Meat from butchers has been confiscated: what does the butcher say, and what does the law state?
There has been a tense situation at the “Gum” market in Yerevan since early morning. Representatives of the State Service for Food Safety (SSFS) have arrived at the market to monitor the butchers’ activities. They have seized the butchers’ meat. And state that the sales are being conducted in violation of regulations.
Clashes occurred between the butchers and the police. 8 people were arrested from the market area. Red berets also arrivef at the scene. During the dispute between SSFS employees and the gathered citizens, one of the citizens poured gasoline on himself and attempted to self-immolate, but the police intervened and prevented the act.
One of the butchers, who is from Vedi, shared that there are no conditions in their town for conducting slaughter.
I had slaughtered a calf to sell today, and they came and took it. I have 4 minor children, and now they’ve taken it to burn. What should I tell the banks? Tomorrow, if they come and take me out of my house, what should I say?
One of the meat vendors mentioned that this is the first time they have seen such control being imposed. They are not opposed to slaughtering in slaughterhouses, but they point out that this is their livelihood.
The price of beef is 2000-2500 drams. A normal-quality cow weighs over 100 kg. This means they are taking and destroying 300, 400, or even 500 thousand drams. If a person has no means of livelihood, they are forced to commit a crime.
Since December 6, 2023, a law requiring mandatory slaughter in slaughterhouses has been in effect in Armenia, and according to this law, the sale of any animal-derived products from non-slaughterhouse sources is prohibited. Meat sold in markets without the proper certification must be confiscated and destroyed.
Anush Harutyunyan, Head of the Information, Consultation, and Public Relations Department of the State Service for Food Safety (SSFS), mentioned in April of this year that if SSFS representatives enter the sales network and see non-slaughterhouse meat, they will not allow its sale, and it will be confiscated.
As of January 2024, there are 101 slaughterhouses in Armenia, 2 of which are in the Shirak region. The SSFS is confident that the number of slaughterhouses is sufficient to meet the country’s entire demand.