Bhutan recognises the need to have an effective SPS control system, including inspection and certification programmes at the border, to protect consumers, animals, and plants against SPS risks while fostering international trade and promoting market access. The purpose of this PPG is to design a project proposal to build capacity and improve Bhutan's SPS control system with a focus on border measures, including border inspection, testing and certification processes for imports and exports. The resulting project is expected to enable Bhutan to put in place practical processes and improve institutional capacity and human resources to protect human, animal and plant life and health and ensure food safety. It is hoped that the resulting project will contribute to effective SPS risk management in Bhutan while facilitating market access and reduce costs for Bhutan's exports. 

The PPG will be used to examine the current legal framework, existing SPS border control systems, including border inspection, certification and biosecurity measures, and existing laboratory systems, with the aim to identify gaps and assess critical needs; explore possible synergies with other ongoing/planned projects in Bhutan as well as with other relevant work initiatives; and develop a focused project proposal to improve Bhutan's SPS border control system for imports and exports to facilitate trade while achieving the expected level of protection against SPS risks. This may include examining the feasibility of a risk prioritization plan for the modernization and improvement of phytosanitary services.