EU bans Brazilian meat imports over antimicrobial compliance dispute

The European Union has formally prohibited the import of Brazilian beef, chicken, fish, honey and other animal‑origin products, with the ban taking effect on 3 September 2024. The decision, signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stems from Brazil’s failure to provide sufficient evidence that its livestock sector complies with EU rules restricting the use of certain antimicrobial drugs throughout the production chain. Although Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture barred some antibiotics in April, the EU says the documentation does not meet the standards required under its One Health food‑safety policy. The restriction removes Brazil from the EU’s approved exporter list, impacting a market that accounts for a large share of the country’s meat export revenue, while neighbouring Mercosur members such as Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay remain authorized.

The ban is regulatory rather than health‑related; the EU has not identified contaminated meat, but stresses the need for traceability and certification to ensure no prohibited antimicrobials are used.