Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 VETERINARY LEGISLATION DEVELOPMENT IN BHUTAN Tenzin Dhendup Director General DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Royal Government of Bhutan Bhutan OIE Global Conference on Veterinary Legislation Djerba, Tunisia (7 th to 9 th December 2010)

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Introduction BHUTAN 20 Dzongkhags205 Geogs Area= ~39,000 sq km 6 agro ecological zones Altitude = 200 to 7500 metres Population: ~7,00,000

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010

Governance 2008: Constitutional Democracy Guiding Development Philosophy: GNH – Socio-economic development – Preservation of culture, tradition, heritage – Environmental conservation – Good governance GNH accords higher priority than GDP

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Livestock Development Livestock farming -integral part of Bhutanese farming system 69% Agrarian of which 99% own livestock Changing subsistence to market oriented farming system Livestock farming contributes to 7% of GDP More infrastructure development in pipeline Opportunities for international collaboration

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Institutions & Roles Department of Livestock – Authority for Veterinary & Livestock Services Bhutan Agriculture & Food Regulatory Authority – Regulatory aspects & food safety (import/export/certifications/border control) Drug Regulatory Authority of Bhutan – encompasses veterinary drugs / biological under Bhutan Medicine Act

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Evaluation of VS using OIE PVS tools March Official request sent to OIE April Evaluation team proposed First quarter of June 2008 – Actual evaluation Team members: – Dr. Peter Fernandez (Team Leader) – Ms. Dagmar Heim Evaluation report widely circulated and discussed among colleagues

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 OIE PVS Findings: Strengths Good institutional set up from national to sub- district level Veterinary drug control system in place - DRA Availability of disease control programs & reporting System Good collaboration with relevant stakeholders/ organizations Good quarantine facilities for BAFRA Community Animal Health Workers available in remote areas

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 OIE PVS Findings: Weakness Shortage of veterinarians, Para-professionals, Absence of animal health policies, no veterinary statutory body, rudimentary VS legislation Non-existent quality control mechanisms (veterinary medicines, biologicals, residue testing programs) Poor linkages between animal health and veterinary control & public health

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Based on the evaluation report, PVS GAP analysis was requested 5 th – 13 th November 2009 – PVS GAP analysis Team members – Eric Fermet-Quinet (Team Leader) – Alexandre Bouchot – Peter Fernandez Gap Analysis report circulated to all stakeholders Initiatives following OIE PVS exercise

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Reform in Vet. Services: Institutions Ministry of Agriculture & Forests Department of Livestock Livestock Health Division NCAH NAH CVH RLDC SVL Dzongkhag DLO DVH LEC/RNREC Administrative control Technical control

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Laboratory Network NCAH RLDCs SVLs Existing DVLs

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Draft Animal Health Policy Draft Veterinary and Livestock Council Act Centralization of drugs, vaccine and equipment Training of Veterinarians in India Institutionalize – Regional Livestock Development Centers – District Veterinary Laboratory Initiatives following OIE PVS exercise

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Project based on OIE Gap Analysis – Human Resource Development. – Infrastructure and facilities Development – Disease Prevention and Control Program One health hub initiatives – Risk based strategies for the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging zoonoses and animal diseases with impact on food security Initiatives following OIE PVS exercise

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Veterinary Legislations Relevant Legislations in place – The Livestock Acts of Kingdom of Bhutan 2001 – The Bhutan Medicine Act 2003 – The Food Act of Kingdom of Bhutan 2005 – Livestock Rules and regulations 2008 – Bhutan Medicines Rules and Regulations 2005 – The Food Rules and Regulations 2006 Legislation needs to be harmonized to international standard PEACE IN COUNTRY Good Legislation + Good Governance + Good Institutions Effective Implementation PEACE IN COUNTRY Good Legislation + Good Governance + Good Institutions Effective Implementation

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 OIE support to Veterinary Legislation Jan 2008 – Official request to OIE OIE mission fielded in November 2008: Preliminary Visit – Dr. Martial Petitclerc – Dr. Eric Fermet Quinet Second mission fielded in April 2009: Report received dated July 29, 2009, indicating future support in legislation – Dr. Jean Louis Duby – Dr. Martial Petitclerc Draft MOU accepted by RGOB Task force formed in Bhutan Internal review and amendment of existing rules and regulations MOU to be signed between OIE and RGOB

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Way Forward – OIE/ Bhutan OIE PVS evaluation is helpful in prioritization and streamlining of veterinary services – Help to mobilize fund support from Government – OIE to assist in acquiring fund from international donor Legislation support – Modernize veterinary legislation – Strengthen VS to help meet the OIE standards – Country capable to deal new threats due to increased trade, climate change, and the emergence and re- emergence of diseases etc. OIE & Member States (Bhutan) sign MOU for better harmonization of Veterinary Legislation

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Acknowledgements OIE for fielding – Experts for PVS evaluation – Experts for OIE PVS evaluation – Experts to support veterinary legislation OIE/ JSTF Project to support advanced laboratory diagnosis OIE and Tunisian Government for hosting this global conference

Modernizing Veterinary Legislation for Good Governance: Djerba, Tunisia, 7-9 December 2010 Thank You !!!