This PPG, requested by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR will be used to:

• Take stock of ongoing and planned projects supporting the SPS sector (with a particular focus on the fresh fruit and vegetables sector), and identify critical SPS capacity building needs and possible synergies with other ongoing/planned activities;
  
  
• Undertake fieldwork to analyse constraints faced by the fruits and vegetable sector in terms of compliance with SPS requirements of importing countries (including the EU) related to the detection of quarantine pests, microbial and pesticide contamination, and explore options to overcome these challenges; and
  
  
• Conduct a workshop to discuss and confirm the priorities identified during fieldwork and develop a focused project proposal to address weaknesses in Lao PDR's existing SPS system with the aim to strengthen and increase the export of fresh fruit and vegetable products to the EU and other potential markets.