Brazilian industry organizations have urged their government to expand the ban on various antimicrobial chemical agents. According to the sector, stricter national regulations are necessary to better align with new import criteria and to strengthen Brazil's position in talks with the EU. There is also a call for additional official Brazilian controls on livestock farming.
The proposals come after consultations between Brazil and the European Commission on the new European import conditions, which will take effect in early September. The Brazilian sector is trying to maintain access to the European market with extra measures and tighter controls.
Insufficient
The European Union has since removed Brazil from the list of countries allowed to export certain animal products to the EU. According to the European Commission, Brazil has not sufficiently demonstrated compliance with the new requirements for detecting the use of antimicrobial agents in livestock farming.
Promotion
The new European rules dictate that only countries with an official control system, full traceability, and government certification are permitted to export certain animal products to the European market. For each shipment, an official statement must be issued certifying compliance with European conditions.
Health
Furthermore, the EU prohibits imports of products from animals treated with hormones and antibiotics used as growth promoters or with medicinal antimicrobial agents. Through this approach, the European Union seeks to prevent products that do not meet European health standards from entering the European market. According to the European Commission, the new rules are intended to contribute to combating antimicrobial resistance.
At the same time, the EU aims to ensure that imported products comply with the same health and production standards as food produced within the European Union. The EU agencies responsible for overseeing tightened customs controls at over 500 ports and airports recently demonstrated their procedures to the European media at the port of Antwerp.
Mirroring
This so-called 'mirror approach' is welcomed by both European agricultural organizations and environmental groups, albeit from completely different perspectives. Environmental groups believe that exporting non-EU countries should conform to stricter European criteria, while the agricultural sector primarily seeks to keep (cheaper) competitors out of their European market.
Better Control
The measures are part of a broader tightening of European import requirements for animal products. The requirements apply not only to beef but also to poultry, fish, and honey, among others. Only countries that can demonstrate that their control systems and inspections meet European standards retain access to the European market.
The tightened rules also play an important role in the trade relationship between the European Union and the South American Mercosur countries. While negotiations on Brazilian exports continue, it is becoming clear that the EU will henceforth explicitly condition access to the European market on compliance with its health and control regulations.