20 โ 22 December 2023: The National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH) under the Department of Livestock (DoL) successfully conducted a 3-day workshop in Punakha from 20th to 22nd December 2023 to review and update the National African Swine Fever (ASF) Prevention and Control Plan 2021. It was conducted with the overarching goal of enhancing coordination and response measures during ASF outbreaks in the country.
The workshop is one of the key activities to be implemented as part of the Emergency Technical Cooperation Programme (eTCP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the prevention and control of ASF in Bhutan.
The necessity for this workshop arises from the first reported outbreak of ASF in domestic pigs in Bhutan in April 2022, followed by a series of outbreaks between November 2022 and August 2023. These outbreaks have significantly impacted southern districts, resulting in substantial socio-economic repercussions for pig-rearing farmers and the nation’s economy. The government has allocated over Nu. 35.5 million in response efforts.
The review process incorporated insights and feedback from field professionals who responded to the series of outbreaks in the past year. Additionally, it considered the mission report of FAO experts who assessed the country’s capacity to respond to ASF outbreaks and provided important recommendations during their visit in May 2023.
The workshop witnessed active participation from 39 attendees, including officials from the DoL Headquarters, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, National Centre for Animal Health, Regional Livestock Development Centre, Regional Veterinary Hospital and Epidemiology Centres, Dzongkhag Livestock Sectors, and government piggery development centres. Chaired by the Director of the Department of Livestock, the workshop also seized the opportunity to review the National Lumpy Skin Disease Prevention and Control Plan, with experts representing all regions and dzongkhags.
Post-workshop, the plan documents will undergo refinement, compilation, and will be shared with relevant stakeholders for feedback. Subsequently, the final plan document will be endorsed for field implementation.
The workshop was financed through the fund approved for the FAO eTCP, โEmergency technical assistance to minimize risks and impacts of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Bhutanโ.
NCAH, Serbithang
