Igor Abakumov: «If FMD falls from Armenia to Russia, it will blow up the whole of Europe»

On January 20, Rosselkhoznadzor imposed a ban on the import of a number of agricultural products from Armenia to Russia. The reason is the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Armenian territory. The epidemic of foot and mouth disease is extremely dangerous, as the disease can be carried by airborne droplets at a distance of 100 kilometers, — says Igor Abakumov, head of the organizing committee of the Association of Agricultural Journalists of Russia. “In Russia there is no foot and mouth disease for decades. Therefore, if the infected meat gets to us, it will be a blast for the whole of Europe,” told RUSARMINFO Igor Abakumov.

The expert believes that now Armenia should turn to Russia for FMD drugs that greatly reduce the time of the return of Armenian exports to the Russian market. “If Armenia appeals to Russian experts, it will be possible to localize the outbreak during a week. Russia has a good veterinary service and the best bacteriological protection in the world,” concluded the Russian expert. On November 25, 2015, Rosselkhoznadzor imposed restrictions on agricultural products from Armenia in connection with outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. However, the Armenian export of meat products to the Russian Federation was recovered in a short term.