Climate Threat Extreme Weather in Europe

Heatwaves Threaten France's Iconic Cheeses

Several of France's beloved cheeses are threatened by increasingly severe heatwaves and droughts, reports CNN.

As the grass dries out, farmers are forced to buy more and more feed to supplement their animals' diet. Previously, there was a problem with the grass every 15 to 20 years, but now it is every year, according to Laurent Lours, who has been a dairy farmer and cheesemaker for 35 years.

- So far we have had five heatwaves this year. We have never experienced these temperatures, he says.

The strict regulations surrounding the production of French artisanal cheeses mean that production is decreasing as a result of the extreme weather.

One example is the unpasteurized cheese variety Salers. It must be produced between April 15 and November 15 by grazing cows whose diet must consist of at least 75 percent grass.

The summer heat and drought forced more than 60 of the 80 Salers producers in the country to pause production.

Eight European countries experienced their hottest day ever

This year's European summer was exceptionally hot in many countries. 33 had their hottest July ever, with persistent heat waves.

Eight countries also experienced their hottest days ever since measurements began, according to statistics from the EU weather institute Copernicus.

In Denmark, the heat record was broken on June 27, writes Danmarks Radio. Then 37 degrees were measured in Danish East Jutland and on Funen. It has never been so hot before.

Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria also broke heat records this summer.