On February 1, 2026, the former head of Division 3 (“Test Management”), Ms. Karin Riemer, took over the management of the Federal Plant Variety Office (BSA). The graduate agricultural engineer succeeds Mr. Elmar Pfülb, who had been head of the office since January 1, 2020, and who retired at the end of January 31, 2026.

Before joining the BSA in 2001, Karin Riemer worked for several years as a laboratory manager for a breeding company. At the Federal Plant Variety Office, she initially took on roles as a technician and technical assistant in horticulture. In 2011, she changed to the press and public relations department and took over as head of Section P 2 (“Communication, Biopatent Monitoring, Quality Management”) in November 2013. There, she played a significant role in setting up and establishing the biopatent monitoring system for the federal government. Parallel to her work at the Federal Plant Variety Office, Ms. Riemer completed a degree in patent engineering between 2014 and 2015 and took over as head of Section 301 (“Coordination of Testing, Real Estate and Servicemanagement, Health and Safety at work”) in 2015. In October 2020, she was additionally appointed head of Division 3.

In addition to her functions as head, Ms. Riemer was responsible for the implementation and organization of occupational health and safety, including accident prevention, as the occupational safety officer.

At the international level, Karin Riemer also worked for several years as a technical expert for the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), where she deepened her knowledge of the processes and procedures of the European plant variety and seed testing system.

Karin Riemer said on taking office: "I am grateful for the trust placed in me and the opportunity to take over the management of the Federal Plant Variety Office in the future. My goal is to continue to ensure the high professional quality and reliability of variety testing and listing and to further develop the Federal Plant Variety Office as a modern and efficient authority. Together with the employees and our national and international partners, I would like to contribute to further strengthening the framework conditions for a future-proof plant variety system and sustainable plant production."

Karin Riemer lives in Hanover, is married, and has three children.