The overall objective of PromSTAP is to encourage regional and local authorities to work together on the innovation, implementation and internationalisation of the stable to table approach in order to improve the effectiveness of regional policies and instruments in the field of food safety and quality. Achievements: Achievements so far EU authorities carefully evaluate risk and always seek the best possible scientific advice before banning or permitting any product, ingredient, additive or GMO. This applies to all feed and food, irrespective of whether it comes from inside or outside the EU. Considering the EU´s ambition seven regions from Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Bulgaria have launched a project called 'PromSTAP' (promotion the stable to table approach) to establish a European expert network on food safety and quality in the beginning of 2005 (www.promstap.org). Experts from scientific organisations, public authorities and the food industry develop new approaches applicable to all food operators right through the food chain 'from stable to table', together with effective instruments to manage food safety and any future food crises throughout the food chain. PromSTAP traces the different stages of the food chain system and examines the practices and procedures that ensure the safety of our food. The purpose of several interregional sub-projects within PromSTAP was to explain the complex process by which food reaches the consumer's table and the systems and technologies that ensure the quality and safety of food. In addition project participants elaborated incentives for initiatives to build up chain oriented quality management systems and supported integrated quality management systems in enterprises of the agricultural and food industry. Combining the widespread interests of diverse regional organisations with the new approaches and instruments being developed by public regional authorities relies heavily on successful cooperation across the EU territory as well as across international borders. Thus the overall objective of PromSTAP was to 'promote the innovation, implementation and internationalisation of the stable to table approach' as a way to improve the effectiveness of regions' policies and instruments for regional development and cohesion. For the 7 participating regions in this RFO it is an excellent opportunity to widen and to deepen their existing inter-regional links and co-operation and to reduce barriers, enhance a sustainable and balanced development in the regions and to offer new alternatives for new co-operation with partners from third countries. In particular the objectives of PromSTAP are: 1. Promoting public private partnerships to support the implementation of new approaches in food safety and quality; 2. Promoting innovations and flexibility of Small and Medium Enterprises in food chains in fast changing markets and legal environment; 3. Improvement of integrated food safety and monitoring systems in international food chains. Final results of all interregional workgroups are available at the PromSTAP-website (www.promstap.org and www.giqs.org). Furthermore, all organisations and experts involved in PromSTAP can be found within the PromSTAP data base.