THE EUROPEAN UNION will suspend imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products from Thursday, pending assurances from Brazil that it is complying with the bloc\u2019s animal health rules.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrazil will no longer be authorised to export to the Union food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption,\u201d a Commission spokeswoman told AFP on Monday.<\/p>\n
This will affect commodities such as poultry, meat, eggs and honey. Brussels declined to provide a timeline for when imports might resume.<\/p>\n
In May, Brazil was put on an EU list of countries that do not keep to rules on the use of antibiotics in animals.<\/p>\n
An audit of Brazil\u2019s poultry and honey sectors is due to conclude on Friday.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The commission said the timeline would depend on how quickly Brazil can demonstrate compliance with EU requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrazil 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,\u201d the spokeswoman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Brazilian government did not immediately respond to AFP\u2019s request for comment following Monday\u2019s announcement, but in May stated it would \u201cquickly\u201d act to reverse the suspension.<\/p>\n
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 with South America\u2019s Mercosur bloc \u2013 Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.<\/p>\n
Brazil was the EU\u2019s second-largest supplier of beef in 2025, exporting more than 92,000 tonnes worth over \u20ac713 million.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Carlos Roberto dos Santos, a farmer in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, said he understood why the EU wanted to protect its consumers and agricultural industries.<\/p>\n
\u201cProduction costs are much higher over there,\u201d he told AFP, conceding that \u201ca European farmer has no way to compete with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
If governments \u201cimport cheap meat, they\u2019re going to destroy their country\u2019s farming sector,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n