Pierre Lardinois

Pierre Joseph Lardinois (13 August 1924 – 16 July 1987) was a Dutch politician and diplomat of the Catholic People's Party (KVP) and agronomist.

Lardinois applied at the Wageningen Agricultural College in June 1942 majoring in Agronomy. During the German occupation Lardinois continued his study but in March 1943 the refused to sign a loyalty oath to the German occupation authority but to escape prosecution he was forced to enlist in the Arbeitslager in the German armored production industry. Following the end of World War II Lardinois returned to the Wageningen Agricultural College and obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in June 1947 before graduating with a Master of Science in Engineering degree in on 23 January 1951. Lardinois worked as an agronomist from October 1951 until February 1960 for the municipality of Purmerend from October 1951 until November 1952 and for the municipality of Eindhoven from November 1952 until February 1960. Lardinois worked as a civil servant for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as an agricultural Attaché in London, England from February 1960 until September 1963.

Lardinois became a Member of the House of Representatives after Victor Marijnen was appointed as Prime Minister in the Cabinet Marijnen after the election of 1963, taking office on 17 September 1963. Lardinois was selected as a Member of the European Parliament and dual served in those positions, taking office on 14 October 1963. Lardinois also became active in the public sector, in December 1964 Lardinois was appointed as a trade association executive for the North Brabant Christian Farmers' association (NCB) serving as chairman from 1 January 1965 until 5 April 1967. After the election of 1967 Lardinois was appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Cabinet De Jong, taking office on 5 April 1967. After the election of 1971 Lardinois returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 11 May 1971. Following the cabinet formation of 1971 Lardinois continued as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Cabinet Biesheuvel I, taking office on 6 July 1971. Lardinois was also appointed as Minister for Suriname and Netherlands Antilles Affairs, taking office on 28 January 1972. The Cabinet Biesheuvel I fell just one year later on 19 July 1972 and continued to serve in a demissionary capacity until it was replaced by the caretaker Cabinet Biesheuvel II with Lardinois continuing as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Suriname and Netherlands Antilles Affairs, taking office on 9 August 1972.

In December 1972 Lardinois was nominated as the next European Commissioner from the Netherlands. Lardinois was giving the portfolios of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Ortoli Commission, he resigned as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Suriname and Netherlands Antilles Affairs on 1 January 1973 and was installed as European Commissioner, serving from 6 January 1973 until 6 January 1977.

Lardinois retired after spending 13 years in national politics and became active in the private sector, in December 1976 Lardinois was appointed as CEO and Chairman of the Board of directors of the Rabobank serving from 1 January 1977 until 1 September 1986.

Lardinois was known for his abilities as a manager and policy wonk. Lardinois continued to comment on political affairs until his death from cancer at the age of 62.