EcoLur
At present genetically modified seeds are not officially imported into Armenia. Under Deputy Agriculture Minister Garnik Petrosyan, “The import of seeds into our country is implemented in a strictly regulated manner: only registered seeds are imported into our country, which are permitted for use. The National Assembly is already discussing the draft law on biosafety of GMO use. The law prescribes to regulate all the processes connected with GMOs, import, use, processing and consumption. Under Garnik Petrosyan, the development, dissemination and conservation of local species should be focused on.”
The studies carried out by “Kanach Arahet” (Green Way) NGO also show that officially imported seeds are not GMOs. But “Kanach Arahet” NGO Chairman Nune Sarukhanyan didn’t exclude the possibility of importing GMOs seeds in an unofficial way, for example, if the seeds are exported not through Agriculture Ministry, but individuals. In her opinion, the import of hybrids and the extinction of local species ate particularly worrying. “Hybrids are the result of interbreeding two different plant species. In the recent 10 years the local breeds give way to foreign hybrids, which are mainly designed for the production of preserves and is inferior with taste qualities,” said Nune Sarukhanyan and noted that so preferable firm tomatoes can’t be considered as local. She also outlined that the NGO studies revealed another important issue, “Decrease in soil fertility causes decrease in the productivity of local breeds, which brings to farmers to refuse from local breeds.” Garnik Petrosyan added, “The local breeds haven’t disappeared, just the opposite, they are carry on to be developed. The selection seed center sold 115 kg of tomato seeds this year, which enables to grow up to 700 ha of seedlings.”
August 26, 2013 at 14:38