The invention relates to the use of a microorganism of the genus Brevibacterium for the biological degradation of ochratoxin A, in which the microorganism is preferably Brevibacterium casei, Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium iodinum or Brevibacterium epidermidis. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the production of ochratoxin ± using said microorganism.