RA Economy Minister: supply issues of Armenian products to Russia are  solved in due course

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.