OFB

Présentation

The French Biodiversity Office (OFB)

The French Biodiversity Office (Office français de la biodiversité – OFB) is a public agency dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity. One of its core priorities is to respond urgently to the challenges of protecting living organisms.

Established on 1 January 2020 by Law no. 2019-773 of 24 July 2019, the OFB operates under the supervision of the Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Its Director General is Pierre Dubreuil.

The OFB brings together the staff of the former French Agency for Biodiversity (AFB) and the National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS). Merging these two bodies to protect nature combines expertise across aquatic, terrestrial, and marine environments, creating a united front against the threats to biodiversity in France. This unification also ensures a strong presence across all regions of mainland France and the overseas territories, enabling effective local action.

Five Core Missions of the OFB

1. Knowledge, research and expertise on species, ecosystems, and their uses

2. Environmental policing and wildlife health enforcement

3. Support for implementing public policies

4. Management of and support to natural area managers

5. Support for stakeholders and public mobilisation

OFB in Numbers

• 2,800 staff members, including 1,900 in local and overseas offices

• A matrix organisation with national, regional, and local services working in close coordination

• Management of 9 marine nature parks and the Agoa marine mammal sanctuary

• Management of 26 nature reserves

Operational Resources

To fulfil its missions, the OFB relies on multidisciplinary teams comprising environmental inspectors, engineers, veterinarians, technicians, and administrative staff — over 2,800 personnel across the national territory.

Its matrix structure is designed to integrate all environments (land, sea, freshwater) through a three-tier approach:

• National level: policy and strategic direction (national departments and delegations)

• Regional level: coordination and regional implementation (regional directorates)

• Local level: operational and tailored actions (departmental services, coastal offices, marine parks, etc.)

Budget and Funding (2020)

In 2020, the OFB operated with a budget of €433 million, including:

• €67 million allocated to support France’s 11 national parks, including the new Forest National Park

• Funding sources included:

  • €332 million annual contributions from the water agencies

  • €41 million from the Ecophyto plan, derived from the tax on diffuse pollution

  • €41 million in State subsidies for public service charges under Programme 113: “Landscapes, Water, and Biodiversity” within the “Ecology, Sustainable Development and Mobility” budget mission