FranceAgriMer and ecological transition: two top-level appointments

Two decrees dated August 31, 2026, published in the Official Journal of the French Republic (Journal officiel de la République française) No. 0203 on September 1, 2026, fill two key positions in public agricultural and environmental action. Marion ZALAY is appointed Director General of the National Establishment for Agricultural and Sea Products (FranceAgriMer), while Alexis VUILLEMIN becomes Secretary General of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature. Both appointments take effect on September 1, 2026.

The two texts, signed by the Prime Minister and the supervising ministers, fall under the category of individual appointment decrees published in the general texts section of the JORF. They are referenced respectively as NOR AGRS2619622D and NOR TECC2622219D.

Two profiles of engineers of bridges, waters, and forests

The two new officials share the same original corps, that of the engineers of bridges, waters, and forests of the transitional grade, a high-level technical branch of the State civil service.

• Marion ZALAY, engineer of bridges, waters, and forests of the transitional grade, is appointed Director General of FranceAgriMer as of September 1, 2026.
• Alexis VUILLEMIN, engineer of bridges, waters, and forests of the transitional grade, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature as of September 1, 2026.

FranceAgriMer, the operator of agricultural policy

Decree NOR AGRS2619622D, issued under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Food Sovereignty, entrusts the general management of FranceAgriMer to Marion ZALAY. This public establishment is the State’s central operator for agricultural and agri-food sectors: it manages public aid, monitors markets and sectors, and implements support mechanisms for food sovereignty.

The appointment comes at a time when French agricultural policy is marked by issues of food sovereignty, sector transition, and trade negotiations. The new Director General takes office on September 1, 2026, in application of Article 1 of the decree.

A Secretary General for ecological transition

Decree NOR TECC2622219D, issued under the authority of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature, appoints Alexis VUILLEMIN as Secretary General of this ministry. The Secretary General ensures the coordination of services and the implementation of the ministry’s policies, a strategic position for conducting the State’s environmental and climate action.

This role notably covers files related to biodiversity, energy transition, and international negotiations on climate and nature. The start date is also set for September 1, 2026.

Scope of Appointments

These two decrees, published in JORF No. 0203 on September 1, 2026, illustrate the renewal of the State’s senior executives in two priority sectors: agriculture and the environment. By placing engineers from the Ponts, Eaux et Forêts (Bridges, Waters and Forests) at their head, the executive confirms the weight of the technostructure in conducting public policies for food sovereignty and ecological transition. The two appointments, effective as of September 1, 2026, commit the new officials to the implementation of government priorities for agricultural sectors and for climate and biodiversity policy.

Official Source: Official Journal of the French Republic (JORF) No. 0203 of September 1, 2026 — Decree of August 31, 2026, appointing the Director General of FranceAgriMer (NOR AGRS2619622D) and Decree of August 31, 2026, appointing the Secretary General (NOR TECC2622219D).