ArmInfo. The Minister of Economy of Armenia stated at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on September 2 that issues with the supply of Armenian products to the Russian Federation are addressed in the working order.
Earlier it became known that the dangerous pesticide tebuconazole was detected in strawberries that were delivered from Armenia to Russia. The contaminated batch of berries was intended for sale in Moscow, the Moscow region and the Tula region. Prior to this, TASS reported, citing research conducted by the international association "Anticorafact" and the Union of Cognac, Spirits and Alcoholic Beverages Producers, that nearly 90% of Armenian cognacs sold in Russian stores were deemed unsafe.For the study, 200 samples of cognac from over 20 brands produced by ten of the largest Armenian producers were purchased.
According to the minister, the Armenian side is in constant contact with its Russian colleagues regarding matters such as "strawberries, cognac spirit and other similar issues." "A day ago, I had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Agriculture and the head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control of the Russian Federation. During the conversation, all the problems were discussed and solutions were put in place. Yes, there was a car with problematic strawberries. But I was told that our new laboratory at the Bagratashen checkpoint had prevented a truck with peaches from passing the day before. If the Armenian laboratory had not been functioning, then this truck would have been turned away either at the Russian border or at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint," he said.
Regarding the cognac spirit, the minister stated that, to date, aside from the media coverage on this issue, there have been no other signals. He once again emphasized that the quality of cognac spirits holds a very important place on the Ministry of Economy's agenda. "Cognac and cognac spirits need to be exported from Armenia. This is a top priority for me. I will do everything to ensure that all alcohol produced in Armenia is made from absolutely raw grapes. This is crucial for the reputation of Armenia and Armenian cognac," Papoyan stated. At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Economy does not rule out that cognac spirits from other countries were poured into bottles under the guise of Armenian brands.
