Category: News

𝟖-𝟗 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑: The Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan is currently holding a consultation meeting to review the draft Livestock Bill of Bhutan with an objective to foster constructive discussions and solicit valuable insights from internal departments of the Ministry, as well as representatives from external Ministries. The consultation meeting is being attended by participants from various ministries, independent authorities, Royal Bhutan Police, Thromde, State Owned Enterprise, Civil Society Organization Authority, private enterprises representing poultry production and meat vendor associations in the country.

The existing Livestock Act of Bhutan was enacted by the National Assembly on August 25, 2001 during its 79th session. Since its adoption, numerous issues emerged which were not addressed by the existing legislation. Furthermore, the implementation of the law became ambiguous, causing difficulties in defining authorities and carrying out effective enforcement. Given the current era of globalization, it is crucial to prioritize animal health and production to facilitate safe international trade of animals and animal products, while avoiding unnecessary obstacles or trade barriers.

Recognizing the shortcomings of the existing legislation, the Department of Livestock, in collaboration with the Legal Services of the Ministry, conducted a comprehensive Legislative Impact Assessment (LIA) and submitted it to the government. Subsequently, during the 131st session of the third Lhengye Zhungtshog on October 26, 2022, the revision of the Livestock Act of Bhutan 2001 was approved.

The revision aims to address the aforementioned shortcomings by clearly delineating the powers and responsibilities of relevant authorities, including the technical Department and the corresponding regulatory authority. Additionally, the revised bill will encompass provisions related to all aspects of animal production, health, welfare, nutrition, and veterinary public health and safety.

To ensure a robust and inclusive process, the Draft Livestock Bill underwent internal consultation with colleagues in the Livestock field, central agencies, and Dzongkhag administrations. Valuable feedback and suggestions provided during this consultation phase were duly incorporated into the Draft Bill. The Department is now preparing to submit the Livestock Bill 2023 to the Parliament for further deliberations and adoption.

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲: Dr. Narapati Dahal (Animal Health Specialist, Department of Livestock, MoAL)

𝟐𝟕 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑: The expert mission on African Swine Fever (ASF) from Emergency Management Centre (EMC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) were in the country to assess the current ASF situation. The EMC mission consisted of ASF experts in laboratory diagnosis, risk communication and extension education, epidemiology and farm biosecurity. Bhutan experienced series of ASF outbreaks since May 2021 mostly in the Southern Dzongkhags. Most of these outbreaks were traced to illegal import of pork and pork products, feeding of improperly cooked kitchen waste and poor farm biosecurity. ASF is not zoonotic and therefore, not a disease of public health concern, however, it can cause high mortality resulting in catastrophic socio-economic consequences for the pig farming sector implicating threat to food security. Spread of the disease into wild boar population may result in establishment of disease endemicity and threat to wild pigs and possible ecological imbalance.

The ASF experts accompanied by officials from Department of Livestock, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority and FAO country office visited the National Centre for Animal Health, Serbithang to assess the laboratory diagnostic capacity. The team also visited pig farms in Tsirang and Sarpang, Integrated Check Post, meat shops, Regional Vet Hospital and Epidemiology Centre (RVH & EC), Sarpang Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Tshethar Thsogpa, piggery cooperatives, National Piggery Farm in Gelephu to assess the field situation. Extensive discussions and interaction pursued throughout the visit.

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: Dr. Narapati Dahal (Animal Health Specialist, DoL)