The future of Switzerland’s national dairy treasure – the Swiss Emmental cheese – is on a knife-edge currently due to disagreements between government and cheese makers. The Ministry of Agriculture has stopped the traditional Emmental cheese marketing subsidy of CHF5 million (EUR3.9m) per year. Main reason: some of the biggest cheese makers have disobeyed the production quotas imposed by the state-appointed Swiss Emmental Association. Quotas were introduced in May 2009 in order to keep prices reasonably buoyant in a difficult world market. The cheese makers say that this intervention has not helped incomes and that lower production has simply meant some of the dairies are in now danger of going out of business.
The breakaway action was precipitated last year by the largest Emmental cheese producer, Ernst Neuenschwander in Thurgau. He ignored the quota and as a result the Swiss Emmental Association tried to fine him a total of CHF 650,000 (EUR512,000). Herr Neuenschwander retaliated by leaving the association and was immediately joined by several other prominent Emmental producers. Now, the association has hit back by instructing cheese merchants in Switzerland to refuse to market cheeses produced by the renegade companies.
This month, a special meeting of government representatives and cheese makers is to review the treatment being meted out to the rebels and also the whole future of market control for one of Switzerland’s most famous cheeses.