Russia tightens requirements for flowers imported from Armenia and issues export permits to seven Armenian companies

YEREVAN, July 11./ARKA/. In recent weeks, Rosselkhoznadzor (the Russian agricultural watchdog) has tightened the requirements for imported cut flowers from Armenia, citing an increase in contaminated products.

Since the beginning of the year, deliveries of cut flowers from Armenia to Russia have doubled to over 70 million. At the same time, Rosselkhoznadzor Deputy Head Yulia Shvabauskene reported an increase in consignments contaminated with quarantine objects.

"The flowers are listed as Armenian in the documents, but given the unfavorable status, we requested confirmation of their origin from the competent Armenian authority. Unfortunately, we have not received a response to almost half of our requests to date,” Shvabauskene told the Russia 24 TV channel.

She emphasized that flower deliveries from Armenia to Russia are continuing. "Everything that the Armenian service confirms as safe and truly Armenian has been and continues to be delivered to Russia. This work will continue, and we are happy to accept Armenian products," said Shvabauskene.

On Friday, Armenia's food safety inspection authority reported that seven Armenian companies were allowed to export flowers to Russia following negotiations with Rosselkhoznadzor and joint inspection controls.

"Together with Rosselkhoznadzor, we carried out online video inspections of greenhouses where flowers are grown. Based on the results of the inspections, the issue of exporting products from a specific manufacturer to Russia will be decided,” said the Armenian regulator.

The inspection authority also reported that a group of Rosselkhoznadzor specialists will soon arrive in Armenia to visit flower farms and study the phytosanitary situation with their Armenian counterparts.-0-