Passing of Georges Dutruc-Rosset

09 Jul 2020

A General Engineer in Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry, Georges Dutruc-Rosset spent an exceptional career in various agricultural agencies of the French government.

He was successively Assistant to the Director of the Agriculture and Forestry Authority in the departments of Pas de Calais, Seine et Oise and Gard. Then, from 1967 to 1972, he was Project Coordinator in charge of planning for the Cévennes National Park, before going on to lead a number of different agencies:

Director General of the Society for the Development of Auvergne and Limousin in Clermont-Ferrand (SOMIVAL) (1972-1975),

Deputy Director of the National Interprofessional Office for Livestock and Meat (ONIBEV) (1976-1980),

Deputy Director of Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (1981-1986),

Delegation Head for the ‘Integrated Mediterranean Programmes’ (IMPs) (1986-1987),

Director of the National Interprofessional Office for Fruit, Vegetables and Horticulture (ONIFLHOR) (1987-1993),

Director of the Interprofessional Office for Meat, Livestock and Poultry (OFIVAL) (1993-1995).

As Chief of Staff to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Philippe Vasseur (1995-1996), he was put forward by France as the candidate to succeed Robert Tinlot as OIV Director General.
He was elected in South Africa in 1996, and held office until 2003, when Federico Castellucci was voted into office.

His mandate was primarily devoted to a period of audit and reform of the OIV. It was during this time that the Agreement of 3 April 2001 establishing the International Organisation of Vine and Wine was negotiated and signed, as well as the OIV Rules of Procedure.

A former Navy Captain, Georges Dutruc-Rosset was recognised by the French Republic for his achievements: he was an Officer of the Legion of Honour and of the National Order of Merit, a Commander of the Order of Agricultural Merit, and a member of the French Academy of Agriculture. His avowed passion for hunting led him to become Commissioner for the estates of Rambouillet and Marly-le-Roi on his departure from the OIV.

The OIV pays tribute to the memory of our former Director, who devoted his skills to restructuring the Organisation, and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Yvonne and his children.