As first reported by the Irish Farmers Journal, the European Commission remains on track to suspend imports of Brazilian beef from September 3, 2026.
Despite speculation that a compromise could be reached before the deadline, sources close to the Commission say there are no current negotiations with Brazilian authorities and the ban is expected to take effect as planned.
The move centres on concerns over compliance with EU antimicrobial rules. It is understood a series of high‑level audits highlighted issues surrounding antibiotic use and record‑keeping within Brazil’s beef sector.
Brazilian officials are still seeking a positive outcome and are reportedly proposing a transition period to allow producers time to comply with EU requirements.
Renato Costa, chairman of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association, acknowledged the industry had shown a degree of ‘passivity’ towards the antimicrobial regulations despite them being known for some time.
One of the biggest challenges for Brazilian producers will be replacing monensin, an in‑feed antibiotic widely used to improve growth rates and control disease.
A Commission source said the EU had repeatedly warned Brazil that the regulations would be enforced. “In relation to antimicrobial use, several times we have highlighted to the Brazilian authorities that we mean business and we will enforce the rules, but they thought that they could postpone and they also thought in the larger political context that it would be hard for the EU to apply a suspension of imports,” the source said.
It is also understood that the restrictions are expected to extend to Brazilian poultry imports, although the shorter production cycle in the poultry sector could allow trade to resume sooner if compliance requirements are met.
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