16 Jun 2020
Animal Identification and Registration program was approved
I am pleased to mention, that due to the joint efforts of Armenian and Austrian specialists, with a first-year budget of 750 million, Animal Identification and Registration program was developed and approved, at the June 11 session of Government, which will start in the fall of this year.
I would like to greet the Ministry of Economy and highlight that this question has been discussed for 30 years and finally, the revolutionary Government initiated, developed, and approved the Animal Identification and Registration program.
This is a very important process, a reform that along with the operation of slaughterhouses will lay the foundation for the creation of a modern security system for milk and meat production in Armenia.
Finally, the people responsible for the agricultural sector, coming out from notorious schemes of sharing seeds, fertilizer, and diesel fuel, have initiated radical reforms, that have remained unresolved for decades, since the privatization of the agrarian sector.
Finally, there will a transition from slaughtering on the ground of the streets or yards leftover from Mongol-Tatarian times and production of cheese and yogurt in barns to implementation of new, modern, under EU standards and food quality control systems.
We hope, that the transition from Mongol-Tatarian, Emir-Khanate behavior, and the governance mechanism to new systems will be continuous and will be completed in tight deadlines so that the way back will be closed. The implementation of the Animal Identification and Registration system will contribute to the development and implementation of a new and comprehensive program to control acute infectious diseases.
Acute infectious diseases in animals cause severe financial problems.
Because of the absence of such a modern system;
1. Animal lactation is decreased
2. There is a decrease in the number of calves and lambs, because of abortion or stillbirth
3. Infertility increases
4. Farmers’ incomes are decreasing
Acute infectious diseases cause great harm to people also, as because of the chronic and destructive effects, peoples’ ability to work decreases, and the latter can become causes of death of people as well.
The fact of “Animal Identification and Registration in RA” program approval is invaluable. We are sure that the comprehensive implementation of the Animal Identification and Registration program in Armenia will contribute to the automation of the agricultural sector, the development of management skills, which will be a reliable prerequisite for the development of this sector and the export of products.
Large-scale public events to raise awareness, organize training courses, and improve skills and abilities will contribute to the productive implementation of the project.
G.S.