Armenia finds no violations in Jermuk tests

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's Food Safety Inspection Body has found no violations in domestic monitoring and laboratory testing of Jermuk mineral water, agency head Tigran Petrosyan said while responding to Russia's claims of regulatory non-compliance involving the product.

"We conducted monitoring of Jermuk within the country, carried out laboratory examinations, and found no violations. The relevant report has already been sent," Petrosyan said at a news conference, according to Panorama.am .

He added that samples were also collected from fish producers and aquaculture facilities for laboratory testing. According to Petrosyan, no diseases were detected at the inspected operations.

Commenting on agricultural products, Petrosyan said Armenia's tomatoes are treated through a vaccination process and that laboratory testing confirmed the presence of antibodies rather than the quarantine pest highlighted by the Russian side.

"The laboratory results showed antibodies. In other words, what was detected was not the virus itself but the antibody," he said.

Addressing strawberries and other agricultural products, Petrosyan said thrips, a small insect pest, had been detected. He noted that Russian inspectors had also conducted inspections in Armenia and that the pest was found at only one of six or seven farms examined.

"Thrips is a living insect. It may be present today and disappear tomorrow after pesticide treatment," Petrosyan said.

Russia has imposed restrictions on imports of several Armenian products, including Jermuk mineral water, flowers and certain alcoholic beverages. Restrictions also apply to a number of agricultural products, including tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries. Since June 2, Russia has additionally limited the import and transit to other Eurasian Economic Union countries of Armenian cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, grapes and other stone fruits. Since June 3, it has also restricted imports of Armenian eggplants, potatoes and dried fruits.