The importance of securing a safe and wholesome food supply is receiving more attention than ever before. Although the fish industry has been at the forefront of implementing food quality and safety regulations and programmes, the availability and harmonization of scientific information related to the safety and quality of fishery products require improvement. And with increasing demands and higher standards facing the food industry, there is a growing need for special programmes to help developing countries implement new international instruments.
This document presents the proceedings of the Fifth World Fish Inspection and Quality Control Congress held in October 2003. The issues discussed and outcomes point to a strong commitment by the international community to harmonize food control systems in order to facilitate global and responsible trade and assist member countries in developing national capacity to deal with this fast-changing area.
