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Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan visited production spaces of Aroghch Sunk (Healthy Mushroom) Company in Kotayk province, the press office of the government said.

The prime minister was accompanied by Minister of Nature Protection Aramais Grigoryan, Health Minister Armen Muradyan, Governor of Kotayk province Karapet Guloyan, and members of the Environmental Protection Inspectorate of Ministry of Nature Protection.

PM familiarized himself with the mushroom production process and then with the problem of air pollution caused by the raw product unit of the company. He also spoke to residents of the settlement located nearby and heard their arguments.

Management of the company presented the implemented programs and their plans aimed at dealing with the problem in the near future. It was noted that a few days ago a new technology was introduced in the unit of raw products, thanks to which the air pollution problem was solved to some extent.

During a talk with reporters, H. Abrahamyan said he visited the production spaces so the existing problem could be solved. “If new filters are installed in the unit and unpleasant smell disappears, then the company can continue operating as it employs dozens of citizens. Environmental protection norms have to be maintained. It is the first task. At the same time we should do everything possible to develop mushroom production, which is important for economic activity and exports. If filter installation fails to remove the bad smell, then we will have no option but to close the production. We value health of our citizens above other issues,” Hovik Abrahamyan said noting that the government will discuss the problem to take a relevant decision. “Our decision is going to be well-founded and fair,” he said.

For his part, Nature Protection Minister Aramais Grigoryan expressed confidence that all problems will be dealt with within a short time and the unpleasant smell will disappear. In his words, the company already made investment and within a few months the production technology will be fully replaced and the situation will improve.