Brazil pushes back on EU meat rules and refutes China tariff rumors

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) said it never asked the European Union for an exception to the bloc’s new sanitary rules on antimicrobial use in animal production. The EU removed Brazil from its authorised list of animal‑origin product exporters, a decision that could take effect on 3 September 2026 and threaten roughly US$ 1.8 billion in yearly exports. Brazil has submitted technical documentation on antimicrobial control and is awaiting the EU’s response, calling the demand for pre‑emptive verification "unacceptable".

At the same time, the ministry dispelled circulating social‑media claims that China imposed a new tariff on Brazilian beef. The 55 % surcharge only applies to volumes that exceed each country’s quota; Brazil’s quota of 1.106 million tonnes for 2026 is still under the limit, so the regular 12 % import duty remains in force. The ministry stressed that the extra charge is a standard safeguard, not a Brazil‑specific tax, and that no new Chinese levy has been introduced this month.