Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures play a critical role in protecting plant, animal, and human health, while also facilitating safe agricultural trade and strengthening the trust of international partners. It was found that the necessity of improvement of Lao PDR’s SPS framework arises from the gaps between regulations and their actual implementation, as well as the inconsistent application of measures by farmers and government agencies at the national, provincial, and district levels. This situation is further compounded by insufficient awareness among value chain actors, unreliable or incomplete guidance, and limited technical assistance at subnational levels. Moreover, poor harmonization has resulted in a disconnect between national regulations and provincial policies, while the lack of international recognition and trust in Lao SPS certification processes continues to undermine confidence, particularly in trade with key partners such as China.

To address these challenges, the project seeks to strengthen institutional capacity and harmonize SPS measures in line with international standards, thereby facilitating safer and more competitive agricultural trade. As part of the technical assistance to SEARECC Sub-Component 3.1, the project team is committed to contributing to the modernization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) management and the promotion of agricultural trade by enhancing the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Offices (PAFOs & DAFOs), border checkpoints, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in managing cross-border agricultural and food product trade and SPS management.
The specific objectives include:

• Improving the enabling environment;
• Legislative review and improvement;
• Capacity building;
• Gender inclusivity.