French farmer bets on camel milk in camembert country
The tall, gangly silhouettes of Julien Job's herd of 80 camels and dromedaries -- one of the largest in Europe -- make for an unusual sight in a country globally renowned for its cow and goat milk cheeses.
"You have to like the unknown," said Job, 43, who used to transport animals for zoos and circuses before opening his "Camelerie" farm in the village of Feignies in 2015.
Job was the first farmer in France to obtain approval from EU health agencies to commercialise camel milk and dairy products.
But demand for camel milk is growing as its ecological and health benefits become better known.
Containing up to five times more iron than cow's milk, it is non-allergenic and some studies have suggested that it has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
On its website, the Camelerie farm offers pasteurised camel milk, kefir (fermented milk) and sometimes "Bosse des Fagnes" and "Camelhoumi" -- two cheeses developed with the support of researchers that earned Job a medal at the 2024 World Cheese Awards in Kazakhstan.
Camel milk is highly perishable and pasteurisation is essential to bringing it to wider markets.
Superfood
The milk is richer in vitamin C than cow's milk, easier to digest for lactose-intolerant people and high in unsaturated fatty acids.
Some studies are also exploring its potential effects on cancer cells, blood sugar regulation in diabetics and autism.
"There is a mix of myths, empirical observations and scientific truths around this milk," said Bernard Faye, a researcher at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development.
Camel milk has traditionally been produced by nomads in arid or semi-desert regions and reserved for their own consumption.
But in recent decades, farms have appeared in Gulf countries and global demand has surged, up more than eight percent year-on-year in Europe.
With climate change, new countries are also turning to camel farming, from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States.
Luxury product
Camels can live off poor vegetation and consume much less than a cow of the same weight. And because they have no hooves, they cause less damage to the soil.
They can also be used in ecological grazing to clear pastures.
"It is one of the only animal species that survives between minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 Fahrenheit) and plus 40C," says Christian Schoettl, president of the French Federation for the Development of Camelids.
The camels of Feignies display beautiful humps that tend to be fatter than those of desert camels.
The only potential issue is humidity -- a problem that Job addressed by administering dewormers more often than he would for cattle.
At 17 euros ($19.7) per litre, camel milk remains a luxury product unlikely to replace cow milk anytime soon.
Making cheese from camel milk also requires large quantities of liquid, and its consumption is expected to remain even more marginal for the time being.
"A female camel produces two to three litres per day, every other year," Job said, or about 10 times less than a Norman cow.
Job has found a workaround, earning his income from selling milk but also tourism -- offering camel rides -- and from selling the young male camels.
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Local France
2 hours ago
- Local France
French farmer bets on camel milk in camembert country
The tall, gangly silhouettes of Julien Job's herd of 80 camels and dromedaries - one of the largest in Europe - make for an unusual sight in a country globally renowned for its cow and goat milk cheeses. "You have to like the unknown," said Job, 43, who used to transport animals for zoos and circuses before opening his 'Camelerie' farm in the village of Feignies in 2015. Job was the first farmer in France to obtain approval from EU health agencies to commercialise camel milk and dairy products. But demand for camel milk is growing as its ecological and health benefits become better known. Containing up to five times more iron than cow's milk, it is non-allergenic and some studies have suggested that it has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. Advertisement On its website, the Camelerie farm offers pasteurised camel milk, kefir (fermented milk) and sometimes "Bosse des Fagnes" and "Camelhoumi" -- two cheeses developed with the support of researchers that earned Job a medal at the 2024 World Cheese Awards in Kazakhstan. Camel milk is highly perishable and pasteurisation is essential to bringing it to wider markets. The milk is richer in vitamin C than cow's milk, easier to digest for lactose-intolerant people and high in unsaturated fatty acids. Some studies are also exploring its potential effects on cancer cells, blood sugar regulation in diabetics and autism. "There is a mix of myths, empirical observations and scientific truths around this milk," said Bernard Faye, a researcher at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. Camel milk has traditionally been produced by nomads in arid or semi-desert regions and reserved for their own consumption. But in recent decades, farms have appeared in Gulf countries and global demand has surged, up more than eight percent year-on-year in Europe. With climate change, new countries are also turning to camel farming, from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States. Camels can live off poor vegetation and consume much less than a cow of the same weight. And because they have pads rather than hooves, they cause less damage to the soil. They can also be used in ecological grazing to clear pastures. Advertisement "It is one of the only animal species that survives between -40C and 40C," says Christian Schoettl, president of the French Federation for the Development of Camelids. The camels of Feignies display beautiful humps that tend to be fatter than those of desert camels. The only potential issue is humidity -- a problem that Job addressed by administering dewormers more often than he would for cattle. At €17 per litre, camel milk remains a luxury product unlikely to replace cow milk anytime soon. Making cheese from camel milk also requires large quantities of liquid, and its consumption is expected to remain even more marginal for the time being. "A female camel produces two to three litres per day, every other year," Job said, or about 10 times less than a Norman cow. Job has found a workaround, earning his income from selling milk but also tourism -- offering camel rides -- and from selling the young male camels.
France 24
9 hours ago
- France 24
French farmer bets on camel milk in camembert country
The tall, gangly silhouettes of Julien Job's herd of 80 camels and dromedaries -- one of the largest in Europe -- make for an unusual sight in a country globally renowned for its cow and goat milk cheeses. "You have to like the unknown," said Job, 43, who used to transport animals for zoos and circuses before opening his "Camelerie" farm in the village of Feignies in 2015. Job was the first farmer in France to obtain approval from EU health agencies to commercialise camel milk and dairy products. But demand for camel milk is growing as its ecological and health benefits become better known. Containing up to five times more iron than cow's milk, it is non-allergenic and some studies have suggested that it has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. On its website, the Camelerie farm offers pasteurised camel milk, kefir (fermented milk) and sometimes "Bosse des Fagnes" and "Camelhoumi" -- two cheeses developed with the support of researchers that earned Job a medal at the 2024 World Cheese Awards in Kazakhstan. Camel milk is highly perishable and pasteurisation is essential to bringing it to wider markets. Superfood The milk is richer in vitamin C than cow's milk, easier to digest for lactose-intolerant people and high in unsaturated fatty acids. Some studies are also exploring its potential effects on cancer cells, blood sugar regulation in diabetics and autism. "There is a mix of myths, empirical observations and scientific truths around this milk," said Bernard Faye, a researcher at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. Camel milk has traditionally been produced by nomads in arid or semi-desert regions and reserved for their own consumption. But in recent decades, farms have appeared in Gulf countries and global demand has surged, up more than eight percent year-on-year in Europe. With climate change, new countries are also turning to camel farming, from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States. Luxury product Camels can live off poor vegetation and consume much less than a cow of the same weight. And because they have no hooves, they cause less damage to the soil. They can also be used in ecological grazing to clear pastures. "It is one of the only animal species that survives between minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 Fahrenheit) and plus 40C," says Christian Schoettl, president of the French Federation for the Development of Camelids. The camels of Feignies display beautiful humps that tend to be fatter than those of desert camels. The only potential issue is humidity -- a problem that Job addressed by administering dewormers more often than he would for cattle. At 17 euros ($19.7) per litre, camel milk remains a luxury product unlikely to replace cow milk anytime soon. Making cheese from camel milk also requires large quantities of liquid, and its consumption is expected to remain even more marginal for the time being. "A female camel produces two to three litres per day, every other year," Job said, or about 10 times less than a Norman cow. Job has found a workaround, earning his income from selling milk but also tourism -- offering camel rides -- and from selling the young male camels.
Euronews
a day ago
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1 in 5 Europeans exposed to dangerous noise pollution, report reveals
More than one in five Europeans are exposed to harmful transport noise, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) report, making it the third most deadly environmental threat behind air pollution and extreme temperatures. Road traffic is the most widespread source of transport noise, exposing an estimated 92 million people to levels above the EU's Environmental Noise Directive (END) threshold of 55 decibels (dB) for the day-evening-night period. This is a weighted average sound level over a 24-hour period that accounts for how people are more sensitive to noise during the night. Rail traffic impacts 18 million people, followed by aircraft noise disturbing 2.6 million. The resulting physiological stress and sleep disturbance contribute to 66,000 early deaths a year and many cases of heart disease and diabetes, according to the Environmental noise in Europe report, which is published every five years and covers 31 countries. 'Noise pollution is often overlooked, considered just an annoyance of everyday life,' the EEA's executive director, Leena Ylä-Mononen, says. 'However, long-term impacts of noise on our health and environment are widespread and significant.' If measured against World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, which have a slightly lower threshold of 53 dB for road traffic, closer to one in three European citizens are being exposed to risky noise pollution. Which countries suffer most from noise pollution? In terms of absolute numbers, France has the highest number of people exposed to transport noise when averaged out across day and night: an estimated 24 million people. Germany has the highest number during nighttime hours alone, with some 15 million people affected. When you look at it in terms of percentages, it's a different matter. Over 50 per cent of the population is exposed to harmful noise levels in Cyprus and Luxembourg. Populations in France and Austria also fare badly by this metric. At the other end of the scale, only three countries - Estonia, Slovakia and Portugal - are estimated to have less than 10 per cent of their populations exposed to levels above the END threshold. How can we return to a safer volume? The EU is currently off track to meet its target of reducing the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30 per cent by 2030 (compared to 2017 levels). There are several legislative changes the report recommends to pick up the pace, including: For road transport: Lowering speed limits for vehicles in urban areas, and boosting the use of low-noise tyres. For railway noise: Mandating the use of quieter braking systems, requiring better maintenance of trains and track, and retrofitting freight trains. For aircraft noise: Optimising landing and take-off patterns, and encouraging the introduction of quieter planes. Low-noise asphalt, building insulation and noise barriers are some of the measures that countries are exploring closer to people's homes. The researchers also highlight the connections between green space and noise safety. At least 29 per cent of the surface area of Europe's Natura 2000 network is affected by high noise levels from transport, they say, jeopardising the continent's conservation goals. Increasing access to green areas and keeping them quiet is key, as these spaces can provide psychological restoration and help reduce noise annoyance for people.
