Intercountry trade agreements can be a strong motivating force and should be used as a mechanism for the promotion of the HACCP system Time-scale As the adoption of HACCP systems constitutes a major reform, the transition from existing traditional food hygiene control system to a HACCP approach should considered within a realistic time-scale, especially where a regulatory approach is taken The time-scale should be adapted to each country's individual situation, taking into account the resources available and allowing enough time and opportunities for training Where regulations are enacted, sufficient time for training and implementation should be given before enforcement action is taken Resource assessment and capacity building HACCP implementation allows for enforcement resources to be more effectively utilized However, in the initial stages, the implementation of the HACCP system requires additional resources encompassing qualified personnel, technical support facilities and financial inputs. Governmental agencies and the various sectors of the food chain are likely to have different needs. Training requirements, resource inputs(both human and material) and access to specific expertise from a variety of sources all need to be taken into consideration. These may be available from within the government, international organizations, industry sectors and sectors of the academia already familiar with HACCP principles. Both the private sector and government should contribute to mobilizing the necessary resources. Developing countries facing difficulties in mobilizing the necessary resources may have to seek assistance from donor agencies and international organizations Regulatory considerations Any consideration of the necessity to adopt a regulatory approach to HACCP will depend upon the strategy chosen to secure food safety in the relevant industry sectors Legislative or regulatory objectives should concentrate on what is to be achieved and not how they should be achieved. The latter issue rests firmly in the domain of the food industry and their HACCP systems A voluntary HACCP approach can be effective in securing improvements in the safety of the food chain. In many cases, industry sectors have introduced the principles of HACCP without a regulatory requirement. In such voluntary programmes, training initiatives on a pan-industry or a more targeted basis may prove the most effective mechanism for the successful implementation of HACCP. There are numerous benefits with the implementation of HACCP as a regulatory tool for food safety control. Key benefits includeIntercountry trade agreements can be a strong motivating force and should be used as a mechanism for the promotion of the HACCP system. Time-scale As the adoption of HACCP systems constitutes a major reform, the transition from an existing traditional food hygiene control system to a HACCP approach should be considered within a realistic time-scale, especially where a regulatory approach is taken. The time-scale should be adapted to each country's individual situation, taking into account the resources available and allowing enough time and opportunities for training. Where regulations are enacted, sufficient time for training and implementation should be given before enforcement action is taken. Resource assessment and capacity building HACCP implementation allows for enforcement resources to be more effectively utilized. However, in the initial stages, the implementation of the HACCP system requires additional resources encompassing qualified personnel, technical support facilities and financial inputs. Governmental agencies and the various sectors of the food chain are likely to have different needs. Training requirements, resource inputs (both human and material) and access to specific expertise from a variety of sources all need to be taken into consideration. These may be available from within the government, international organizations, industry sectors and sectors of the academia already familiar with HACCP principles. Both the private sector and government should contribute to mobilizing the necessary resources. Developing countries facing difficulties in mobilizing the necessary resources may have to seek assistance from donor agencies and international organizations. Regulatory considerations Any consideration of the necessity to adopt a regulatory approach to HACCP will depend upon the strategy chosen to secure food safety in the relevant industry sectors. Legislative or regulatory objectives should concentrate on what is to be achieved and not how they should be achieved. The latter issue rests firmly in the domain of the food industry and their HACCP systems. A voluntary HACCP approach can be effective in securing improvements in the safety of the food chain. In many cases, industry sectors have introduced the principles of HACCP without a regulatory requirement. In such voluntary programmes, training initiatives on a pan-industry or a more targeted basis may prove the most effective mechanism for the successful implementation of HACCP. There are numerous benefits with the implementation of HACCP as a regulatory tool for food safety control. Key benefits include: