Brazil and EU establish technical cooperation on animal nutrition
Aligning feed regulations
The 2 organisations will begin exchanging information on approval processes for new animal feed ingredients and additives, labelling rules and criteria for setting Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
The aim is to increase mutual understanding of the requirements adopted in the 2 markets and identify regulatory differences that could affect Brazilian and European companies. The memorandum also provides for cooperation on food safety and biosecurity.
Sindirações and FEFAC will work on issues related to sanitary protocols, animal welfare, and the identification and mitigation of risks in supply chains for raw materials and products intended for animal feed.
Feed trade and forums
On trade, the work will focus on the movement of grains, oilseeds, animal feed additives, and co-products, including meals and raw materials for biofuel production.
The cooperation includes the exchange of information on technical and regulatory issues that could affect the flow of these products between the markets.
Another area will be coordinated action in international forums and organisations related to animal feed.
Sindirações and FEFAC intend to share positions and technical information in regulatory discussions and seek greater convergence of international standards applicable to the sector.
The 2 organisations also intend to coordinate positions in international forums and work to reduce barriers to the movement of grains, oilseeds, co-products and additives used in animal feed.
Soy anchors feed supply
The closer relationship comes at a time of change in trade relations between the 2 blocs. Signed in January this year, the Interim Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union entered into force on 1 May 2026.
The agreement establishes a gradual reduction in tariffs and new rules for trade across a market of approximately 720 million consumers with a combined GDP of more than US$22 trillion.
Animal nutrition occupies a strategic position in this relationship. In 2024, Brazil exported 229,600 tonnes of animal feed, worth US$298.4 million. European countries are among the relevant destinations for these products.
The European Union is also an important market for Brazilian raw materials used in feed production, particularly products from the soyabean complex.
Preliminary data for 2026 show, for example, that the Netherlands alone received 12,700 tonnes of Brazilian animal feed preparations during the period for which figures have been recorded so far.
Path for dialogue
The discussions between Sindirações and FEFAC began during the 19th International Feed Regulators Meeting, organised by the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The agreement was subsequently formalised at Sindirações’ headquarters, with the participation of Nicolas Coudry-Mesny, president of FEFAC, and Rodrigo Nascimento, FEFAC’s Head of Market and Trade Policy.
The cooperation takes on additional importance in light of European sanitary requirements. Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture says the EU is among the markets that, in addition to specific certificates, require prior approval procedures for Brazilian establishments.
Brazil already has models of sanitary certificates agreed with the bloc for different products intended for animal feed.
Antimicrobial rules tighten
One of the most sensitive issues at present is the use of antimicrobials in animal production. A new European requirement, applicable from 3 September, prohibits the use of certain antimicrobial medicinal products in animals and products of animal origin imported into the bloc.
The issue remains under negotiation between Brasília and Brussels as they work to demonstrate that Brazil’s system complies with the new requirements.
According to Roberto Ignacio Betancourt, chairman of the Sindirações Board, closer cooperation between the 2 industries could help mitigate risks in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
“Preserving market access is essential to safeguard the supply of animal feed in the European Union and support competitive and sustainable livestock production. Through close cooperation, Europe and Brazil can promote the continued growth and resilience of their animal feed industries.”