Authorities Prepare to Confiscate Goods from Street Vendors

The Armenian government is preparing to confiscate food products sold illegally on the streets and in unspecified locations.

Vahe Terteryan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, presented a legislative package on amendments and additions to the Code of Administrative Offenses to the parliament.

According to him, the existing fines for illegal trading of agricultural products, especially in Yerevan, are not effectively deterring offenders. He stated, 'The administrative tools provided to local self-government bodies are not sufficiently effective. We propose to include new additional measures along with this, including the confiscation of products. Otherwise, fighting this vicious phenomenon just with fines is not effective.'

Terteryan emphasized that the issue is sensitive and directly related to the key provision of sanitary safety. On the other hand, the problem not only concerns ensuring public health but also addresses unfair competition, as illegal activities in this sector coincide with illegally registered entities.

Another aspect is that illegal street trading often disrupts the use of infrastructure, such as pedestrian walkways and area sanitation.

Terteryan revealed that from 2019 to 2021, over 3,500 records were drawn up in Yerevan alone for administrative offenses related to street trading. While fines were imposed, only one-third of the collected amount was paid.

Currently, fines for similar violations range from 70,000 to 100,000 drams. It should be noted that previously, the Yerevan City Hall had also made similar decisions regarding the sale of food, toys, and animals on the streets.