Potato Cancer in Armenia: 'Hayastani Hanrapetutyun'

When addressing various issues related to food safety, we noted that this sector is not free from politics. Sometimes even to the extent that it is openly visible, both at international and intergovernmental levels and on lasting platforms.

Many will remember that in 2013, potatoes exported from Armenia to Georgia were sent back due to allegations of being infected with 'brown rot' bacterial disease. It later turned out that this type of potato disease had not existed in Armenia at that time.

At that time, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Garnik Petrosyan explained that 'brown rot' had not existed and does not exist in Armenia. 'Currently, only the potato cancer disease is present in the Chambarak region of Gegharkunik Province, which is not very widespread. And no seed is being collected from there,' he stated.

Potato cancer was mentioned again in Armenia in 2015 when it was discovered in the Aragats community of Aragatsotn Province. But thanks to specific measures, it was contained.

So, is this disease present in Armenia now? We tried to clarify this with the Food Safety Inspectorate. But first, we verified whether potatoes infected with this type of disease are dangerous to health. The response was as follows: according to specialists, potatoes infected with cancer are not dangerous to human life and health.

The full article can be read in today’s edition of the newspaper.