The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) is the competent authority responsible for developing and implementing national policies in the fields of agriculture, rural development, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary affairs, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, water management and hunting. The Ministry prepares and proposes primary and secondary legislation, develops strategic and policy documents, coordinates the harmonisation of national legislation with the European Union acquis, performs administrative and inspection supervision, and coordinates international cooperation within its areas of competence.

In the field of food and feed safety, the Ministry is responsible for establishing the national legislative and policy framework and ensuring its continuous alignment with European Union legislation. It prepares and proposes legislation governing food safety, official controls, animal health, plant health, plant protection products and other related areas, develops national strategies and policy documents, coordinates activities related to Montenegro's EU accession process under Chapter 12 – Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy, and cooperates with the European Commission and other international organisations within its areas of competence. The Ministry performs other tasks in accordance with the applicable legislation.