Brazil will lose access to the EU market for live animals and a wide range of animal products intended for human consumption from Thursday, 3 September. The restriction covers beef, poultry, eggs, honey and offal after the country failed to provide all the guarantees required under the bloc’s antimicrobial framework.
Brazil left off approved exporters list
European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová said the development had been expected and prepared in advance.
“This had indeed been prepared in advance,” she told reporters during Tuesday’s daily briefing in Brussels.
Brazil is not currently included on the list of third countries authorised to export the affected products because it has not provided the necessary compliance guarantees.
In a written statement to CNA, the Commission described Brazil as an important EU partner and said it was working closely and constructively with the country’s authorities.
Exports will be able to resume once Brazil demonstrates that it meets the requirements, the Commission said.
Rules seek to curb antimicrobial resistance
Hrnčířová explained that the restriction stems from EU rules governing the use of antimicrobial substances under the bloc’s One Health approach.
The EU prohibits the use of antimicrobials to promote animal growth, as well as the administration to animals of antimicrobial substances intended for human use.
The same requirements apply to trading partners exporting to the EU. From 3 September, all shipments of animals and animal products intended for human consumption must comply with these standards.
The rules are a central part of the EU’s efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, which is considered one of the greatest public health threats of the modern era. They have applied to producers within the EU since 2022.
The Commission held information meetings with third countries in January and June 2023, as well as March 2024, to help trading partners adapt before the September 2026 deadline. Only countries that have provided sufficient guarantees will remain authorised to export these products to the EU.
Audit focuses on poultry and honey
Brazil has already submitted information covering beef, poultry, eggs, honey and aquaculture products. However, the date from which compliance can be certified may differ between product categories because production cycles vary by animal species.
An audit currently being conducted in Brazil by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety is examining poultry meat and honey. The audit is due to conclude on 4 September and covers the two products for which Brazil has already provided written guarantees.
“We have already received some written guarantees for products such as poultry meat and honey. We require guarantees covering the animals’ entire lifecycle,” Hrnčířová said.
She added that no clarifications had yet been provided regarding beef.
An audit report is expected to be prepared in the coming weeks under the Commission’s standard procedures.
Exports could resume following positive findings
If the audit produces a positive outcome, the Commission may consider amending the list of approved third countries to allow Brazil to resume exports of poultry, honey or both.
Any proposal would require a vote by EU member states through the relevant Standing Committee. The Commission stressed that the audit’s findings cannot be anticipated and said it could not provide an indicative timetable at this stage.
The Commission remains in close contact with the Brazilian authorities and said it has full confidence in Brazil’s commitment to addressing the issue so that imports can resume as soon as possible.
Source: CNA
