Tweet
CONSUMER CONCERNS: REMOVAL OF BAN ON IMPORT OF AZERI AND TURKISH FOODSTUFFS STIRS DEBATE IN ARMENIA
http://armenianow.com/economy/48712/armenia_goods_import_turkey_azerbaijan
| 25.09.13 | 11:59
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
The decision by Armenia to lift the ban on the import of foodstuffs
from two neighboring states with which it is in a state of conflict
has been seen by many as an instance of treachery that will again
hit the interests of local producers and consumers.
On June 7, 2013, Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan canceled the
September 15, 2009 decision that prohibited the import of vegetable and
animal products and raw materials of Azerbaijani and Turkish origin.
Last week the Ministry of Agriculture published on its official website
a clarification in which it said that after the prohibition order
came into force the mentioned products and raw materials continued
to be imported through various ways including document forgery and
other machinations.
"Armenia and Turkey are members of the World Trade Organization,
and members of this organization cannon apply any trade restrictions
in relation to another country. So, such restrictions cannot be
established by order of a minister, as under the Armenian Constitution,
restrictions of people's rights and freedoms, their obligations can
be set exclusively by laws," the clarification says, adding that the
Ministry's food safety service has the sufficient potential to check
the safety of imported food products.
Aware & Protected Consumer NGO head Babken Pipoyan says that although
there are necessary laboratories in Armenia, the problem is that the
imported goods are not subjected to examination.
"Sometimes it reaches a level when certain officials dare to say
that there are no laboratories for certain tests, for example,
for benzopyrene. In reality, however, thus they avoid additional
costs. If the border is opened and corresponding tests are conducted
no one will complain," says Pipoyan.
He also says that several years ago he raised an alarm over the import
from Georgia of Turkish tomatoes and cucumbers so that a specific
order of importing goods from Georgia be established.
"Georgia will never provide a guarantee for Turkish goods, it will not
indicate that it was manufactured in Georgia. An item shall be subject
to examination at the border, then enter Armenia. If we conduct a
small survey among our citizens, we shall see that they would prefer
local production. Will there be proper labeling so that people can
distinguish the imported goods from local production?" says Pipoyan,
adding that in the last few months such products as lemon, gum,
grains of corn, yeast have been imported to Armenia from Turkey, but
only the chewing gum was subjected to laboratory tests and violations
were found. According to Pipoyan, no Azerbaijani products have been
imported since June 7 yet.
While Armenia has no diplomatic ties with either Azerbaijan or Turkey,
it is no secret that Turkish products have a significant share of the
local market of nonfoods. Turkish goods are in great demand because
they are not expensive and can beat Chinese products by quality.
Azerbaijani goods are not particularly welcome on the Armenian market.
For example, garlic with Azeri labeling that was found in Armenian
shops in 2011 stirred a debate in the country and was quickly taken
out of sale, as was Azeri tea earlier.
But some people in Armenia believe that importing goods from historical
foe Turkey and Azerbaijan, with which there is still a conflict over
Karabakh, should not be allowed at all.
Karabakh war veteran Hakob Dashyan believes it is at least an act of
betrayal against the Armenian people.
And filmmaker Arshak Zakaryan says that the import of Turkish goods
should be banned as long as the border with Turkey remains closed,
while Azeri goods can be brought only after the end of the war.
From: Baghdasarian
http://armenianow.com/economy/48712/armenia_goods_import_turkey_azerbaijan
| 25.09.13 | 11:59
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
The decision by Armenia to lift the ban on the import of foodstuffs
from two neighboring states with which it is in a state of conflict
has been seen by many as an instance of treachery that will again
hit the interests of local producers and consumers.
On June 7, 2013, Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan canceled the
September 15, 2009 decision that prohibited the import of vegetable and
animal products and raw materials of Azerbaijani and Turkish origin.
Last week the Ministry of Agriculture published on its official website
a clarification in which it said that after the prohibition order
came into force the mentioned products and raw materials continued
to be imported through various ways including document forgery and
other machinations.
"Armenia and Turkey are members of the World Trade Organization,
and members of this organization cannon apply any trade restrictions
in relation to another country. So, such restrictions cannot be
established by order of a minister, as under the Armenian Constitution,
restrictions of people's rights and freedoms, their obligations can
be set exclusively by laws," the clarification says, adding that the
Ministry's food safety service has the sufficient potential to check
the safety of imported food products.
Aware & Protected Consumer NGO head Babken Pipoyan says that although
there are necessary laboratories in Armenia, the problem is that the
imported goods are not subjected to examination.
"Sometimes it reaches a level when certain officials dare to say
that there are no laboratories for certain tests, for example,
for benzopyrene. In reality, however, thus they avoid additional
costs. If the border is opened and corresponding tests are conducted
no one will complain," says Pipoyan.
He also says that several years ago he raised an alarm over the import
from Georgia of Turkish tomatoes and cucumbers so that a specific
order of importing goods from Georgia be established.
"Georgia will never provide a guarantee for Turkish goods, it will not
indicate that it was manufactured in Georgia. An item shall be subject
to examination at the border, then enter Armenia. If we conduct a
small survey among our citizens, we shall see that they would prefer
local production. Will there be proper labeling so that people can
distinguish the imported goods from local production?" says Pipoyan,
adding that in the last few months such products as lemon, gum,
grains of corn, yeast have been imported to Armenia from Turkey, but
only the chewing gum was subjected to laboratory tests and violations
were found. According to Pipoyan, no Azerbaijani products have been
imported since June 7 yet.
While Armenia has no diplomatic ties with either Azerbaijan or Turkey,
it is no secret that Turkish products have a significant share of the
local market of nonfoods. Turkish goods are in great demand because
they are not expensive and can beat Chinese products by quality.
Azerbaijani goods are not particularly welcome on the Armenian market.
For example, garlic with Azeri labeling that was found in Armenian
shops in 2011 stirred a debate in the country and was quickly taken
out of sale, as was Azeri tea earlier.
But some people in Armenia believe that importing goods from historical
foe Turkey and Azerbaijan, with which there is still a conflict over
Karabakh, should not be allowed at all.
Karabakh war veteran Hakob Dashyan believes it is at least an act of
betrayal against the Armenian people.
And filmmaker Arshak Zakaryan says that the import of Turkish goods
should be banned as long as the border with Turkey remains closed,
while Azeri goods can be brought only after the end of the war.
From: Baghdasarian