Benoît Cassart MEP

Benoît Cassart is a Belgian politician affiliated with the Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party, a liberal political group. Elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in the 2024 European elections, he represents the French-speaking electoral college of Belgium. As an active member of the Renew Europe group, Cassart plays a pivotal role in shaping the legislative framework and policies of the European Union.

Current Roles and Key Achievements:

• Committee Memberships:
  • Committee on International Trade (INTA): Focuses on trade agreements and external economic relations.
  • Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): Works on policies related to transport infrastructure and the tourism industry.
• Delegations:
  • Cassart is part of delegations fostering relations with key international regions:
    • Maghreb Countries: Focused on strengthening ties with North African nations.
    • Andean Community: Engaged in deepening relations with countries in the Andean region of South America.

Prior Experience:

Before entering politics, Benoît Cassart was involved in agriculture, specifically as a cattle breeder in Havelange, Belgium. This background has influenced his perspective on rural and agricultural policies within the European Union.

Political Commitment:

Benoît Cassart’s political work emphasizes his commitment to European integration and regional cooperation, advocating for stronger ties between European and international partners, as well as fostering economic development through trade and transport initiatives.

Personal Background

Birthdate and Birthplace:

• Date of Birth: October 2, 1968
• Place of Birth: Liège, Belgium

Benoît Cassart was born in Liège, a city located in the French-speaking region of Wallonia in Belgium. His birth date places him in his mid-50s, a period during which he has gained significant experience both in the agricultural and political arenas.

Education and Qualifications:

• There is limited publicly available information about Benoît Cassart’s specific educational background.
• UCLouvain: He is associated with Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), one of Belgium’s leading academic institutions. While the exact nature of his studies at UCLouvain is not detailed, his affiliation with the university suggests a strong foundation in academic training, possibly in areas related to his subsequent professional endeavors.

Professional Career Before Entering Politics:

• Agricultural Background: Before entering politics, Benoît Cassart had a career rooted in agriculture, where he worked as a cattle breeder in Havelange, a municipality in the Walloon region of Belgium. His experiences in farming have shaped his understanding of rural issues and agricultural policies.
• Business Endeavor: Cassart was also the founder and manager of Fabroca sprl, a company that was likely focused on activities related to agriculture. This role contributed to his business acumen and entrepreneurial skills, which he later brought into his political career.

 Family Details

• Spouse: Benoît Cassart is married to Mary Coupez.
• Children: The couple has four children, namely:
  • Pauline Cassart
  • Estelle Cassart
  • Baptiste Cassart
  • A fourth son, whose name has not been specified in the available sources.

Political Career

Entering Politics:

• Election to the European Parliament: Benoît Cassart entered politics by being elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in the 2024 European Parliament election.
• Political Affiliation: He is a member of the Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party, which aligns with the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament.
• Electoral Representation: Cassart represents the French-speaking electoral college of Belgium, marking a significant step in his transition from an agricultural background to a role in European politics.

Milestones:

• Transition from Agriculture to Politics: Cassart’s election to the European Parliament in 2024 is a key milestone, marking his shift from being a cattle breeder to a prominent political figure in the EU. This transition reflects his growing influence in the political sphere.
• Advocacy for Agricultural Interests: With a strong background in agriculture, including his experience as a cattle breeder and roles in agricultural organizations, Cassart has become a vocal advocate for agricultural interests within European politics. Notably, he served as the spokesman and secretary general of Belgium’s National Livestock and Meat Trade Federation, which has positioned him to champion agricultural policies at the EU level.

Key Roles Held:

• Committee Memberships:
  • Committee on International Trade (INTA): As a member of the INTA committee, Cassart is involved in shaping policies related to international trade agreements and economic relations between the EU and the rest of the world.
  • Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): Cassart is also a member of the TRAN committee, where he contributes to legislative work regarding transport infrastructure, mobility, and tourism policies within the EU.
  • Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development: Cassart serves as a substitute member of this committee, which is particularly relevant to his background and expertise in agriculture, rural development, and related EU policies.
• Delegations:
  • Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries and the Arab Maghreb Union: Cassart is an active member of this delegation, which focuses on strengthening EU relations with countries in North Africa.
  • Delegation for Relations with the Countries of the Andean Community: As a member, Cassart is involved in promoting EU ties with the Andean countries in South America.
  • Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly: He is a member of this delegation, which aims to foster collaboration and dialogue between the European Union and Latin American nations.
  • Delegation for Relations with Mercosur: Cassart holds the role of substitute member for this delegation, which is dedicated to enhancing trade and political relations between the EU and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay).
• Leadership Positions:
  While Benoît Cassart has not held any ministerial roles, he is actively engaged as a shadow rapporteur on animal transport. In this capacity, he works closely with industry groups and stakeholders to shape policy proposals, demonstrating his leadership in animal welfare and transportation-related legislative work.

 Net Worth 2025

As of 2025, there is no publicly available information regarding Benoît Cassart’s specific net worth. However, several factors provide insight into his financial situation:

• Salary as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP):
  • MEPs receive an annual salary of approximately €100,000, which constitutes a significant portion of Cassart’s income. As an active MEP representing Belgium, his earnings are in line with the standard parliamentary salary for members of the European Parliament.
• Past Business Ventures:
  • Founder and Managing Director of Fabroca: Prior to his election to the European Parliament, Cassart was the founder and former managing director of Fabroca, a company specializing in the distribution of bovine sperm. While Cassart no longer receives a salary from Fabroca following his political career, his involvement in this business likely contributed to his wealth before he transitioned into politics.
  • Cattle Breeding in Havelange: Cassart’s background as a cattle breeder in Havelange also forms a part of his professional history, although there is no detailed financial data available regarding the profitability of his agricultural activities.
• No Salary from Fabroca Post-Election:
  • According to Cassart’s spokesperson, he has not received any salary or financial remuneration from Fabroca since his election to the European Parliament in 2024. This change suggests that his financial income now primarily derives from his role as an MEP.

Current Role in the European Parliament

Committees and Delegations:

Benoît Cassart currently serves in several committees and delegations within the European Parliament, contributing to a range of policy areas:

• Committee on International Trade (INTA):
  • As a member, Cassart participates in shaping European trade policies, focusing on international agreements and trade relations that impact the EU’s economy and its agricultural exports.
• Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN):
  • Cassart is also a member of the TRAN committee, where he engages in discussions about the development and regulation of transport infrastructure, mobility, and tourism policies across Europe.
• Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development:
  • Cassart serves as a substitute member, contributing to discussions on agricultural policies, rural development, and food security, drawing on his background in farming.
• Delegations:
  • Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries and the Arab Maghreb Union: Member, working to strengthen EU relations with North African countries.
  • Delegation for Relations with the Countries of the Andean Community: Member, focusing on enhancing cooperation between the EU and the Andean region of South America.
  • Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly: Member, contributing to dialogue between the EU and Latin American countries.
  • Delegation for Relations with Mercosur: Substitute member, engaging with the South American trading bloc to foster economic and political ties.

Specific Responsibilities and Areas of Focus:

Cassart’s key areas of focus within the European Parliament are:

• Agriculture and Livestock Farming:
  Drawing from his background as a cattle breeder, Cassart has become a strong advocate for sustainable agricultural practices. He has been involved in initiatives such as the Intergroup on Sustainable Livestock, which promotes environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable livestock farming across Europe. His advocacy for the agricultural sector is aligned with his broader commitment to ensuring food autonomy and sustainability.
• Trade:
  Through his work in the Committee on International Trade, Cassart focuses on ensuring that European trade policies, particularly those related to agriculture, support the interests of European farmers while promoting global trade relations that benefit the EU economy.

Legislative Initiatives or Contributions:

Cassart has contributed to various legislative discussions and initiatives:

• Written Questions:
  • He has raised written questions on topics such as disinformation, the impact of platforms like TikTok on elections, and policies around the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. These contributions indicate his interest in addressing contemporary challenges related to digital media and sustainability.
• Sustainable Livestock:
  His leadership in the Intergroup on Sustainable Livestock demonstrates his commitment to shaping policies that balance agricultural development with environmental and social considerations.

Positions on Key Policies:

Cassart has clearly defined positions on several key policy areas, reflective of his political and professional experience:

• Climate Change and Sustainability:
  Cassart supports policies that promote sustainable practices in agriculture. Recognizing the sector’s significant environmental footprint, he advocates for solutions that balance agricultural productivity with environmental protection, contributing to the broader global goal of reducing climate change impacts.
• Trade:
  As part of the INTA committee, Cassart is engaged in formulating international trade policies that are vital for the success of European agricultural exports. His involvement underscores the importance of global markets for European agriculture and the need to navigate international trade complexities.
• Digitalization:
  Cassart has shown a keen interest in digital issues, particularly in his inquiries related to disinformation on social media platforms. This indicates his awareness of the influence of digital platforms on public opinion and elections, as well as their broader societal impacts.
• Human Rights:
  While specific positions on human rights have not been explicitly outlined, Cassart’s involvement in various international delegations suggests an awareness of global human rights issues. His work with regions such as the Maghreb, Andean countries, and Mercosur points to a broader concern for fostering democratic values and political stability internationally.