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Armenian PM Denies Links With Buffalo Meat Importers

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  • Armenian PM Denies Links With Buffalo Meat Importers

    ARMENIAN PM DENIES LINKS WITH BUFFALO MEAT IMPORTERS

    /ARKA/
    September 27, 2012
    YEREVAN

    YEREVAN, September 27. / ARKA /. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
    Sarkisian denied today any connection with imports of Indian buffalo
    meat and called on political parties to stop linking his name to
    this business.

    "Well-known political forces are trying to discredit me, linking
    my name to the import of buffalo meat from India. I do not have any
    connection with buffalo meat importing companies. I have no friends
    in them, neither relatives nor other people connected with me,
    " the prime minister said at a Cabinet session.

    The prime minister asked Abram Bakhchagulian, head of Food Safety
    Service, to pr vide information about the companies importing buffalo
    meat. According to Bakhchagulian, in 2011 six companies brought in
    10,300 tons of buffalo meat. The largest importer was Alex Group
    accounting for over 61 percent.

    In the first nine months of this year 5000 tons were imported. The
    largest importer was Parkev Company accounting for 34.23%.

    Bakhchagulian said meat imports are handled by companies with at
    least 10 year experience in running meat factories. Bakhchagulian
    said no violations were detected over the last two years.

    In 2010 the government of Armenia approved a special procedure for
    import of buffalo meat from India. A year earlier a working group was
    set up by the prime minister to address the issue and several Armenian
    delegations visited meat factories in India to be dissatisfied with
    their sanitary conditions. The delegations came to the conclusion
    that Armenia should purchase meat only from five Indian companies.

    In order to ensure full control over this process, the government has
    appointed a specialist to work in India in collaboration with these
    companies and give permissions to Armenian companies to buy meat.

    Buffalo meat from India is used in Armenia for production of sausages.

    In line with the government decision, only those Indian companies which
    have at least ten years experience, have their own slaughterhouse,
    processing plants and freezing facilities meeting world standards
    can export meat to Armenia.

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