OMBDSMAN ADDRESSES HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

TERT.AM
12:20 ~U 14.03.13

The Armenian Ombudsman’s office has issued a report focusing on the
human rights situation at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The findings, addressing the both positive developments and the
shortcomings, are provided below:

Shortcomings

– Though the agriculture sector was offered loans at affordable
interest rates in 2012, it failed to retain them, imposing extra-burden
on villagers;

– The Ministry failed to ensure proper food security inspection;

– No legal requirements were proposed for using slaughterhouse
as a place for killing agricultural animals;

– The timeframes of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s
(FAO) slaughterhouse development project were violated;

– The absence of an agricultural insurance institution remains
a key problem in the sector

Positive developments

– The year 2012 saw planned inspections, particularly in the bakery
market, which helped reveal and impose sanctions on the businesses
violating norms;

– The 2010-2020 Sustainable Development Strategy envisages the
implementation of a project aimed to introduce an insurance system
in the agriculture sector;

– With the assistance of the UN Food and Agriculture
Organizations, agreements were signed with five organizations for
opening slaughterhouses in different regions of Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian