1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

welfare and management. The Minister pointed out that although the earlier Act
only had 9 chapters, the new version has 12.
The Wangdue Chimi referred to provision 16.4 on page 15 and said that the
system of slaughtering animals is not appropriate to the way of life in Bhutan.
The new Livestock Act being endorsed presently should include provision for
more humane ways of slaughter be it through injection or electrocution so
although the animals lose their lives, it is done without pain and suffering.
The Dratshang Representative, Venerable Dorji Lopen and many people’s
representatives expressed the view that as Bhutan is a Buddhist country, it does
not seem proper to have slaughtering of animals and it is important that ways
are found to check the slaughter of animals. Furthermore the Act must include
provisions prohibiting the sale of meat in the auspicious first and fourth months,
the auspicious 10 th day of the 5 th month, 4 th day of the 6 th month, Descending
Day of Lord Buddha in the 9 th month as well as in the auspicious 8 th , 15 th and
30 th days of the lunar calendar. If this is done, Bhutan could be rightfully called
a Buddhist country.
The Agriculture Minister expressed concurrence with the submission to the
Assembly by the representatives led by the Dorji Lopen, that slaughter of
animals does not seem appropriate and proper in a Buddhist country. While it is
not possible to completely avoid it, the Minister expressed the view that
slaughter of animals and the sale of meat in the auspicious first and fourth
months, the 4 th day of the 6 th month, Descending Day of Lord Buddha as well as
on the auspicious 8 th , 15 th and 30 th days of the lunar calendar should be
prohibited and suggested that this could be included in the subsequent By-laws
and Rules that would be prepared by the concerned department.
The Speaker expressed appreciation of the views expressed by the Dratshang
Representative and other members that slaughter of animals and the trade in
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