Brazilian meat industry urges wider ban on antimicrobial growth promoters

The measure aims to strengthen the country's position in negotiations with the European Union and preserve access to one of its highest-value export markets.

In official letters sent to the ministry, the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) and the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec) proposed extending existing bans to additional antimicrobial molecules used in poultry and cattle production.

The request comes after the EU decided to remove Brazil from the list of countries recognised as meeting the bloc's requirements for official controls on the use of antimicrobial growth promoter substances in food-producing animals. The new EU rules will take effect on 3 September.

The industry argues that broader restrictions would reinforce Brazil's regulatory framework and demonstrate the country's commitment to the prudent use of antimicrobials and the One Health approach. At the same time, the measure could support ongoing diplomatic efforts to regain full access to the European market.

Industry calls for broader restrictions

In a joint statement, ABPA and Abiec confirmed that they had formally requested the additional regulatory measures. "The initiative aims to support Brazil's efforts to harmonise its regulatory framework with international standards and strengthen the country's position in ongoing discussions with trading partners, especially the European Union," the organisations said.

According to the associations, the EU decision is not related to food safety or animal health concerns in Brazilian production. Instead, it reflects European requirements for official government control systems capable of verifying that prohibited antimicrobials are not used in animals whose products are exported to the bloc.

The industry believes that voluntarily expanding domestic restrictions would strengthen Brazil's regulatory credibility and facilitate negotiations with European authorities.

The proposed measures also reflect growing international pressure to reduce the use of medically important antimicrobials in livestock production to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Many importing countries have progressively tightened their rules on feed additives and growth promoters, making regulatory convergence an increasingly important factor in maintaining market access.

Proposed antimicrobial restrictions

For the poultry sector, ABPA proposed extending restrictions beyond phosphonic acid derivatives (fosfomycin), which were already banned in May, to include enramycin, avilamycin and flavomycin. For the beef sector, Abiec recommended expanding restrictions to sodium monensin, salinomycin, lasalocid and narasin.

The proposal builds on regulations introduced earlier this year banning the import, manufacture, sale and use of performance-enhancing feed additives containing avoparcin, bacitracin, zinc bacitracin, bacitracin methylene disalicylate and virginiamycin.

The organisations also informed the Ministry of Agriculture that their technical teams are available to assist with scientific and regulatory assessments should the government decide to review the current legislation.

EU remains a premium market

The EU remains an important premium destination for Brazilian animal protein exports, particularly poultry products. The bloc accounted for 4.51% (233,137 tonnes) of Brazilian poultry exports last year.

Although Brazilian exports to the EU represent a relatively small share of total production, they generate high added value and are considered strategically important by the industry.

ABPA and Abiec said aligning Brazilian regulations with international benchmarks would help preserve the competitiveness of Brazilian beef and poultry exports while reinforcing the country's reputation for high sanitary standards.