The delegation of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (hereinafter Rosselkhoznadzor) headed by Nikolai Vlasov, the Deputy Head of Rosselhoznadzor was in the Republic of Armenia on January 26, 2016 with two-day visit.
The delegation met Armen Ayrapetyan, the Head of the State Service for Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Armenia and discussed the veterinary-sanitary situation in the Republic, particularly the steps for the prevention of acute infectious diseases, including FMD.
In this context the issue of the acquisition of the vaccine for the new type of FMD and the quick implementation of vaccinations for the prevention of the introduction of the virus spread in the neighboring countries was given a great importance. Negotiations in this issue are already completed, the contest is summed up, and the new vaccine will be acquired by the end of March. Nikolai Vlasov reconfirmed that the temporary ban is a necessary preventive measure which is applied in line with international standards, with the principles of the World Organization for Animal Health and the ban does not limit the exports of processed meat and dairy products to Russia.
During the meeting the directions of bilateral cooperation, issues of export and import were discussed as well. The parties outlined the areas for joint programs.
The representatives of Rosselhoznadzor also visited the “Food Safety Risk Analysis and Assessment Research Centre” SNCO. By the agreement of technical and financial assistance signed between the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia in the scopes of EEU partnership $ 5.8 million will be allocated to the reconstruction and re-equipping of this centre. The specialists of Rosselhoznadzor evaluated the technical capabilities of the centre in the result of which the further programs will be formed. The financial and technical assistance program will be completed at the end of 2017.