EU halts Brazilian meat, animal imports amid safety concerns

The European Commission said Brazil has failed to provide sufficient guarantees that its exports meet EU standards aimed at preventing the misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming. "Brazil will no longer be authorized to export to the Union food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption," a Commission spokesperson told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday.

This will affect commodities like poultry, meat, eggs, honey and casing. Brussels declined to provide a timeline for when imports might resume.

In May, Brazil was put on an EU list of countries that do not keep to rules on the use of antibiotics in animals. An audit of Brazil's poultry and honey sectors is due to conclude on Friday. If the findings are positive and EU member states give approval, Brazilian poultry exports to the bloc could resume within weeks.

Beef imports may take longer. The commission said the timeline would depend on how quickly Brazil can demonstrate compliance with EU requirements.

"Brazil is an important partner for the EU and we are working closely, constructively and positively with Brazilian authorities to ensure their compliance with these requirements," the spokesperson said. "Once compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume."

The EU is keen to show its vigilance after facing strong criticism from farmers and from France following its signing in January 2026 of a free trade agreement (FTA) with South America's Mercosur group of countries – Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Brazil was the EU's second-largest supplier of beef in 2025, exporting more than 92,000 tons worth over 713 million euros ($825 million). The bloc bans the use of antimicrobials to promote growth in livestock and restricts the use of antibiotics reserved for human medicine, as part of efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance.