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{{#drawio:Germany|max-width=650px}} | {{#drawio:Germany|max-width=650px}} | ||
The central legal foundation for food legislation in Germany is the Food and Feed Code (Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch), and the legislative responsibilities lie almost exclusively with the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and its subordinate authorities. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures with regard to food safety are | The central legal foundation for food legislation in Germany is the Food and Feed Code (Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch), and the legislative responsibilities lie almost exclusively with the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and its subordinate authorities. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures with regard to food safety are generally based on scientific risk assessments. | ||
In Germany, risk assessment and risk management are institutionally separated at the federal level. However, at the regional level (i.e. the 16 federal states), risk assessment and risk management are not institutionally separated. Food safety laws are enacted at the federal level, but competence for official food control lies with the federal states. | In Germany, risk assessment and risk management are institutionally separated at the federal level. However, at the regional level (i.e. the 16 federal states), risk assessment and risk management are not institutionally separated. Food safety laws are enacted at the federal level, but competence for official food control lies with the federal states. | ||
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!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:NovelFood.png|Novel foods|link=Novel foods|25px]] [[File:Nutrition.png|Nutrition|link=Nutrition|25px]] | ||
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!Locations | !Locations | ||
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!URL | !URL | ||
| | |https://www.bmel.de/EN/Home/home_node.html | ||
|} | |} | ||
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is responsible for agricultural policy and food safety. In the field of food safety, BMEL prepares draft legislation and issues related statutory regulations. BMEL is assisted by several scientific | The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is responsible for agricultural policy and food safety. In the field of food safety, BMEL prepares draft legislation and issues related to statutory regulations. BMEL is assisted by several scientific Advisory Boards (ABs), such as for the Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection, Biodiversity and Genetic Resources. The institutions within the BMEL's portfolio include higher federal authorities, legally independent institutions, the federal research centres, institutions belonging to the Leibniz Association and recipients of institutional grants. | ||
BMEL is the central competent authority (CCA) for EU legislation in the field of foodstuffs and food hygiene, for GMOs in food and feed, and for negotiations on legislative provisions concerning food safety and their transposition into national law. Furthermore, it is the CCA in the area of plant health, for animal welfare, and for EU legislation related to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in foodstuffs of plant and animal origin. | |||
BMEL is | BMEL is responsible for general food hygiene under Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. It is also responsible for drawing up the report on the controls carried out by the Länder authorities on the marketing and use of plant protection products, pursuant to Art. 68 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. | ||
In the field of animal nutrition, it is responsible for drafting legislation at the federal level and for coordinating its implementation with the assistance of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL). Regarding food safety risks, BMEL receives advice from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). | |||
BMEL | BMEL encompasses the federal research institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36, which give advice on various matters. These include the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) in the area of animal diseases, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal nutrition and farm animal genetics, the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) with regard to plant health and plant protection matters, and the Max Rubner-Institut (MRI) in the field of nutrition and food. Furthermore, as part of the Article 36 network, the Thünen Institute (TI) provides advice on matters concerning plant health, genetically modified organisms, animal health and welfare, as well as environmental risk assessments. | ||
Well-founded scientific insights are crucial for political decisions. BMEL can draw on its well-positioned specialist research institutions. This departmental research includes four federal research institutes as well as the German 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. | Well-founded scientific insights are crucial for political decisions. BMEL can draw on its well-positioned specialist research institutions. This departmental research includes the four federal research institutes as well as the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum). Innovative research and competent scientific policy advice are closely linked tasks undertaken by these institutions. | ||
== German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment == | == German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment == | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
|German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment | |German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Acronym | !Acronym | ||
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!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:NovelFood.png|Novel foods|link=Novel foods|25px]] [[File:Nutrition.png|Nutrition|link=Nutrition|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]] | ||
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!Location | !Location | ||
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!URL | !URL | ||
|https://www.bfr.bund.de/en | |https://www.bfr.bund.de/en | ||
|} | |} | ||
The remit of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) encompasses scientifically based risk assessments as part of administrative procedures (for instance, marketing authorisations for plant protection products), the compilation of expert reports on issues of food safety and consumer protection based on internationally recognised scientific assessment criteria, and policy advice. In its capacity as a scientific body, the BfR prepares expert reports on risk assessment. The BfR collaborates at the national and international level with other scientific organisations which are active in consumer health protection and food safety. Furthermore, the BfR is tasked with identifying new health risks and drawing up risk minimisation recommendations | The remit of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) encompasses scientifically based risk assessments as part of administrative procedures (for instance, marketing authorisations for plant protection products), the compilation of expert reports on issues of food safety and consumer protection based on internationally recognised scientific assessment criteria, and policy advice. In its capacity as a scientific body, the BfR prepares expert reports on risk assessment. The BfR collaborates at the national and international level with other scientific organisations which are active in consumer health protection and food safety. Furthermore, the BfR is tasked with identifying new health risks and drawing up risk minimisation recommendations, it has a legal mandate to conduct research in fields regarding its work on consumer health protection and food and feed safety as well. The BfR is independent regarding its scientific assessment, research and communication. Research findings are used to provide information and scientific advice to BMEL and other ministries as well as to regional and local public authorities. | ||
The BfR’s remit includes documentation on poisoning incidents, the evaluation of methods to replace or supplement animal testing, and the assessment of developmental trends of zoonotic pathogens (including antibiotic resistance). Other main areas of its work are research and transparent communication of risks to the public at large, scientific circles and other stakeholders. A list of its responsibilities can be found in the German Act on the Reorganisation of Consumer Health Protection and Food Safety. | The BfR’s remit also includes documentation on poisoning incidents, the evaluation of methods to replace or supplement animal testing, and the assessment of developmental trends of zoonotic pathogens (including antibiotic resistance). Other main areas of its work are research and transparent communication of risks to the public at large, scientific circles and other stakeholders. A list of its responsibilities can be found in the German Act on the Reorganisation of Consumer Health Protection and Food Safety. | ||
In addition, the BfR is also responsible for risk assessments and risk communication in the area of safety of consumer products, cosmetics, biocides and chemicals (REACH). Furthermore, the BfR collects and evaluates notifications of intoxication caused by chemicals | In addition, the BfR is also responsible for risk assessments and risk communication in the area of safety of consumer products, cosmetics, biocides and chemicals (REACH). Furthermore, the BfR collects and evaluates notifications of intoxication caused by chemicals. It carries out risk assessments on plant protection products and biocidal products in relation to toxicology and residues. Also methods for residues analysis are evaluated for control purposes. | ||
Fourteen National Reference Laboratories (NRLs), active in the fields of food and feed safety as well as food hygiene, are attached to the BfR pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/625. They are NRLs for Salmonella, Monitoring of Marine Biotoxins, Foodborne Viruses, Listeria monocytogenes, Coagulase-positive Staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli including Verotoxin-producing E. coli, Campylobacter, Trichinella, Antibiotic Resistance, Animal Proteins in Feed, Additives for Use in Animal Nutrition, Food Contact Materials, Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins in Feed and Food as well as for Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Feed and Food, respectively. In addition to these NRLs based on EU law, other laboratories with a reference function are also attached to the BfR. These include the reference laboratory in the network of genetically modified organisms (GMO), the top appraisal body for the import control of wine in accordance with the wine monitoring regulation, zoonosis reporting, and the consultant laboratories for Leptospira, Yersinia as well as Vibrios. | |||
An essential part of socio-scientific risk research at the BfR is the development of effective risk communication strategies. Here, the outcomes of scientific risk characterisations are merged with the information needs of relevant target groups from science, economics, politics, public institutions, (consumer) associations, the media, NGOs and consumers. Comparison of individual risk perceptions with results coming from scientific risk assessments and descriptions of scientific uncertainty are prerequisites for conducting subsequent participatory risk communication measures. | |||
== Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety == | == Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety == | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
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!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:NovelFood.png|Novel foods|link=Novel foods|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]] | ||
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!Locations | !Locations | ||
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In addition to food and feed safety, the activities of the BVL extend, amongst other things, to cosmetics, tobacco, and consumer products which come into contact with food or human skin. | In addition to food and feed safety, the activities of the BVL extend, amongst other things, to cosmetics, tobacco, and consumer products which come into contact with food or human skin. | ||
== Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut | == Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health == | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
|Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut | |Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health | ||
|- | |- | ||
! | !Acronym | ||
| | |FLI | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Activities | !Activities | ||
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!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Location | !Location | ||
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|} | |} | ||
The work of Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) focusses on farm animal health and welfare and on the protection of humans from zoonoses, i.e. infections which can be transmitted from animals to humans. These tasks are defined in Section 27 of the Animal Health Act. FLI conducts basic and applied research in different scientific fields. | The work of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) focusses on farm animal health and welfare and on the protection of humans from zoonoses, i.e. infections which can be transmitted from animals to humans. These tasks are defined in Section 27 of the Animal Health Act. FLI conducts basic and applied research in different scientific fields. | ||
As a federal research institute and independent higher federal authority under BMEL, FLI provides advice for political decision-making based on its scientific expertise. The institute performs epidemiological investigations during outbreaks of animal diseases and prepares risk assessments on various infectious diseases of farm animals. | As a federal research institute and independent higher federal authority under BMEL, FLI provides advice for political decision-making based on its scientific expertise. The institute performs epidemiological investigations during outbreaks of animal diseases and prepares risk assessments on various infectious diseases of farm animals. | ||
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Furthermore, FLI is a member of the EU Reference Centre for Animal Welfare. As the national contact point, FLI scientifically supports the competent authorities in the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, Article 20, regarding the protection of animals at the time of killing. | Furthermore, FLI is a member of the EU Reference Centre for Animal Welfare. As the national contact point, FLI scientifically supports the competent authorities in the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, Article 20, regarding the protection of animals at the time of killing. | ||
== | == Julius Kühn Institute –Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants == | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
| | |Julius Kühn Institute –Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Acronym | !Acronym | ||
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!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:PlantHealth.png|Plant health|link=Plant health|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] | ||
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!Location | !Location | ||
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!URL | !URL | ||
| | |http://www.julius-kuehn.de/en | ||
|} | |} | ||
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== Max Rubner-Institut – Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food == | == Max Rubner-Institut – Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food == | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
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|- | |- | ||
!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:NovelFood.png|Novel foods|link=Novel foods|25px]] [[File:Nutrition.png|Nutrition|link=Nutrition|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]] | ||
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!Location | !Location | ||
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{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
| Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute – Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries | |Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute – Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Acronym | !Acronym | ||
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!Responsibilities | !Responsibilities | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:PlantHealth.png|Plant health|link=Plant health|25px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Location | !Location | ||
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|} | |} | ||
In general, the Thünen Institute carries out research and long term-monitoring and provides policy advice with regard to natural resources, protected assets as well as respective production systems and economic and societal issues in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural areas (see | In general, the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute (TI) carries out research and long term-monitoring and provides policy advice with regard to natural resources, protected assets as well as respective production systems and economic and societal issues in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural areas (see www.thuenen.de > TOPICS). (link) | ||
EFSA-relevant activities at the | EFSA-relevant activities at the TI focus on animal health and welfare, genetically modified organisms, environmental risk assessments, possible contaminants and their impact on humans (e.g. microplastics in fish and soils) and certain areas of plant health. Several of these activities are embedded in co-operations with FLI, JKI, MRI and other scientific partners in Germany and abroad. | ||
== Regional and local levels == | == Regional and local levels == | ||
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In Germany, the federal states are responsible for food control. In most federal states, food control is divided into three levels: At the uppermost level, the responsible ministry coordinates the food control. Below that, the provincial authorities or the regional government offices are responsible for the supervisory control of the food control authorities in the district or municipal authorities (‘Kreise und Kreisfreie Städte’). These local offices for food and veterinary control carry out the investigations locally. | In Germany, the federal states are responsible for food control. In most federal states, food control is divided into three levels: At the uppermost level, the responsible ministry coordinates the food control. Below that, the provincial authorities or the regional government offices are responsible for the supervisory control of the food control authorities in the district or municipal authorities (‘Kreise und Kreisfreie Städte’). These local offices for food and veterinary control carry out the investigations locally. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36 Reg. (EC) No. 178/2002 | !Institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36 Reg. (EC) No. 178/2002 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
#German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment(Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung | #German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung) (EFSA Focal Point) | ||
#Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) (Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit) | #Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) (Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit) | ||
#Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit) | #Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit) | ||
