Brazil bill proposes ban on live cattle exports

A bill introduced in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies (PL 4.795/2026) seeks to prohibit the export of live cattle intended for slaughter or fattening. Proposed by Deputy Gleisi Hoffmann, the legislation cites animal welfare concerns as its primary justification.

Data from Comex Stat indicates that live cattle exports from Brazil reached US$ 935.44 million between January and July 2026, a nearly 75% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The market is highly concentrated, with Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, and Lebanon accounting for approximately 95% of the export volume. These regions prioritize fresh meat, driving demand for live animals.

The Parliamentary Agriculture Front (FPA) has called for an economic impact assessment before any vote. While the bill suggests the domestic market could absorb the production, the FPA has questioned the lack of concrete data supporting this claim. Currently, live cattle exports operate under strict sanitary protocols monitored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in compliance with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards.