Livestock Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2008.

In exercise of the authority granted by Section 36.1 of the Livestock Act of Bhutan 2001, the Ministry of Agriculture formulates and adopts the Livestock Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2008 to facilitate the implementation of necessary provisions. The Livestock Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2008, consisting of 26 sections divided into XII Chapters and completed by 16 Annexes, is aimed to protect the environment, health and life of animals and humans from risks of entry, establishment and spread of exotic pests and diseases in the country. It is envisaged to strengthen the control and eradication of pests and diseases of animals already present in the country, ensure the quality and safety of animal health care services and animal genetic resources as well as facilitate conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources, protect and promote animal welfare, and ensure the quality and safety of foods of animal origin. The objectives of this Rules and Regulations are: to promote better and effective participation of farmers in the livestock development activities, namely, breed improvements; to ensure better and equal sharing of cost and benefits by the community members; to ensure future sustainability of the breeding bull procurement and distribution scheme; to increase the sense of ownership of the scheme thereby facilitating better and effective services.
The Regulations are divided as follows: Preliminary (Chap. I); Breeding, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer (Chap. II); Import of Animals, Semen and Embryo (Chap. III); Quarantine, Notifiable Diseases and Controlled Diseases (Chap. IV); Inspection and Certification; (Chap. V); Export of Animals, Genetic Materials and Animal Products (Chap. VI); Fresh Meat Hygiene and Inspection (Chap. VII); Veterinary Drugs (Chap. VIII); Zoonoses Management (Chap. IX); Welfare of Animals (Chap. X); Enforcement And Penalties (Chap. XI); Miscellaneous (Chap. XII). Annexes deal with: Standards for Pedigree and Breeding Parameters of Livestock meant for Breeding, Semen and Embryo Production; Standards of Laboratory for Collection and Processing of Semen; Standards of Construction and Operation of Designated Farm; Protocol for Importation of Dogs and Cats into Bhutan; Animal Quarantine Manual; Notifiable Diseases; Identification and Certification of Food Animals; Standards for Animal Feeds and Establishments Related to Production, Storage, and Marketing; Sampling Manual of the National Quality Control Laboratory; Code of Ante-Mortem and Postmortem Inspection for Large Animals and Small Animals; Minimum Standard for Meat Retailing and Transportation; Abattoir Category–A; Abattoir Category–B; Abattoir Category–C; Lists of Zoonotic Diseases; Welfare Standards for Transport of Animals.