Fans of gruyère have stripped former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss of his honorary membership in the Brotherhood of Gruyère.

Association vice president Philippe Bardet told La Gruyère newspaper he was disappointed it had to come to this, but Deiss had not distanced himself from cheese-maker Emmi’s plans to produce gruyère-labeled cheese in the U.S.

Deiss is on the board of Emmi.

Bardet said it was not about pointing a finger at Deiss, though the organization felt betrayed by the lack of condemnation of Emmi’s plan.