Entrepreneur and animal welfare advocate Miyoko Schinner has spoken out about reports that Bhutan’s government is considering authorizing the country’s first slaughterhouse.
Schinner said she has recently worked with monks in Bhutan to introduce vegan dairy alternatives, aiming to support Buddhist values of compassion and non-violence.
Bhutan is often described as a country strongly influenced by Buddhist principles, and many people follow vegetarian diets.
The country currently does not have a domestic slaughterhouse. However, meat is still consumed in the country, most of it is imported from neighboring nations.
According to Schinner, building a slaughterhouse could change Bhutan’s long-standing image as a nation guided by compassion toward animals. She argues that such a move may increase meat production and consumption within the country.
Supporters of maintaining the current system say Bhutan has become known internationally for its emphasis on environmental protection and Gross National Happiness, a policy that measures development beyond economic growth.
Bhutanese officials have discussed building a slaughterhouse to reduce reliance on imported meat and strengthen domestic food production. No final decision has been announced.
Some policymakers view local slaughter facilities as a way to regulate meat production more directly and improve food security.
Petition launched
Schinner has launched an international petition asking the Bhutanese government to reconsider the proposal. She says the goal is to encourage alternatives, such as increasing plant-based food production.
Religious leaders in Bhutan traditionally avoid political activism, but Schinner says she hopes global support will help raise awareness of the issue.
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