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Comté Cheese Defended Amid Environmental Criticism

Officials and producers emphasize the cheese's compliance with environmental standards and economic importance as activists highlight ecological concerns.

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La production du comté bénéficie, depuis 1958, d’une Appellation d’origine contrôlée.
Deux meules de comté, au Salon de l'Agriculture à Paris, le 24 février 2025

Overview

  • Ecologist Pierre Rigaux criticized Comté cheese production for polluting waterways and labeled it environmentally harmful during an April radio appearance.
  • Producers and officials, including the Prefect of Jura and Comité interprofessionnel de gestion du comté, have defended the cheese, citing its strict production standards and cultural significance.
  • Marine Tondelier, leader of Les Ecologistes, clarified that no call to ban Comté has been made and acknowledged the industry's cooperative values while noting environmental concerns.
  • Investigations into wastewater issues led to fines for two fromageries in 2022, with a 2024 compliance report stating that nearly all facilities have upgraded their treatment systems.
  • Comté, France's best-selling AOP cheese, supports 14,000 jobs and relies on sustainable farming practices, but environmental groups argue that increased production impacts nitrate levels in rivers.