April 12, 2007

U.S. Department of Agriculture and CARD Provide Computer Equipment to Armavir City Veterinary Inspection and Laboratory Office

On April 12^th, the U.S. Embassy´s Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with NGO CARD, held a demonstration of a new computer, printer, and "AUGIUS" software package with internet connection in Armavir Marz, Armavir City Veterinary Inspection and Laboratory Office. The computer packages are part of USDA´s long term National Animal Health Project (NAHP) in close collaboration with the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture. Each of the ten Marz veterinary offices will receive a computer/software package with internet. Two computers have already been placed in the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Yerevan.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Anthony F. Godfrey, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Levon Rukhkyan and Chief Veterinary Officer and Food Safety Head Grisha Baghyan attended the demonstration. During the event, Chargé d'Affaires Affairs Anthony F. Godfrey noted that these computers will improve the collection of animal disease data and the transfer of this data to the central veterinary lab via the internet. He said that the collection and distribution of this vital information is an important step in the containment of endemic animal diseases in Armenia.

Employees of the Armavir City Veterinary Inspection and Labratory clinic demonstrate data collection with their new computer, printer, and software package.