The European Union suspended imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products on Thursday after Brazil failed to provide sufficient guarantees that it complies with the bloc’s rules on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals. The restrictions took effect on September 3 and cover, among other products, beef, poultry, eggs and honey. EU rules prohibit the use of antimicrobials to promote animal growth and restrict the use of medicines reserved for treating human infections, as part of efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance. Brazil was the EU’s second-largest beef supplier in 2025, making the suspension potentially significant for its meat industry. An EU audit of Brazilian poultry and honey production is under way and is due to conclude on September 4, although the Commission says the results will not be available immediately. The measure comes about four months after the EU–Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement began to be provisionally applied, amid continuing concern among European farmers about competition from cheaper South American agricultural imports. The Commission says the food-safety rules apply independently of the trade pact.
