The BMEL`s research institutions
Well-founded scientific insights are crucial for political decisions. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) can draw on its well-positioned specialist research institutions.
This departmental research includes four federal research institutes as well as the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ). Innovative research and competent scientific policy advice are closely linked tasks undertaken by these institutions.
An overview ...
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) Federal Research Institute for Animal Health
- Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute (TI) Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
- Max Rubner Institute (MRI) Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food
These four institutes primarily work on scientific guidance in decision-making for the BMEL, but they also undertake certain statutory tasks. They conduct application-oriented research and expand the state of the art in their fields for the common good.
- The German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) investigates how biomass can be used sustainably and efficiently as an energy source.
- The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) conducts research into consumer health care.
The Leibniz institutes
In addition, five Leibniz institutes are co-funded by the BMEL and the federal state in which their headquarters are located. These institutes conduct application-oriented basic research, thus complementing the scientific range of the research institutes listed above.
- The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology
Institutions at federal state level
Research with an international focus
The research institutions are not limited to solving national issues: they also cooperate with European and international partners. Research is, for example, also conducted to further the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, to fight global hunger, and to fulfil international agreements.
The research findings are always made available to the public (Information System for Agriculture and Food Research). This means that consumers, practitioners in the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sectors, the business community, and people living in rural areas all benefit from BMEL research.
If the departmental research bodies do not have the capacity, or do not have sufficient capacity, to work on topics relevant to policy consultation, the BMEL can also finance research assignments carried out by third parties.
