EU to block Brazil animal product exports from September
European Commission Announces Export Ban on Brazilian Animal Products
SAO PAULO, May 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission said Brazil is not included on a list of countries authorized to export certain animal products to the European Union, effectively barring a wide range of shipments starting September 3.
Background and Reasons for the Ban
• In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the European Commission said the move is linked to EU rules restricting the use of certain antimicrobial substances in food-producing animals
Scope of the Export Ban
• The decision means Brazil will no longer be able to export products including beef, poultry, eggs, as well as live animals, to the European bloc
Context: EU-Mercosur Trade Deal
• The move comes days after a long-negotiated EU-Mercosur trade deal provisionally entered into force on May 1
Requirements for Compliance and Future Prospects
• Brazil must demonstrate compliance with EU antimicrobial use requirements for the entire lifetime of animals from which exported products originate
• Once compliance is demonstrated, the EU will authorize exports again, the statement said
• The European Commission said it has closely engaged with Brazilian authorities and will continue working toward compliance
Response from Brazilian Authorities
• Brazil's Agriculture Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment
(Reporting by Julia Payne and Isabel Teles; Additional reporting by Fernando Cardoso; Editing by Iñigo Alexander)
