UK farming unions urge ban on Brazilian meat imports

Major UK farming organisations, including the National Farmers’ Union, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru, and the Ulster Farmers’ Union, have called on the government to ban imports of Brazilian beef, poultry, and other animal products. The unions have written to Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle requesting that the UK align its policies with the European Union, which is set to implement restrictions on certain Brazilian animal products starting September 3, 2026.

The primary concern cited by the unions is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The European Commission recently decided to remove Brazil from the list of authorized exporters for certain animal products because Brazil has not yet demonstrated compliance with EU requirements regarding the use of specific antimicrobial medicinal products.

Farming leaders warned that without these restrictions, the UK could become a destination for Brazilian meat displaced from European markets. They also expressed concerns regarding public health, consumer confidence, and the potential impact on domestic producers. Additionally, the unions noted that much of this meat enters the food service sector, where country-of-origin labelling is not mandatory, potentially leaving consumers unaware of the product's source.