European Union excludes Brazil from list of meat exporters due to antibiotic rules
União Europeia removed Brasil from the list of countries authorized to export meat and other products of animal origin. The decision was published this Tuesday and comes into force on September 3rd. Países as well as Argentina, Colômbia and México remain in the relationship.
Comissão Europeia reported that Brasil did not provide sufficient guarantees regarding the control of the use of antimicrobials in livestock farming. The measure affects cattle, horses, poultry, eggs, honey and wraps. Saúde’s spokeswoman for the block, Eva Hrncirova, confirmed the deletion.
Decisão follows update of European health standards
The list defines which third nations comply with the bloc’s rules against using antibiotics to promote growth or increase animal production. The standard also restricts substances reserved for treating infections in humans.
Brasil was included in the previous version of the list. Agora, it no longer appears. Comissão awaits a response from Brazilian authorities for a possible future update.
- Bovinos and live or slaughtered horses
- Carnes of poultry and derived products
- Ovos and honey
- Aquaculture Animais
- Envoltórios and casings for sausages
Affected Produtos include multiple export categories
The ban covers beef, pork, poultry and horse meat. Ela also targets live animals destined for slaughter and various by-products. The total volume of Brazilian exports to Europa represents an important share of the sector.
Setores from agribusiness are already monitoring the impact. The country is one of the world’s largest exporters of beef. The suspension may alter trade flows to other markets.
Acordo with Mercosul enters the scene in the same period
The exclusion comes days after the tentative agreement between Mercosul and União Europeia went into effect on May 1. The pact still awaits definitive approval. Produtores Europeans criticized the trade opening.
França and other countries in the bloc questioned sanitary and environmental conditions. The decision on antibiotics reinforces Bruxelas’s position on equal standards for imported and local products.
The European commissioner for Agricultura, Christophe Hansen, defended the requirement. Ele stated that European farmers follow strict rules. Therefore, imported products must meet the same criteria.
Brasil had already announced internal restrictions on antibiotics
The Brazilian government has banned the use of certain antibiotics in livestock farming. However, it released existing stocks until October. União Europeia has charged broader guarantees since October 2024.
Autoridades Brazilian women have known about the requirement for months. The European list was updated based on information submitted by countries. Brasil did not provide enough data in time.
Impacto can reach the production chain and employment in the countryside
Estados meat producers such as Mato Grosso, Goiás and São Paulo concentrate a large part of exports. The suspension could put pressure on internal prices and slaughterhouse margins.
The poultry sector is also feeling the effect. Brasil exports significant volumes of chicken and eggs to Europa. Commercial Alternativas on other continents are already studied.
Antimicrobial resistance is a public health priority at União Europeia. The block adopts the “One Health” strategy to combat the problem. The measure against Brasil aligns with this policy.
Diálogo between Brasília and Bruxelas remains open
Comissão Europeia signaled its willingness to update the list if Brasil presents the necessary guarantees. Brazilian Autoridades prepares technical response.
Especialistas of Ministério of Agricultura work on the documents. The objective is to reestablish the license as quickly as possible. Exportadores follows the negotiations closely.
This Tuesday’s decision does not yet take immediate effect. Exports continue normally until the end of August. Depois from that date, shipments to the block are blocked.
