The European Union decided to remove Brazil from the list of countries authorized to export animal products for human consumption to the European bloc starting September 3, 2026. According to Agência Brasil, the decision was taken after a vote in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed of the European Commission, responsible for updating the list of countries eligible to export animal products to the European Union. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Segundo o texto, a decisão foi tomada após votação realizada no Comitê Permanente para Plantas, Animais, Alimentos e Ração da Comissão Europeia, responsável por atualizar a lista de países aptos a exportar produtos de origem animal para a União Europeia."
The exclusion is based on Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products, which prohibits the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion in the European Union and extends this prohibition to animals and animal products exported to the EU. The European regulation also prohibits the use in animals of 11 classes of antibiotics, 6 specific antibiotic substances and 18 antiviral substances reserved for human treatment, as established in Regulation (EU) 2022/1255. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Human Reserve List - Regulation (EU) 2022/1255. Substances banned for use in animals. Antibiotics: • Carboxypenicillins • Monobactams • Ureidopenicillins • Phosphonic acid • Ceftobiprole derivates • Ceftaroline • Glycopeptides • Cephalosporins with • Lipopeptides beta-lactamase • Oxazolidinones inhibitors • Fidaxomicin • Siderophore • Plazomicin cephalosporins • Glycylcyclines • Carbapenems • Eravacycline • Penems • Omadacycline. 11 antibiotic classes, 6 antibiotic substances and 18 antiviral substances"
The Brazilian government reacted with "surprise" to the decision, according to a joint statement from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Development. The statement affirms that Brazil "will promptly take all necessary measures to reverse this decision, return to the list of authorized countries and guarantee the flow of sales of these products to the European market". The head of the Brazilian delegation to the European Union has a meeting scheduled for Wednesday (13) with European health authorities. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O Governo do Brasil tomará prontamente todas as medidas necessárias para reverter essa decisão, voltar à lista de países autorizados e garantir o fluxo de vendas desses produtos para o mercado europeu"
The measure affects Brazilian exports of beef, poultry, eggs, honey, fish and live animals for food — contracts totaling US$ 2 billion, according to Jornal do Brasil. Brazilian exports continue to occur normally until the measure takes effect in September, and other Mercosul countries like Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay remained authorized to export normally to the European bloc. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"produtos brasileiros como carne bovina, carne de frango, ovos, mel, peixes e animais vivos destinados à alimentação - contratos que somam US$ 2 bi"
The European measure will take effect on September 3, 2026, and Brazilian exports continue normally until this date
The Brazilian government classified the decision as 'surprise' and promised to take measures to reverse it
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
The decision is motivated by European protectionism and pressure from French farmers, not by health concerns
Conflicting versions (1)
Decision timing in relation to ongoing negotiations
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What are the specific technical grounds that led the EU to consider Brazilian guarantees insufficient?
Why it's still unknown: European authorities indicated that Brazil did not present sufficient guarantees about antimicrobial use control, but the specific evaluation criteria were not detailed publicly.
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What specific documents or evidence will Brazil need to provide to return to the list of authorized countries?
Why it's still unknown: The meeting between Brazilian and European authorities is scheduled to seek clarifications about the reasons for exclusion, but requirements for reversal have not yet been specified.
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Why did other Mercosul countries remain on the list while Brazil was excluded?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention that Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay remained authorized, but do not explain differences in antimicrobial control systems that would justify distinct treatments.