EU halts Brazilian meat, animal imports amid safety concerns

The European Union will stop accepting Brazilian meat and other animal products from Thursday, after saying Brazil has not provided enough guarantees that its exports comply with rules on antibiotic use in livestock.

The suspension covers food-producing animals and animal products intended for human consumption, including poultry, meat, eggs, honey and casings. Brussels has not set a date for imports to resume. The European Commission said Brazil must demonstrate compliance with EU requirements before trade can restart.

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Brazil will no longer be authorized to export to the Union food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption.

An audit of Brazil’s poultry and honey sectors is due to finish on Friday. If its findings are positive and EU member states approve them, Brazilian poultry exports could resume within weeks. Beef shipments may take longer, with the timetable depending on how quickly Brazil addresses the bloc’s concerns.

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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.

Brazil was placed on an EU list in May of countries that do not comply with rules governing antibiotic use in animals. The bloc bans antimicrobials used to promote growth and restricts antibiotics reserved for human medicine as part of efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance.

The decision also comes as Brussels faces criticism from farmers and France after signing a free trade agreement with the Mercosur group in January 2026. The EU described Brazil as an important partner and said it was working with Brazilian authorities in a constructive manner. Brazil was the bloc’s second-largest beef supplier in 2025, sending more than 92,000 tons valued at over 713 million euros ($825 million).

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Once compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume.