Brazil government sets new rules for meat exports to European Union, Globo Rural reports

The Brazilian government has introduced new measures to address the European Union’s (EU) recent ban on Brazilian meat imports, which took effect on September 3, 2026, due to non-compliance with antimicrobial-use regulations. The EU maintains a list of non-EU countries that comply with its antimicrobial restrictions, and Brazil was the only one of four Mercosur countries not included in the updated list. The EU has prohibited the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion in livestock since the early 2000s, and the same rules now apply to third-country exports.

Brazilian meatpackers and agricultural leaders are working to negotiate a resolution with EU authorities. Renato Costa, CEO of Friboi and chairman of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec), emphasized the need for political engagement and technical cooperation to implement a protocol segregating untreated cattle. The industry is also seeking a transition period to align its supply chain with EU requirements.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has taken a proactive role in the negotiations, advocating for Brazil’s reinstatement on the EU’s approved list. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture has expressed surprise at the EU’s decision and pledged to challenge it. The EU ban could impact Brazil’s beef export revenue, which totaled $1 billion in 2025, though the country continues to see strong demand for its meat in the United States.

The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for Brazil’s agribusiness sector and its access to one of the world’s most lucrative meat markets.