BRUSSELS, Aug. 28, 2026 — The European Union has suspended all imports of meat and animal products from Brazil, including poultry, beef, eggs and honey, citing concerns over compliance with EU health standards and the use of antibiotics in livestock farming.
The European Commission said Brazil had failed to provide sufficient guarantees that its products meet EU sanitary requirements, particularly rules governing the use of antimicrobials.
The suspension is likely to weigh on trade between the EU and Brazil. Brazil was the bloc’s second-largest supplier of beef in 2025, exporting more than 92,000 tonnes worth over 713 million euros ($831 million).
The move comes months after the EU and Mercosur — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay — signed a free trade agreement in January. The pact had faced opposition from European farmers, who raised concerns about competition and differences in sanitary and environmental standards.
The dispute centres on the use of antimicrobials in Brazilian livestock production. EU regulations prohibit the use of antibiotics to promote animal growth or boost yields, and restrict the use of antimicrobials considered important for treating infections in humans.
The European Commission has said Brazil has not provided adequate assurances that its producers comply with those requirements, despite repeated exchanges between the two sides.
The suspension adds a new point of tension to EU-Brazil trade relations and puts pressure on Brazilian authorities to demonstrate compliance with European sanitary rules.
