EU suspends Brazilian meat exports, SRB demands clarification

The European Union has removed Brazil from its list of countries authorized to export animal proteins, halting shipments of beef, poultry and fish from September 3. The action follows EU findings of shortcomings in Brazil's control of antimicrobial use in livestock, breaching a 2019 regulation – later updated in 2023 – that requires proof of regulatory equivalence. The EU deadline for compliance is set for September 2026.

Brazil's Sociedade Rural Brasileira (SRB) issued a statement calling for an explanation of the decision. It highlighted the credibility of the country's animal product inspection service (SISPOA) and the existing traceability system (Sisbov), asserting that the technical measures demanded by the EU are feasible. SRB stressed that Brazil can meet the standards and urged identification of any procedural gaps that led to the missed deadline. The Ministry of Agriculture has already banned certain antimicrobials such as virginiamycin and tilmicosin, but additional steps may be required to satisfy EU requirements. The EU is Brazil's second‑largest market for meat products after China, so the suspension poses a notable trade challenge for the Brazilian agribusiness sector.