Context

This action is designed to strengthen the capacity of public and private sector organizations in fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) value chains in Uganda to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for domestic and export markets. The action will particularly focus on the requirements of the EU plant health and food safety regulations, to safeguard consumers’ health and increase competitiveness of the horticulture exports to the EU and other markets. The proposed action addresses recurrent non-compliance with EU exports and SPS requirements for regulated pests as well as MRLs relating to plant protection products, production, Inspection and Quality Management Systems for import and export certification (with the packaging house and others) including SPS-related challenges, in an endeavour to enhance the potential to expand Uganda’s market share for fresh fruits and vegetables and attract additional investments needed to grow the subsector, building on existing initiatives in the country.

The ‘Improving sanitary and phytosanitary standards in horticulture in Uganda (SPS Uganda)’ programme entrusted to CABI for its implementation. COLEAD is a co-applicant of the programme and will be involved in activities relating mainly to the specific objective n°2.

Objectives

Overall Objective : To inclusively strengthen the capacity of public and private sector organisations in Uganda to comply with phytosanitary and food safety measures for fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) value chains in export markets, particularly the regulatory and markets requirements of the EU plant health and food safety regulations, to safeguard consumers’ health and increase exports to the EU.

Specific Objectives :

1. Support an enabling environment in the regulatory and operational processes of the competent authorities needed to implement phytosanitary measures in the fresh fruits and vegetables export industry
2. To enhance production and produce handling processes among private sector actors for improved compliance of fruit and vegetable value chains in Uganda with phytosanitary and food safety regulations to meet market requirements
3. Establish and implement an effective phytosanitary and food safety coordination, communication, and information-sharing mechanism.

Partner beneficiaries

Direct partner beneficiaries in Uganda include local competent authorities such as National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), Ministries, target business operators and  support services (enabling environment).  Indirect partner beneficiaries include local, regional and EU purchasing, processing, and retail companies (stimulating investments); Ugandan, regional and EU consumers, consumer associations and rural communities.