The Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) is an independent higher federal authority and research institution. It is subordinate to BMLEH. Tasks are stipulated in the German Crop Protection Act, in the Chemical Act, in the Gene Technology Act and order regulations. The main task is to advise the German Federal Government concerning issues related to crop production, soil science, plant genetics, plant breeding, plant protection, plant health, forest protection and bee protection.

Within the framework of zonal evaluation procedures as well as EU and national approval procedures, JKI evaluates plant protection products and their active ingredients for application on cultivated plants with regard to their efficacy and phytotoxicity. The effects on bees, non-target and useful organisms are also assessed. A further task closely related to the evaluation of plant protection products is the testing and listing of plant protection equipment to assess its suitability to meet application requirements.

JKI develops early warning systems, analyses and evaluates the risks of introduction, spread and harmful effects of quarantine pests and invasive alien species. JKI develops measures to prevent their introduction and spread and for their eradication. As the National Reference Laboratory for the diagnosis of pests on plants, JKI is the central point in the network of EU reference laboratories and diagnostic laboratories in Germany. JKI is involved in the approval procedure for the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). JKI investigates if and how new biotechnological processes should be applied in plant breeding and how they should be integrated into sustainable plant production and what risk potentials and possible need for regulation are associated with this.