Brazil Faces EU Meat Export Ban from September 3, 2026, Over Antibiotics
Brazil faces an EU ban on meat exports starting September 3, 2026, due to non-compliance with EU antimicrobial resistance rules. The European Commission confirmed Brazil is not on the list of compliant countries, affecting various animal products. This follows a recent EU-Mercosur trade deal, with Brazil being the only Mercosur nation excluded from the compliant list.
Brazil will be banned from exporting meat to the EU starting September 3, 2026, unless it complies with the bloc’s rules on antimicrobial resistance. The European Commission confirmed Brazil is not on the updated list of countries meeting EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in animals. These substances cannot be used for growth promotion or increased production in livestock.
Eva Hrncirova, Commission spokesperson, stated that Brazil can no longer export commodities like bovine, equine, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey, and casings to the EU from the specified date. Brazil must ensure compliance for the animals’ entire lifetime. This measure follows the provisional entry into force on May 1 of a trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay), which lowered tariffs on products including beef and poultry. Brazil is the only Mercosur country not on the compliance list.
The Commission has engaged with Brazilian authorities and will continue working towards compliance. Once demonstrated, exports can resume. These rules are part of the EU’s «One Health» strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance, a significant public health threat. EU producers have complied since 2022, and the same principles apply to imports. The provisional list of compliant non-EU countries is regularly updated.