VIOLATIONS NOT REVEALED AT ONLY 62 OUT OF 1,001 ECONOMIC ENTITIES SUBJECTED TO CHECKS

NOYAN TAPAN
YEREVAN
JULY 27, 2009

In the period of January to May 7, 2009, the State Food Safety and
Veterinary Inspection of the RA Ministry of Agriculture consucted
checks of 1,001 economic entities in Yerevan and marzes (provinces)
of Armenia, including 673 checks in shops, 224 checks at public
catering enterprises (restaurants, cafes, etc.) and 104 checks at
various workshops. Head of the Legal and Information Unit of the
Inspection Susanna Minasian told NT correspondent that violations
were not revealed at only 62 out of the 1,001 economic entities. The
other 927 economic entities were subjected to administrative
responsibility. Fines of a total of 47 million drams were imposed.

She said that on May 7 the Inspection suspended checks based on
the Armenian government’s decision, under which the state bodies
authorized to conduct checks in 2009-2010 must suspend checks at
small and medium enterprises.

According to S. Minasian, since the indicated decision of the
government, checks have been conducted (by written permission of
the prime minister) at 3 economic entities – Mush, Byrakn and Viva
Karapetians LLCs where in particular foodstuffs of animal origin
which have not undergone a test were found, as well as technology
instructions, regimes and certificates were absent. S. Minasian
said that these economic entities were subjected to administrative
responsibility. Fines of 300 thousand drams were imposed on Mush and
Byrakn companies, while Viva Karapetians paid a fine of 200 thousand
drams (about 650 USD).