The European Union has suspended the entry of certain Brazilian animal products, including beef, poultry meat, equine products, aquaculture products, honey and animal casings, after Brazil was not included in the EU list of third countries recognised as providing the required guarantees on antimicrobial use. The measure took effect on 3 September 2026 and is expected to affect an estimated US$1.84 billion in Brazilian exports to the European market annually, with beef and poultry accounting for the largest share.
The restriction is not based on reported irregularities in individual consignments. Rather, it reflects the European Union’s assessment that Brazil had not provided sufficient guarantees that the relevant products exported to the EU comply with its antimicrobial-use requirements and that the necessary measures are in place to demonstrate such compliance. Under Article 118 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6, third countries exporting the affected animals and animal products to the EU must provide the required guarantees concerning antimicrobial use.
New EU requirements
EU rules prohibit the use of antimicrobials to promote growth or increase yield in food-producing animals. They also restrict the use of certain antimicrobials that are reserved in the EU for treating certain human infections, as part of the bloc’s wider response to antimicrobial resistance.
These requirements have applied to EU producers since 2022, while the provisions governing imports from third countries entered into effect on 3 September 2026. On 12 May, EU Member States endorsed a revised list of third countries authorised to export to the EU under Article 118. Brazil was not included in that list.
Brazil’s exclusion has effectively halted the entry into the EU of the affected categories of Brazilian animal products. The measure covers bovine and equine animals and products, poultry, aquaculture products, honey and casings. Beef and poultry account for the largest share of the trade affected by the measure.
Poultry audit under way
Poultry and honey may be among the first affected sectors to regain access to the EU market. Brazilian authorities have provided documentation and information concerning the relevant export chains, with particular attention to poultry meat, fish, beef, eggs and honey. A European Commission audit of the poultry and honey chains began on 24 August and is scheduled to conclude on 4 September.
The audit is intended to allow European authorities to assess the structure and functioning of Brazil’s official control system in practice, including the procedures used to demonstrate compliance with EU antimicrobial requirements. After the mission, the Commission will assess its findings and prepare its conclusions. If Brazil is considered to have provided the necessary guarantees, it could subsequently be considered for inclusion again in the EU list of authorised third countries. Any restoration of market access would therefore require a further EU decision and would not follow automatically from the completion of the audit.
Brazil cites antimicrobial reforms
The Brazilian government has challenged the restriction, saying it had maintained technical and political discussions with the EU since the bloc’s decision in May. In a joint statement issued on 3 September, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Brazil had implemented measures to meet the applicable requirements and had submitted documentation and information concerning poultry meat, fish, beef, eggs and honey. The government also reaffirmed the strength of Brazil’s official agricultural-defence system.
Brazil has also tightened its domestic antimicrobial policy. On 24 April, with the measure published in the Official Gazette on 27 April, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock issued Ordinance SDA/MAPA No. 1,617/2026, prohibiting the import, manufacture, sale and use of performance-enhancing feed additives containing antimicrobials classified as important in human or veterinary medicine. The substances listed include avoparcin, bacitracin, zinc bacitracin, bacitracin methylene disalicylate and virginiamycin.
The ordinance also provides a 180-day transitional period for certain products manufactured or imported before the rule entered into force.
The Brazilian government says these measures reinforce its action against antimicrobial resistance and are consistent with One Health principles. However, the EU restriction will remain in place unless and until Brazil provides the guarantees required under Article 118 and the European authorities determine that the applicable requirements have been satisfactorily addressed.
Trade and market implications
The suspension comes at a sensitive moment for EU-Mercosur trade relations. Brazil argues that the affected products were subject to quotas and tariff reductions negotiated under the EU-Mercosur agreement and has warned that their exclusion from the European market could alter the balance of concessions underpinning the agreement. The Brazilian government has also indicated that it could consider reciprocal measures and use available legal and trade-settlement mechanisms if the issue is not resolved.
Brazilian poultry industry association ABPA has maintained that the country’s poultry sector complies with EU import requirements and has defended the industry’s production and control systems. The immediate challenge for exporters is therefore to demonstrate compliance in a form accepted by EU authorities while the Commission assesses the information supplied by Brazil and the findings of its audit.
For the poultry sector, the outcome of the ongoing audit could be an important step towards restoring access to the EU market. A positive assessment would not automatically reopen the market, but it could provide the basis for Brazil to be considered again for inclusion on the EU’s list of authorised third countries. The timing of any such decision remains uncertain.
See also:
EU suspends Brazilian poultry imports, French sector calls for strict safeguards
UK urged to ban Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic and AMR concerns
Brazil debates possible feed additive restrictions as it races to meet EU antimicrobial rules
