EU halts Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic concerns
Credit: clickpetroleoegas.com.br
The European Union has suspended imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products while awaiting assurances that Brazil is complying with EU regulations on antibiotic use in livestock farming.
The measure, which takes effect from Thursday, covers a range of Brazilian exports, including poultry, beef, eggs, honey and animal casings intended for human consumption, RFI reported.
The European Commission maintains Brazil has not yet provided sufficient guarantees that its exports meet EU standards designed to prevent the misuse of antibiotics in livestock.
“Brazil will no longer be authorised to export to the Union food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption,” a Commission spokesperson said ahead of the suspension.
Brussels has not set a date for when imports might resume, saying this will depend on how quickly Brazilian authorities can demonstrate compliance.
Brazil was added in May to an EU list of countries considered not to be meeting the bloc’s rules on antimicrobial use in livestock.
An EU audit of Brazil’s poultry and honey sectors is due to conclude on Friday, potentially offering an early indication of how quickly some exports could restart.
If the findings are favourable, and EU member states give their approval, Brazilian poultry exports could resume within weeks. Beef shipments are expected to take longer.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
“Once compliance is demonstrated, exports to the EU will be able to resume.”
Antibiotic resistance concerns
The suspension stems from EU efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance – the growing ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to survive medicines designed to kill them.
The bloc bans the use of antimicrobials used to promote growth in livestock, and it restricts the use of antibiotics considered particularly important for human medicine.
Overuse or inappropriate use of such drugs in animals can encourage resistant bacteria to develop and spread between animals, humans and the environment.
EU rules require countries exporting animal products to the bloc to provide guarantees that their production methods meet European standards.
For Brazil, one of the world’s biggest agricultural exporters, the suspension comes at a sensitive moment as Brussels seeks to reassure European farmers that imported food will continue to face strict health and safety controls.