aid infodienst Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Verbraucherschutz e. V.

The Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (BLE) is a federal authority. In all, it employs approx. 1.400 staff throughout Germany and at sea. In the areas of agriculture, fisheries and foodstuffs the BLE fulfils a wide range of tasks. It is a central implementing authority within the scope of business of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The rules of the common EU agricultural and fisheries policy and the related organisation of controls shape the work of the BLE, which also acts as EU accredited paying agency. Within their areas of activity, the BLE control services and its fishery protection vessels ensure that statutory rules are complied with. In many cases the BLE also acts as nationwide accreditation body on behalf of private inspection bodies, for example for the monitoring of organic farms, or for sustainable production of biofuels and bioliquids for generating electricity and heat. The BLE furthermore collects data and information on prices with regard to topics related to agriculture and food, and which are processed for the BMEL, for providing information, for statistical purposes, and also for political decision making. As project initiator on behalf of the BMEL, the BLE manages, technically and in terms of organization, numerous national and international projects in the fields of food, agriculture and consumer protection. It also acts as provider of management services to the BMEL and authorities within the scope of business of the BMEL.