“Borjomi” might become available to Russians again…

While the head of the Russian consumer rights oversight agency (Rospotrebnadzor) Gennady Onishchenko decides between his love for Georgian mineral water and the responsibilities of his position, the "Borjomi" spring in Georgia might come under new ownership. In a few days time, an auction will be announced for the sale of the licence concerned. The agreement with the "Georgian Glass and Mineral Water Company" has expired. Moreover, a change of owners may take place within the holding itself.

On 11 February, Gennady Onishchenko declared at a press conference, as RIA Novosti reported, that he would not object to supplies of "Borjomi" being made to Russia if the water meets his organization's sanitary standards. But, according to him, the manufacturers are not offering to provide him with a sample of their water for research to be carried out in order to authorize its sale. "As far as the water is concerned, I am still saying that I regret the loss of "Borjomi" and that if we "open up" Georgia, we will start with "Borjomi", especially considering my class hatred of spirits," Russia's chief sanitary doctor explained with a smile.

Georgian mineral water was banned in Russia, along with wines, in spring 2006. However, whereas heavy metals and pesticides were found in the alcoholic drinks, the complaints against "Borjomi" were based only there being insufficient protection against fake water that had flooded Russia.

Incidentally, as far as the wine is concerned, Onishchenko made an announcement about the letters and samples of produce received by Rospotrebnadzor from the specific manufacturers and the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture. "We have just prepared a reply to them saying that, in principle, this issue has not been closed and that we would be prepared to examine it again under certain conditions," he noted. The Georgian media have entirely mistranslated Onishchenko's statement. Giving the impression that he has actually already sent a letter to the Georgian winemakers. And, for example, "Business Georgia", having asked the republic's Ministry of Agriculture to confirm this, ran into bewilderment, which it reported: "The Georgian Ministry of Agriculture has no information about the Russian chief sanitary doctor having sent a letter to Georgian winemakers". Even though (see above) the head of Rospotrebnadzor was talking about letters that he had received.

Onishchenko's statement about "Borjomi" was viewed strangely and with emphatic mistrust by the same publication. "It's hard to believe that this (the return of the water to Russia) could happen, because not a single promise has been fulfilled by the Russian side in the last few years," comments "Business Georgia".

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