EU suspends Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic compliance concerns

The European Union will suspend imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products from Thursday, Brussels said, pending assurances from Brazil that it is complying with the bloc's animal health rules. The European Commission said Brazil has failed to provide sufficient guarantees that its exports meet EU standards aimed at preventing the misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming. "Brazil will no longer be authorised to export to the Union food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption," a Commission spokeswoman told AFP on Monday. This will affect commodities such as poultry, meat, eggs and honey. Brussels declined to provide a timeline for when imports might resume. In May, Brazil was put on an EU list of countries that do not keep to rules on the use of antibiotics in animals. An audit of Brazil's poultry and honey sectors is due to conclude on Friday. If the findings are positive and EU member states give approval, Brazilian poultry exports to the bloc could resume within weeks. Beef imports may take longer. The commission said the timeline would depend on how quickly Brazil can demonstrate compliance with EU requirements. "Brazil is an important partner for the EU and we are working closely, constructively and positively with Brazilian authorities to ensure their compliance with these requirements," the spokeswoman said. "Once compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume." The Brazilian government did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment following Monday's announcement, but in May stated it would "quickly" act to reverse the suspension. The EU is keen to show its vigilance after facing strong criticism from farmers and from France following its signing in January 2026 of a free trade agreement with South America's Mercosur bloc -- Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Brazil was the EU's second-largest supplier of beef in 2025, exporting more than 92,000 tonnes worth over 713 million euros ($825 million). The bloc bans the use of antimicrobials to promote growth in livestock and restricts the use of antibiotics reserved for human medicine, as part of efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance. Carlos Roberto dos Santos, a farmer in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, said he understood why the EU wanted to protect its consumers and agricultural industries. "Production costs are much higher over there," he told AFP, conceding that "a European farmer has no way to compete with me." If governments "import cheap meat, they're going to destroy their country's farming sector," he added.