YEREVAN. – Monsanto company assures that it does not import genetically modified organism (GMO) seeds, and such seeds were not found at customs offices.

The Minister of Agriculture of Armenia, Ignati Arakelyan, stated the aforesaid at a press conference on Tuesday. He noted this responding to the Armenian News-NEWS.am’s query as to whether his ministry had checked the accuracy of the information that the abovementioned American company was importing GMO seeds, and whether there is a danger that GMO-containing food could be imported into Armenia.

“Unless there is a relevant legislation [in Armenia], there can always be a risk that they could be imported,” said the agriculture minister. “For that reason, we have set up a special working committee, which includes representatives from the relevant agencies, [and] NGOs.

“We will present a list of relevant measures and what legislative initiatives are needed.”

As reported earlier, Rafik Mansour, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy in Yerevan, recently noted that Monsanto company, which produces GMO seeds, will be entering the market of Armenia.

Subsequently, however, concerns were raised that this may be risky for the country’s population. Even famous American Armenian musician Serj Tankian had urged people to stay away from the products of Monsanto company.

And in response to Armenian News-NEWS.am’s inquiry about this matter, the US Embassy had stated that it is ultimately up to Armenia’s farmers and agribusinesses to whether to use the products and services of this company.