Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)

The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) is a central implementing authority within the scope of business of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). BLE has a variety of tasks in the areas of agriculture, food, nutrition, rural areas, forestry, fisheries and consumer protection. As a central modern service provider it assists its partners in the German federal states, in the economy and within the scope of the BMEL.

For example BLE:

• deals with genetic resources of relevance for food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries and supports the BMEL where general issues regarding international cooperation and global food security are concerned.
• manages on behalf of the BMEL various national and international projects in the areas of food, agriculture and consumer protection, at technical and organisational level.
• collects, documents and disseminates data for providing information, for statistical purposes, and also for political decision making.
• functions as authorising body for the cross-border exchange of goods and services involving products of the food, agriculture, and forestry industries and issuing import and export licences as well as authorisations.