EU halts Brazilian meat imports over animal health concerns

The European Union announced on September 1 that it will suspend imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products starting Thursday, pending assurances from Brazil that it complies with EU animal health rules. The European Commission cited Brazil's failure to provide sufficient guarantees regarding the use of antibiotics in livestock farming.

This decision affects commodities such as poultry, meat, eggs, and honey. The Commission did not provide a timeline for when imports might resume. Brazil was previously placed on an EU list of countries that do not adhere to rules on the use of antibiotics in animals. An audit of Brazil's poultry and honey sectors is set to conclude on Friday, with possible resumption of poultry exports within weeks depending on compliance.

Beef imports may take longer to resume. The EU emphasized its commitment to working closely with Brazilian authorities to ensure compliance, highlighting Brazil's importance as a partner.