EU suspends Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic compliance concerns

The European Union will suspend imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products starting Thursday. Brussels cited concerns that Brazil has failed to provide sufficient guarantees regarding its compliance with bloc rules on antibiotic use in livestock farming.

The suspension covers poultry, beef, eggs, honey, and other food-producing animals. A European Commission spokeswoman confirmed the halt, stating: "Brazil will no longer be authorised to export to the Union food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption."

This disruption affects a major supply chain, as Brazil was the second-largest supplier of beef to the EU in 2025. The South American nation exported more than 92,000 tonnes of beef to the bloc last year, generating over 713 million euros in trade.

The move arrives at a sensitive political moment for European agriculture. Brussels is eager to demonstrate regulatory vigilance following heavy criticism from local farmers and the French government regarding the January 2026 free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc.

The EU strictly bans the use of antimicrobials to promote livestock growth and restricts antibiotics reserved for human medicine to curb antimicrobial resistance. Brazil was placed on an EU non-compliance list in May, prompting an ongoing audit of its poultry and honey sectors.

The audit is scheduled to conclude on Friday, though Brussels has offered no timeline for when trade might resume. If the findings are positive and member states approve, poultry exports could restart within weeks, while beef imports will likely take longer.

A Commission spokeswoman emphasized the diplomatic relationship, stating: "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." She added that once compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume. The Brazilian government stated in May it would act quickly to reverse the suspension, though it did not immediately comment on Monday.

For European producers, the suspension offers temporary relief from cheaper foreign competition. Carlos Roberto dos Santos, a farmer in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, acknowledged the disparity, noting that production costs are much higher over there.

He conceded that a European farmer has no way to compete with him on price. Dos Santos warned that if governments import cheap meat, they are going to destroy their country's farming sector.