An EU committee of member state experts voted unanimously on Tuesday to ban imports of Brazilian meat starting September 3, marking Brazil as the first country removed from the list of states complying with EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in animals. According to Reuters, the European Commission confirmed that Brazil is not included on a list of countries authorized to export certain animal products to the European Union, effectively barring a wide range of shipments starting September 3. The decision comes just two weeks after the EU-Mercosur trade deal provisionally entered into force on May 1, which liberalises agricultural trade across the Atlantic despite fierce opposition from EU farmers. An EU diplomat emphasized that "the fact that the Union is able to enforce the rules is essential for trust, a level playing field, and good relations with our trading partners."
The EU's rules ban the use of antimicrobials in livestock for growth or yield purposes and restrict their use in animals treated with medications reserved for human infections. As reported by Reuters, the move is linked to EU rules restricting the use of certain antimicrobial substances in food-producing animals. The list of third countries which comply with EU requirements will be formally adopted in the coming days. Countries not on the list will face restrictions on exporting animal products to the EU, including live animals and products from bovine, equine, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey, and casings. According to the European Commission, Brazil must demonstrate compliance with EU antimicrobial use requirements for the entire lifetime of animals from which exported products originate. The European Commission's spokesperson confirmed that from September 3, Brazil will no longer be able to export to the EU commodities such as bovine, equine, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey and casings.
According to Reuters, Brazil's Animal Protein Association stated that the country "fully complies" with EU rules and is working to demonstrate this to sanitary authorities. The association noted that exports are not yet suspended. The EU and Brazil are important trade partners, but shipments of beef to the bloc amounted to only 4% of Brazil's beef exports in the first quarter of 2026, while chicken exports represent 8% of total shipments, as reported by the Agriculture Ministry. The Brazilian Agriculture Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the exclusion. The European Commission said it has closely engaged with Brazilian authorities and will continue working toward compliance.
As reported by Reuters, the European Commission has consistently stated that "trade agreements do not change our rules" and that the Commission establishes the Union's mandatory sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Commission spokesperson confirmed that once compliance with the safety rules is demonstrated by Brazil, the EU will be able to resume imports, and Brazil will be able to benefit from the same tariff relief as the other Mercosur countries. The EU has also negotiated safeguards including mechanisms to monitor potential market disruption from a surge in imports from Mercosur countries, with quotas introduced for sensitive products including poultry and meat.
