Workshop on ‘Challenges in implementation of Livestock Rules and Regulations’
Around 45 Livestock Regulatory and Quarantine officials from all the BAFRA field offices have attended a workshop on “Challenges in Implementation of Livestock Rules and Regulations” at Chuniding Resort, Serbithang, Thimphu from 27th – 29th April 2016. The main objective of the workshop was to discuss on challenges faced by BAFRA officials while implementing Livestock Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2008 and work out solutions to handle challenges. It was also to keep the officials abreast of the new developments in areas of animal biosecurity and veterinary public health regulatory measures taking place at national, regional and international levels.The Director General for BAFRA, Mr. NamgayWangchuk graced the opening session.
Responsibilities of Livestock Regulatory and Quarantine officials include implementation of animal biosecurity measures and inspection and certification of foods of animal origin. With the globalization of trade, people are moving animal species and animal products at unprecedented rates across countless borders which lead to transboundary movement of dangerous diseases. Such activities present increasing challenges to regulatory agencies like BAFRA to effectively protect health and life of animals. In addition, outbreaks of novel infectious diseases, emerging and re-emerging diseases including zoonotic diseases like Bird Flu, are on the rise worldwide.
In view of this, it is important for BAFRA officials to update their knowledge and skills and keep themselves abreast with new and evolving scientific understanding of diseases and trade requirements and proportionate evolvement in regulatory regime and requirements. This is also important in that the public are better educated now. BAFRA officials must be able to convince and justify scientifically for all regulatory measures that are being implemented by them.
Therefore, this workshop was organised to provide forum for all Livestock Regulatory and Quarantine officials in the field to exchange experiences, discuss practical problems faced while implementing animal biosecurity and veterinary public health measures and work out solution to these problems. The outcome of the workshop would be submitted to the Ministry for endorsement following which it will be implemented.