In collaboration with the bilateral Trade Development Programme and the support of the regional ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems project, the Standards in the Southeast Asian Food Trade project organized a study trip on GAP Extension Services, Regulatory Inspection and Certification Programme in Thailand for a delegation from Myanmar from 19 to 23 June 2017.

The purpose of the trip was to provide Myanmar regulators with a better understanding of the regulatory implementation of the GAP extension, inspection, and certification process in Thailand and to apply the knowledge gained from the study trip to their own national GAP Programme. National policies, regulations, available government support to the GAP Programme, the accreditation and certification system, extension services, and laboratory testing services in Thailand were also demonstrated.

The trip included a visit to the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), Plant Standard and Certification Division of the Department of Agriculture, Thailand and Central Laboratory (Thailand). On the production side, the delegates visited the Chainat Field Crop Research Centre to learn about mung bean production and processing. Information, challenges and experiences of the two countries were shared during discussions and the site visits. This activity was designed to enhance peer-to-peer learning among ASEAN Member States.