French farmers wage boar war over cheese
ONE of France’s smelliest cheeses is under threat from rampaging wild boars as farmers kick up a stink over their destructive habits.
Farmers in the eastern Haut-rhin department of the Alsace region say the animals’ foraging is ruining pastures for cows that produce the milk used for Munster, a particularly pungent cheese.
Makers of Munster must respect strict rules to obtain its coveted label of quality. These stipulate that at least 70 per cent of cow fodder must come from a local farm.
However, a rocketing boar population in the region has led to up to 60 per cent of pastures being uprooted as the beasts forage for acorns, tubers and underground grubs. Farmers now say the production of Munster is in peril.
“They uproot the earth so we have a problem with the grass, but what’s dangerous is that droppings and dust get into the hay. It’s not good for the animals or for the cheese,”
Marc Weiss, a farmer whose son is a Munster cheese producer, told the France Bleu radio station. He said the boar were intelligent creatures who were not put off by electric fences as they waited until the current was off momentarily to charge into a field. When they repair the damage, the boars quickly return. “The cows’ milk is contaminated with the damage to the earth, it’s of a lower quality for Munster. When it is handed to the cooperative, it is undervalued,” said Philippe Iltis, president of rural co-ordination.
Farmers sent a letter to the regional state prefect asking for help – to no avail. Now they are asking local hunters in the area to increase culling of the wild boar population.
“I’m asking the hunters to shoot more of them. They must do their work and bring the population down,” said Mr Iltis.
♦ A large wild boar was shot dead yesterday after wandering into an Italian primary school in Palermo, Sicily and injuring a caretaker. Boar are on the increase in Italy, with small herds and individuals spotted outside cities such as Rome, Bologna and Genoa, often in search of food in rubbish bins.