The European Food Safety Authority has recently proposed a generic framework for a modern, flexible and dynamic risk-based meat safety assurance system. Implementation of such a system is expected to be a slow and careful process that would involve its thorough development, fine-tuning and testing its practical feasibility and general impacts. There are many research groups in Europe that currently perform studies, mostly at national level, to fill the knowledge gaps related to such a new system. The RIBMINS network allows exchange of ideas, experience and results of country-level research studies. Overall, the network aims to help the full development and implementation of the general principles of a meat safety assurance system across Europe for the benefit of consumers, industry and protection of animal health and welfare.