UK farmers' union urges ban on Brazilian meat over antibiotic concerns

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has asked the UK government to prohibit imports of Brazilian beef and poultry unless the products can demonstrate responsible use of antibiotics. The NFU warns that such imports could expose the UK market to antimicrobial‑resistant bacteria, undermine public confidence in British meat and pressure domestic producers. It cites the EU’s decision to remove Brazil from its list of approved animal‑origin exporters from 3 September, a move based on Brazil’s failure to prove compliance with EU rules on critical antimicrobials.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw called for clear country‑of‑origin labelling, more frequent testing of high‑risk imports and a precautionary approach mirroring the EU ban. Brazilian trade bodies, including the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) and the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (ABIEC), downplayed the risk, saying there is no plan to flood the UK market and that any diversion of products would depend on UK importers. They emphasized that their export strategy targets Asian markets and warned against protectionist measures.

The dispute highlights tensions between trade interests, public‑health concerns over antibiotic resistance and differing regulatory approaches in the UK and EU.