Import restrictions if Brazil fails to demonstrate compliance with EU requirements

From 3 September 2026, new restrictions on the import of certain products of animal origin from Brazil will apply in the European Union (EU). These changes are set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189, adopted by the European Commission on 4 June 2026.

The restrictions have been introduced in accordance with the prohibition laid down in EU legislation on the use of antimicrobial medicines in animals and animal products intended for export to promote growth or increase productivity, as well as medicines intended for the treatment of human infections. As the European Commission has not received the necessary evidence and guarantees that Brazil will implement the required control measures by the set deadline, the authorisation for this country to export cattle, equidae, poultry and their products, aquaculture products, honey and casings.

“These measures are intended to ensure uniform official controls across all EU Member States and to protect consumer health. The European Union applies strict requirements to the production of animals and animal products intended for export, including the use of antimicrobial medicines. Consequently, only products for which the country of origin can guarantee that the production and control systems comply with EU requirements may be supplied to the EU market. In this case, the necessary guarantees were not received from Brazil in good time, and so import restrictions apply to the relevant product categories,” says Deividas Kalinauskas, Head of the Animal Products Division at the State Food and Veterinary Service.