an apparatus is proposed which serves the purpose of load - dependent actuation of an adjustment device , wherein the cross section and / or the pressure drop of an exhaust recirculation line in an internal combustion engine can be varied in accordance with load . an injection pump of conventional design is associated with the internal combustion engine and further includes a quantity adjustment device , the position of which acts as a control variable for the load . with this control variable , a booster apparatus is controlled via a comparison apparatus ; the output variable of the booster apparatus in turn is the control variable for the actuation of an adjustment device which acts on an exhaust recirculation control apparatus . when a threshold value for load is exceeded , the exhaust recirculation is precluded . the control variable is preferably formed as a fuel pressure signal with the fuel withdrawn from the suction chamber of the injection pump . apparatuses are proposed by means of which , in the event of the actuation of the control apparatus for exhaust recirculation , the smallest possible removal quantity of fuel is required for control purposes .