Founders & Board

The early founders of the Foundation (who signed the notary deed) are:

• Former European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Franz Fischler and his former Chief of Staff Corrado Pirzio-Biroli.

• The European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) and the Friends of the Countryside (FCS), represented by Thierry de l’Escaille. These are European non-profit organizations, which advocate competitive, sustainable agriculture and environmentally-friendly rural development.

• Other founding Board members are:

Franz Fischler (AUT), Chairman
Baron Daniel Janssen(BE), Vice Chairman
Alex Schaub (DE), Vice Chairman
Corrado Pirzio-Biroli (IT), CEO
Thierry de l’Escaille (BE), deputy CEO
John Atkin(UK)
Michel Barnier (FR)
Paolo De Castro (IT)
Luc Coene (BE)
François Debiesse (FR)
Karl Grotenfelt (FI)
Sandra Kalniete (LV)
Joseph Osterč (SL)
Cees Veerman (NL)