Bhutan Food and Drug Authority

27/05/2025

Press Release on Seventh Regional Biosafety Workshop

Seventh Regional Biosafety Workshop Commences in Paro, Bhutan
– 27 May 2025

The Seventh Regional Biosafety Workshop, on the theme ‘Advancing Biosafety in Asia: Strengthening National Capacities and Catalyzing Regional Cooperation for Effective Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,’ commenced today in Paro, Bhutan.

The four-day workshop is a collaborative effort, organized by the Korea Institute for Promoting Asia Biosafety Cooperation (KIPABiC) and co-hosted by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health. Support for this regional event is provided by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MoTIE) of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Global Environment Facility (GEF) multi-country biosafety Project (10991).

Bringing together 27 participants comprising government representatives from thirteen countries across Asia, alongside regional biosafety experts and stakeholders, the workshop aims to strengthen technical expertise, enhance collaborative networks, and accelerate the effective implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) throughout the region. The primary objective is to encourage regional dialogue, facilitate the sharing of expertise, and formulate collaborative joint initiatives and sustainable action plans that promote regional ownership and long-term collaboration in biosafety.

The opening session featured addresses from key officials representing UNEP, KIPABiC, MoTIE and the BFDA.
Representing the host country, in the opening remarks, Ms. Gyem Bidha, the Director of the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority shared Bhutan’s journey in biosafety, from the ratification of the Cartagena Protocol in 2002 to the implementation of a precautionary GMO policy under the 2015 Biosafety Act. She highlighted Bhutan’s dedication to science-based regulation and shared an update on the recent revision of national guidelines for GM food and feed risk assessment.

In his opening address, Dr. Homin Jang, the Director of KIPABIC emphasized the critical balance between leveraging the benefits of biotechnology and ensuring its safety, urging a renewed commitment to regional cooperation in the face of global challenges and complexities. Dr. Chung Won Park, Chairman of KIPABIC reiterated the institute’s commitment to facilitating partnerships and pledged to further support active collaboration with national, regional and global partners.

Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Head, UNEP Country Office, India shared that Cartagena Protocol is key to safely managing modern biotechnology, protecting both biodiversity and human health. Highlighting Asia’s ecological and technological diversity, Dr. Balakrishna emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and adapting regulatory systems to emerging technologies. He expressed UNEP’s appreciation for participating countries and called for continued cooperation to ensure a safe, innovative, and biodiverse future.

The workshop is made possible through the generous funding from MoTIE, the support of the UNEP-GEF Project, and the dedicated collaboration of all regional and international partners. The rich biodiversity and strong environmental ethos of Bhutan provide a significant and fitting backdrop for this timely and collaborative regional endeavor.

Bhutan Food and Drug Authority

14/05/2025

Bhutan Launches Landmark SPS Trade Facilitation Project with Support from WTO’s STDF

Thimphu, Bhutan - (14 May 2025) - A new project initiative to Modernize border management for safer Agri-food Trade, was officially launched today by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority and the International Trade Center, WTO. The project aims at strengthening Bhutan’s capacity to manage cross-border trade in agricultural and food products. This project is funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and jointly implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, Ministry of Health.

This effort marks a pivotal milestone for Bhutan in addressing key Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) challenges impacting trade. The project originated in late 2019, when Bhutan secured a project preparation grant of approximately USD 38,000 from the STDF to design the initiative in response to agri-food trade challenges faced in the country, with the goal of building a safer, more efficient, and more reliable Agri-food trade system for Bhutan.

With a total value exceeding USD 1 million—including a three-year project budget of USD 986,888 and an additional in-kind contribution of USD 286,984 from the Royal Government of Bhutan—the project aims to deliver four major outcomes:

1. Enhanced National Border and Risk Management Frameworks
Strengthening risk-based controls for selected border regulatory agencies (BRAs) to ensure SPS compliance and enable safe trade in food and agricultural products.

2. Implementation of the IPPC ePhyto Digital Solution
Introducing electronic phytosanitary certification in Bhutan to facilitate seamless ePhyto exchanges with regional trading partners.

3. Strengthened Coordination and Dialogue Mechanisms
Establishing or reinforcing national, bilateral, and regional platforms for SPS and trade facilitation dialogue.

4. Upgraded Quality Management and SPS Capacities
Aligning national quality management frameworks with international SPS standards to improve overall trade readiness.

The project integrates cross-cutting themes of gender-responsive trade facilitation and environmental sustainability into its design and implementation. This project initiative is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening Bhutan’s agricultural trade ecosystem and fostering sustainable economic growth. A key milestone of the initiative is the launch of e-Phyto solutions, which are expected to revolutionize the way thousands of Bhutanese food and agricultural exporters and importers conduct business. The launch event concluded with a resounding call for continued stakeholder collaboration and engagement to realize the project’s objectives.

Bhutan Food and Drug Authority

01/04/2025

Notification_Auction of Piglets

26/09/2024

BFDA/FD/MoH/1-72/ 238
September 24, 2024

PRESS RELEASE: Bilateral Discussion on Implementation of the Agreement signed for recognition of official control exercised by Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

On September 20, 2024, the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health (MoH), Royal Government of Bhutan, attended a bilateral meeting with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, on the sidelines of the Global Food Regulators Summit. The meeting, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, focused on implementation protocol of the “Agreement” signed between FSSAI and BFDA on 21 March 2024.

This Agreement marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between Bhutan and India in food and agricultural products trade. The Agreement aims to recognize the Official control exercised by BFDA over food business operators (FBOs) by the FSSAI. The Agreement further seeks to enhance technical
cooperation between FSSAI and BFDA, establishing a functional mechanism to facilitate and develop trade between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director and Director of the Imports, FSSAI, Ms. Gyem Bidha Director, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), and senior officials from Food Quality and Safety Division, BFDA. Ms. Tashi Peldon, Dy. Chief of Mission, Royal Bhutanese Embassy, New Delhi, and senior officials from Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India were also present for the Meeting.

The meeting focused on Implementation of the Agreement and steps taken by both FSSAI and BFDA in this regard. To further enhance this collaboration, various capacity building and technical collaboration for the BFDA Officials were discussed. The Director, BFDA highlighted the importance of the Agreement in facilitating Safe Food Trade between the two countries and also acknowledged the leadership in food safety by the FSSAI, GoI. This bilateral meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation challenges while exporting to India and on the areas of technical cooperation and capacity building to effectively implement the Agreement at the grassroot. The Director thanked the Food Safety and Standard Authority for the invitation extended to BFDA for the Global Food Regulators Summit.

Director
Bhutan Food and Drug Authority
Ministry of Health

23/09/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/mWd7WcVVF8uKnm5r/?mibextid=WC7FNe

07/06/2024

Happy World Food Safety Day to everyone! Food safety is crucial, and each one of us has an essential role in ensuring a safe food.

31/05/2024

Auctioning of Dog in Gelephu

31/05/2024

15/05/2024