The recent decision comes after a committee of specialists voted earlier this week to remove Brazil from the EU’s list of nations deemed compliant with antimicrobial regulations. These regulations strictly forbid the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion or yield enhancement in livestock and food-producing animals.
This ban is set to go into effect on September 3, although it can be lifted if Brazilian producers can prove their complete adherence to the EU’s antimicrobial standards.
The timing of this action may stir controversy, especially as it follows only two weeks after the provisional activation of the EU’s trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc—comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay – on May 1.
This trade deal has sparked significant discontent among farmers within the EU, who are concerned it could undermine domestic beef production by opening the market to South American imports.
Additionally, there are growing apprehensions regarding both the traceability and quality of beef from South America, with the latest developments likely intensifying these concerns.
In an interview with Euronews, Brazil’s ambassador to the EU, Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, expressed his surprise at the decision and has requested that the European Commission reconsider its stance.
Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova stated, “To be included in the list of third countries authorised to export to the Union, Brazil must ensure compliance with the Union requirements on the use of antimicrobials for the entire lifetime of the animals that the exported products originate from.” She added, “Once compliance is demonstrated, the EU will be able to authorise or resume the exports.”