Brazilian meat exports to EU banned from September over antimicrobial use

The European Commission has banned imports of Brazilian meat starting on Sept. 3, 2026, due to non-compliance of antimicrobial use regulations.

However, Irish farmers are calling for an immediate ban on meat from Brazil, given the seriousness of the situation.

The move by the Europeans came after the commission published an updated list of countries that have complied with EU restrictions on the use of antimicrobials in animals.

The use of such substances to promote the growth of livestock is banned in the European Union, and any meat or live cattle imports into any EU country must abide by the same rules.

It’s only a few days since further talks on the Mercosur reduced-tariffs trade deal between the EU and Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, took place.

However, Brazil was the only country out of the four that was not on the updated list of approved countries that were complying with the regulations on antimicrobial use.

If Brazil can demonstrate it can comply with the rules then it will be allowed to export meat to the EU once again.

Eva Hrncirova, the European Commission’s spokesperson for Health, said, “The Commission confirms that Brazil is not included in the list, meaning that it can no longer export to the EU commodities, both food producing live animals and derived products such as bovine, equine, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey and casings, with effect as from Sept. 3 2026.

“Once compliance is demonstrated, the EU will be able to authorize or resume the exports,” she said.

The list of non-EU countries that comply with the rules and are allowed to export has been around since 2024 and is updated regularly.

A FIRST STEP

Irish Farmers Association president Francie Gorman said the move by the EC is an important first step.

Gorman said, “The commission is finally taking the Antibiotic/Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) threat posed by Brazilian beef production somewhat seriously.

“The Brazilian authorities do not have a good track record of compliance with EU auditors and trade requirements as evidenced by the finding of the DG Sante inspections.

“There can be no fudging of this issue by the commission, there can be no short cuts taken with an issue this serious for human and animal health.

“The starting point has to be a comprehensive database of all bovine animals in the country to allow prescribing of antibiotics for farm animals and the infrastructure must then be built around that to incorporate prescribing, dispensing and treatment records similar to what we have in this country.”

The IFA President said it will take years for these systems to be developed and put in place.

Gorman added: “Until this happens, not one ounce of Brazilian beef should be allowed enter the EU if the commission are serious about AMR and if this announcement is to have any credibility.”

In response, the Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil said it was surprised by the decision and that its government would try to reverse the ruling.