GOVERNMENT TIGHTENS FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS
By Shakeh Avoyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Aug 16 2007
The Armenian government on Thursday introduced changes in its previous
decision regarding the order of control over the quality of food and
meat products, which it says will bring food quality in Armenia closer
to European standards.
Grigor Baghian, Head of the State Food Safety and Veterinary Inspection
at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the measures approved by the
government will, in particular, ensure that only high quality food
products meeting European requirements are imported to Armenia and
exported from here to other countries.
"The order will allow us to provide our consumers only with quality
products in the future," Baghian told reporters after the government
meeting.
At the same time, Baghian admitted that the situation on the market
of organic food in Armenia still remains far from European standards.
In particular, he mentioned the butcher’s shops at one of Yerevan’s
biggest markets where a recent inspection revealed multiple violations
of the sanitary regime.
"Armenia now does not have large meat factories that used to operate
in the Soviet times. Cattle are usually slaughtered in domestic
conditions, which explains the current inadmissible situation on the
market," Baghian said.
Even so, Baghian said corresponding bodies are doing everything to
control the situation.
"Our controls of food products, especially those of organic origin,
are exercised in the village, on the roads, and on the market,"
Baghian said. "When we have big slaughter-houses, it will be easier
to exercise control there as all data pertaining to the product will
be immediately included in the package."
All products of organic origin must be examined by veterinarians
before appearing on the market and then tested by experts once they
reach the sales outlets.
Baghian said two cases of cattle disease have already been revealed
in Armenia during the month of August. In both cases, one of which
was anthrax, meat was not allowed to enter the market.
The ministry’s specialist dispelled all concerns about possible foot
and mouth disease cases in Armenia, saying that the situation is stable
and under control. At the same time, he did not exclude possible cases
of African swine fever in Armenia as its neighbor Georgia is known to
have been hit by an outbreak of this animal disease lately. However,
Baghian says, corresponding agencies are taking all measures to
contain the possible spread of this disease into Armenia.