Brazil threatens retaliation after EU halts meat imports over antibiotics rules
Brazil's EU ambassador rejected the need for an audit of the country's meat production after the European Commission suspended imports, warning of possible countermeasures. The Commission says its food safety requirements apply equally to all third countries.
Brazil's ambassador to the European Union, Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, told Euronews on Friday that he saw no need for an audit of Brazilian meat production, while warning of possible retaliation against the EU's decision to suspend imports from the country.
The European Commission's ban took effect this week after Brazil was removed from the list of countries deemed compliant with EU food safety rules concerning the use of antibiotics to promote animal growth. An EU audit of Brazilian poultry and honey is currently underway, but the Commission said Brasília had not provided the guarantees needed for an audit of its beef.
Brazil's response
The ban sparked anger from the Brazilian government on Thursday, which threatened to introduce countermeasures. Da Costa e Silva argued that no audit was necessary for poultry, honey or beef, since other countries had not been audited either, and insisted Brazil had already provided sufficient guarantees.
The ambassador said Brazil would keep discussing the matter with the Commission, but that if imports were not resumed, all options remained open, and Brazil could be "creative" in its response.
Commission pushes back
Deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill rejected Brazil's accusation of unfair treatment on Friday, saying the Commission's approach is non-discriminatory and that partners had been given sufficient time and information to adjust. Gill added that food safety rules remain a top priority for EU citizens and have long been known to trading partners.
The dispute comes as a provisional free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur bloc — Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay — entered into force in May, despite strong opposition from EU farmers who fear Latin American products failing to meet the bloc's phytosanitary and food safety standards could flood the European market.
The EU's rules targeting antimicrobial resistance were introduced in 2018, applied to EU producers since 2022, and extended to foreign importers as of Thursday.
