𝐄𝐂𝐂𝐂 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

…𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔

By Leki Chungdon

Members of the Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) met with local leaders and stakeholders in Pemagatshel last week to gather feedback on the proposed Livestock Bill of Bhutan 2025. The consultation was held in preparation for the Third Reading of the Bill during the forthcoming Fourth Session of the Fourth Parliament. Yeshey Jamtsho, Member from Nanong Shumar constituency, and Lamdra Wangdi, Member from Nganglam constituency, led the meeting. The session brought together 35 participants, including Gewog Gups and Mangmis, Gewog Administrative Officers, Dzongkhag Livestock Officers, officials from the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, and local shopkeepers and meat dealers.

During the consultation, participants raised issues linked to livestock management, market regulation, animal health, and environmental sustainability. Local representatives expressed concerns about implementation challenges at the grassroots level and stressed the importance of retaining provisions that support small-scale livestock farmers. Lamdra Wangdi highlighted two prominent issues raised during the consultation. He said, “Market-rate compensation for the culling of healthy livestock during nationwide disease outbreaks, and the establishment of abattoirs in the country were key concerns. Local authorities and meat dealers supported incorporating these provisions in the upcoming Third Reading of the Bill, viewing them as critical to strengthening Bhutan’s economy.”

He added, “One particular recommendation that stood out, and even surprised me, was the call to make Bhutan a vegetarian country or a meatless society. However, the majority of participants agreed that the establishment of abattoirs would not only benefit rural livelihoods but also serve as an important step for the country’s broader economic development.” Lamdra Wangdi noted that while the committee expects the Bill to support rural farmers, sensitive decisions such as establishing abattoirs should ultimately lie with parliamentarians. He observed that collecting comprehensive public opinions in time for the winter session would be difficult and may not fully capture views across the country.

Officials from the livestock sector recommended clearly defining regulatory mandates to avoid overlaps among agencies. Shopkeepers and meat vendors requested clarity on licensing requirements and the supply of safe products in local markets. Thinley Rabten, Chief Dzongkhag Livestock Officer, highlighted challenges in the livestock sector that the Bill must address. He said, “One of the foremost concerns is ensuring animal welfare and regulating it effectively in the field. At present, awareness of animal rights remains limited, and the necessary measures have not yet been fully implemented at the ground level.”

He added, “Institutionalizing Tshather Tshogpa in practical terms requires rigorous management practices, strong technical competence, and substantial financial and human resources. Without these, its role in supporting farmers and strengthening livestock governance will remain difficult to realise.” Rabten also noted coordination challenges. “While the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock oversees a wide range of activities including plants, animals, and feed production, agencies mandated to monitor and carry out regulatory inspections, such as the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, fall outside MoAL’s jurisdiction. This creates issues of collaboration in the field, which must be addressed if the Bill is to be implemented effectively.”

The committee members assured participants that their feedback would be considered. Dhan Bdr Rai, a local shopkeeper in Pemagatshel, said the Livestock Bill is expected to have a significant impact on shopkeepers and small businesses. “Legislation has the power to shape the local economic environment by regulating commerce, contracts, property rights, and financial markets, ensuring fair competition and consumer protection. Such measures could help create a more stable and predictable framework that fosters economic growth, investment, and entrepreneurship.”
He noted that the Bill could affect local businesses in several ways. “One challenge may be compliance costs, as small businesses will need to invest time and resources to meet new regulatory requirements. At the same time, the Bill could create fresh opportunities for those who adapt quickly to the changing environment. The introduction of stronger regulatory measures may increase transparency and accountability, which in turn can help build trust between businesses, consumers, and the government.”

Rai also emphasised the importance of engaging young people in the livestock sector, suggesting training and education programs to build skills, financial incentives including subsidies, grants, or loans, and mentorship opportunities connecting young entrepreneurs with experienced farmers. He highlighted the need for investments in livestock infrastructure such as animal health services, markets, and transportation facilities to make the sector more sustainable. Regarding the upcoming Third Reading of the Bill, Rai said, “At this stage, lawmakers are expected to refine the Bill to ensure it is both practical and effective, while addressing concerns raised by stakeholders, including local businesses and young people. The final version should clarify any ambiguities, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and provide targeted support to groups that may be affected by the new regulations.”

The Livestock Bill 2025 is a key legislative item for the upcoming parliamentary session and is expected to guide the promotion, regulation, and sustainable use of livestock resources. Sonam Dendup, Gup of Shumar Gewog, said Pemagatshel Dzongkhag was chosen for the consultation because it is one of the country’s principal livestock-dependent districts. “By convening the preparatory session here, legislators are able to gather regional perspectives, engage directly with local farmers and sector officials, and ensure that the proposed legislation reflects practical realities and challenges faced on the ground,” he said. Similar meetings are planned for other regions.

Dendup suggested that certain aspects of the Bill, particularly those related to meat supply and animal welfare, be reconsidered. “Many people tend to stock up on meat in advance of the auspicious month, leading to animals being slaughtered beforehand. It may be awkward to directly call for the establishment of slaughterhouses, but the country should consider ensuring a steady and hygienic supply of meat products for the health and well-being of consumers,” he said.

Tenpa, Mangmi of Nanong Gewog, stressed the importance of proper implementation once the Bill is enacted. “Gewog administrations should maintain detailed records of the Bill’s provisions and decisions to ensure effective enforcement at the grassroots level. Financial and technical support from the government will be essential to strengthen the Bill’s impact and advance the livestock sector in rural areas. This Bill has the potential to greatly benefit livestock farmers in gewogs like Pemagatshel by creating better and more reliable markets for their produce.”

He highlighted challenges in dairy production, particularly maintaining systematic records of input and output. He expressed hope that the Livestock Bill will provide mechanisms to address such gaps, improving productivity, market access, and the livelihoods of rural farmers.
The consultation concluded with participants expressing appreciation for the opportunity to be involved and encouraging the committee to continue engaging local stakeholders in future policy discussions.