Brazil poultry audit meets EU standards, sparking industry concerns

An audit by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety has found that Brazil’s system for controlling antimicrobial use in poultry production meets European Union requirements. This finding could pave the way for Brazilian poultry to return to the EU market, with a final decision expected in October or November.

Polish poultry producers and the European poultry association, AVEC, have expressed skepticism regarding the results. Industry representatives, including the National Federation of Poultry Breeders and Egg Producers and the National Poultry Council, warn that the audit may not reflect permanent changes in Brazilian practices. They expressed concerns that the system might only appear compliant “on paper” to secure market access.

To mitigate competitive pressure, particularly in price-sensitive segments and the food service sector, industry leaders are calling for regular, in-depth inspections of farms and feed production, as well as detailed testing of imported meat to ensure ongoing compliance with EU antibiotic standards.