Marc Fesneau, born on January 11, 1971, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, is a prominent French politician who has been influential in shaping agricultural policy and public engagement in France. Since May 20, 2022, he has served as the Minister of Agriculture and Food in the governments of Prime Ministers Élisabeth Borne and Gabriel Attal. A member of the Democratic Movement (MoDem), Fesneau previously represented the 1st constituency of Loir-et-Cher in the National Assembly and presided over the MoDem group from 2017 to 2018.

Early Life and Education

Fesneau completed his secondary education at the Lycée Molière in Paris before pursuing higher studies at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), where he obtained a diploma in life and natural sciences. His educational background laid the groundwork for his future career in public service and politics.

Family

In June 2003, Marc Fesneau married Anne-Laure Budillon, an agricultural engineer. Together, they have three children, and their family life is closely connected to Fesneau’s professional focus on agriculture and rural affairs.

Early Political Career

Fesneau’s political career began at the local level. He was first elected to the municipal council of Marchenoir, Loir-et-Cher, in 1995 and became mayor in 2008, a position he was re-elected to in 2014. He also served as a regional councillor in the Centre-Val de Loire region from 2004 to 2010. In 2010, he was appointed secretary-general of the Democratic Movement, where he worked alongside party leader François Bayrou, serving as the opposition counterpart to the Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Le Maire.

National Assembly Member

In the 2017 legislative elections, Fesneau was elected to the National Assembly, representing the 1st constituency of Loir-et-Cher. He quickly ascended to leadership within the MoDem, being unanimously elected president of the group in the Assembly shortly after his election. During his tenure, he served on both the Committee on National Defence and Armed Forces and the Committee on Legal Affairs, where he acted as rapporteur on constitutional reforms.

In September 2018, following the appointment of François de Rugy to the government, Fesneau ran for the presidency of the National Assembly but placed third in a competitive race.

Ministerial Roles

Fesneau’s ministerial career commenced in October 2018 when he was appointed Minister for Relations with Parliament under Prime Minister Édouard Philippe. His responsibilities expanded in July 2020 when he was designated as Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and Citizen Participation in the government of Jean Castex.

In the 2021 regional elections in Centre-Val de Loire, Fesneau led the MoDem list supported by La République En Marche! and Agir. Despite facing challenges, he successfully regained a seat in the regional council and was appointed president of the MoDem group.

In May 2022, he took over from Julien Denormandie as Minister of Agriculture and Food, a position in which he has focused on food sovereignty and agricultural policy. Under his leadership, France became the first EU member to launch a tender for 80 million doses of bird flu vaccines in 2023, following a significant outbreak that led to the culling of millions of birds in the previous year.

Recent Developments

In October 2023, Fesneau participated in a landmark joint cabinet retreat of the French and German governments in Hamburg, marking a significant moment in Franco-German relations.

Professional Background

Prior to his political career, Fesneau worked for the Loir-et-Cher departmental chamber of agriculture, where he focused on local development policies. His early professional experiences informed his later political endeavors and commitment to rural issues.

Leadership within the Democratic Movement

Fesneau has held various leadership roles within the Democratic Movement, serving as vice president since 2017 and becoming the party’s first vice president in March 2021 after the passing of Marielle de Sarnez. He has been active in promoting the party’s interests at both local and national levels.

Advocacy and Public Stance

A defender of hunting, Fesneau actively participates in the sport. He has also taken public positions on various issues, including opposing a ban on bullfighting in 2022.

Marc Fesneau’s journey through the ranks of French politics showcases his dedication to public service and agricultural advocacy, reflecting a commitment to addressing the needs of farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.