar relief after what it calls a "historic" drought that has dried out grasslands in 95% of mainland France. Growth of permanent grasslands was 33% below the 30-year average as of Aug. 10, per Euronews. Farmers have reported sharply lower milk yields and, in some cases, halted production. The crisis is also hitting potatoes, apples, and wine grapes, with emergency measures for agriculture expected after talks next week.