Sanitary and phytosanitary measures: enhancing agro-food trade in the Lao PDR

The study examines legal and regulatory measures, border crossing procedures and institutional capacities affecting Lao agro-food exports and imports. It reviews the experiences of the private sector with SPS export and import procedures, and identifies gaps and weaknesses in the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. The report also looks at the SPS requirements of Lao PDR's main trading partners: China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Each importing country has its own requirements based on established practices and perceptions of import-related risks. Requirements evolve with economic development, changing requirements in domestic and international markets, regional harmonization, continuing implementation of international standards, and perceptions of newly emerging SPS risks.