Brazil said it is awaiting a statement on technical documentation issued to the European Commission as the deadline for a potential meat export ban looms.

In May, the commission confirmed that Brazil will no longer be authorised to export a range of animal products to the EU from September 3.

It followed a vote by member states on an updated list of third countries authorised to export food-producing animals and animal products to the EU.

This includes both food producing live animals and derived products - such as beef, poultry, eggs honey and casings.

The commission said that to be included in the list Brazil must ensure compliance with EU requirements on the use of antimicrobials for the entire lifetime of the animals that the exported products originate from.

The Brazilian government previously said it was "surprised" about the country's removal from the list and said it will "promptly take all necessary measures to reverse this decision".

It noted that currently Brazilian exports of animal products to the EU "continue normally".

Brazil

In a statement (translated), Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) said "technical discussions with the European Union regarding sanitary requirements applicable to the control of antimicrobial use in animal production are ongoing".

"Brazil has not requested any relaxation of European sanitary regulations.

"The Brazilian state's commitment has always been to fully meet the requirements established by importing markets, as it has done for decades," the statement outlined.

The ministry said that Brazil exports animal products to more than 150 countries, "including notoriously demanding markets".

It attributed this to the "international credibility of its official agricultural defense system".

Documents

Brazil said it has presented the commission with "robust technical documentation" on "official inspection mechanisms and government guarantees" for each of the production chains covered by European regulations.

"The documentation objectively demonstrates how the Brazilian system ensures verification of implementation, inspection, traceability, monitoring, and certification of compliance with the sanitary requirements established by the European Union," the ministry said.

"Brazil reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to fully meeting the sanitary requirements of the European Union and maintains continuous technical dialogue, based on science, transparency, and cooperation between competent authorities—principles that have historically underpinned international trade in agricultural products," it added.

Exports

A recent report from RaboResearch found that Brazilian product is "already being frontloaded into Europe" ahead of a potential ban on meat exports.

Brazil is a key supplier to the EU, accounting for roughly 25% of chicken imports and 25% of beef imports,

Brazil’s chicken exports to the EU were up 53% year-on-year in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while beef exports increased by 7% over the same period.

"This may be driven not only by the anticipated ban, but also by the implementation of the EU–Mercosur agreement in May 2026, which could create additional incentives for increased imports," the report said.