The primary mandates of Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) is to implement effective biosecurity measures to protect the agriculture farming system including animal health, and public health from risks of entry, establishment and spread of exotic and or notifiable pests and diseases. Thus, a major role is placed on the Plant and Animal Quarantine Offices at the point of entries which serve as a first line of defense to prevent the introduction of such pests and diseases into the country. To facilitate biosecurity invasion, BAFRA has established quarantine stations and facilities at six official entry points i.e Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Nanglam, Samdrup Jongkhar and Paro as authorized under Sections 8.3 and 36.5 of the Livestock Act of Bhutan 2001 and Section 5(h) of the Plant Quarantine Act of Bhutan 1993.

ENTRY BY AIR

1. Plant and Animal Quarantine Station, International Airport, Paro

Accommodation capacity:

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Sl. No. Species                                                Accommodation capacity (in nos.)

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1. Sheep/Goats                                                                     60                                                       
2. Pigs                                                                                    100
3. Pullets                                                                               500
4. Cattle/Horses                                                                   8         
5. Dogs/Cats                                                                          5                                                         
6. Laboratory animals                                                         200

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ENTRY BY ROAD

1. Plant and Animal Quarantine Station, Samtse

Accommodation capacity:

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Sl. No. Species                                                Accommodation capacity (in nos.)

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1. Sheep/Goats 60                                                       
2. Pigs                                                                                       100
3. Pullets                                                                                   300
4. Cattle/                                                                                   20
5. Horses                                                                                  10       
6. Dogs/Cats                                                                             5                                                         

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2. Plant and Animal Quarantine Station, Gelephu

Accommodation capacity:

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Sl. No. Species                                                Accommodation capacity (in nos.)

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1. Sheep/Goats                                                                        100                                                     
2. Pigs                                                                                        100
3. Pullets                                                                                    500
4. Cattle                                                                                      20
5. Horses                                                                                    10       
6. Dogs/Cats                                                                               5                                                         
7. Laboratory animals                                                                200

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3. Plant and Animal Quarantine Station, Phuentsholing

Accommodation capacity: Two conventional halls that can accommodate 40 large animals (cattle/horses).

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4. Plant and Animal Quarantine Station, Samdrup Jongkhar

Accommodation capacity: Two conventional halls that can accommodate 40 large animals (cattle/horses).

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5. Plant and Animal Quarantine Station, Nganglam

Accommodation capacity: Two conventional halls that can accommodate 40 large animals (cattle/horses).

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Quarantine Accommodation Fees for animals, poultry and other birds

 ANIMAL QUARANTINE PROCEDURES

1. Following approval of the import request, the importer has to contact the Officer Incharge of BAFRA at the declared entry point and book the quarantine station at least two weeks in advance before the date of arrival of the animals.

1. On arrival at the entry point, the importer must declare the imported animals to the BAFRA officials on duty along with necessary documents. When required documents are provided, on-board inspection will be carried out. 

1. Animals are then transported to the quarantine station and unloaded under the supervision of the BAFRA officials on duty and the animals are admitted into the quarantine station. The animals will be quarantined for a minimum period of 15 days.

1. While in quarantine station, BAFRA official will carry out zoo-sanitary investigation of the area of origin of animals in the source country for possible disease outbreak immediately after departure of the animals, carry out clinical examination of the animals and necessary treatment if required, collect necessary samples and send to referral laboratories for screening against notifiable and or exotic animal diseases. 

1. If the quarantined animals clear biosecurity screening procedures as per the Bhutan Health Code for Import of Animals, the animals will be allowed entry into the country after payment of admissible quarantine fees. If not, the animals will be re-exported or will be humanely destroyed.

 PLANT QUARANTINE PROCEDURES

1. On arrival of the plant/plant products at the point of entry, the importer must declare the consignment to the BAFRA officials on duty along with valid documents.

2. After verification of the valid documents, BAFRA official on duty shall carry out physical inspection to assess the identity and integrity of the consignment, for presence of and or signs and symptoms of quarantine and or regulated pest and disease.

3. The consignment shall be released if found free of quarantine and or regulated pest and disease.

4. If the consignment is suspected to be infested or infected with pests and disease, a representative sample will be drawn for examination and conducting post entry quarantine.

5. If quarantine or regulated pest and disease is detected, appropriate phytosanitary treatment measures will be undertaken at the cost of importer to minimize or eliminate the risk.

6. If the quarantine risks are not manageable or eliminated, the consignment may be re-exported to the country of origin or destroyed at the cost of the owner.