The relaxation of production rules for certain AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) cheeses has been welcomed by the Ambert Brie union, which announced that 20% of the hay used in making Ambert Brie can now come from outside the designated region. Sébastien Nigon, president of the Ambert Brie union and a dairy producer, called the change a "relief" during an interview with franceinfo on Wednesday. He explained that the adjustment is needed to maintain a steady level of production and prevent job losses, especially in light of the economic challenges currently faced by the dairy industry. The new rules apply to several AOP cheeses, including Reblochon, Cantal, and Ambert Brie. These changes are meant to address the shortage of forage caused by this summer's severe drought. For Reblochon, the minimum grazing period for cows has been reduced from 150 days to 120 days during the summer months. Additionally, a quarter of the grass used in the cheese-making process can now be sourced from outside the designated region, helping to ease the strain on local forage supplies. Baptiste Mermillod, president of the Reblochon interprofessional union, expressed concerns about the limited availability of forage. He noted that tensions are rising among merchants and forage sellers, who report having less forage than usual. This has created an "anxious climate" in the industry, with producers beginning to question whether they will be able to secure enough forage and at what cost. Mermillod anticipates paying more than 200 euros per ton of forage, compared to the usual price of 150 euros. The changes reflect a broader effort to adapt to the challenges posed by the drought and fluctuating forage availability. While the relaxed rules offer some relief to producers, they also highlight the ongoing struggles faced by the dairy industry in maintaining both quality and supply under difficult environmental conditions.