The EU will suspend meat imports from Brazil starting in September
The decision was approved by the European Commission's Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, which has updated the list of countries authorized to export these products to the EU market.
The measure comes just twelve days after the entry into force of the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur , comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay . From the Spanish meat industry, the director general of the National Association of Meat Industries of Spain (Anice), Giuseppe Aloisio , believes the veto demonstrates that the regulatory clauses of the agreement “seem to be starting to work.” Aloisio pointed out that this type of control was one of the main demands of the European livestock sector, especially the beef sector , given the competition posed by Brazil. However, he also warned that the decision “will cast a shadow” over the trade agreement with Mercosur.
The Spanish Beef Cattle Producers Association (Asoprovac) welcomed the EU decision, stating that Brussels has “finally acknowledged” the warnings the organization had been issuing for years regarding the health and safety standards of Brazilian beef. According to the association, in addition to the new regulations on antimicrobial resistance, the European decision is related to previous EU audits that detected deficiencies in Brazilian controls on substances banned in the EU, such as estradiol .
The organization also expressed its doubts about the deadline of September for implementing the suspension. Sources at Asoprovac believe there is a risk that Brazil will use these months to increase exports before the ban takes effect, instead of undertaking the reforms required by the European market.
On the other hand, the Brazilian government and the country's main meat industry organizations have reacted with "surprise" to the measure and are reportedly already working to try to reverse it before it takes effect . According to official data, Brazilian exports of meat, chicken, eggs, and other animal products to the EU reach approximately $1.8 billion annually .
The Brazilian government stated in a press release that it will take “ all necessary measures ” to ensure the continuity of trade with the EU. Furthermore, the head of the Brazilian delegation to the EU, Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, plans to meet with European health officials to request clarification on the decision.
For its part, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) maintained that Brazil “fully complies with all European Union requirements,” including those related to antimicrobials, and emphasized that the country has “strict” traceability and veterinary control protocols. Similarly, the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC) stressed that the suspension will only take effect if Brazil fails to provide the guarantees demanded by Brussels before September.
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