The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MRiRW) is responsible for agricultural policy and the safety of food of animal origin and prepares draft legislation in this area. The MRiRW is supported by three competent specialist authorities responsible for control and inspection: the General Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW), the Main Inspectorate for Seeds and Plant Health (PIORIN), and the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS). The FAO/WHO Codex Contact Point for Poland is located at IJHARS.

The work of the MRiRW is mainly focused on risk management on food of animal origin and is based on scientific risk assessments prepared by the National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWET). The portfolio of the MRiRW includes safety of feed, residues of veterinary medicinal products, GMOs and zoonoses. In these areas, the MRiRW monitors the activities of the district and local authorities.

The MRiRW is the regulatory authority for pesticides and plant protection products. In the area of food safety, the MRiRW cooperates with the MZ, and for GMOs with both the MZ and the MS, for example. The portfolio of the MRiRW extends beyond food safety to animal health and animal welfare. The MRiRW is also responsible for the monitoring of contaminants in food of animal origin.