Brazil has asked the European Union for a transition period to comply with new antimicrobial use requirements affecting beef exports, following the bloc’s decision to remove the country from the list of approved exporters of animal-origin products.
The Brazilian proposal would allow exporters, in an initial phase, to certify that cattle had not received antimicrobials during the final nine months before slaughter — a requirement considered manageable in systems such as feedlots — while full lifetime traceability compliance would be postponed until 2029.
The main challenge lies in Brazil’s cattle production model, where animals often move through multiple properties before slaughter, making immediate full-chain traceability difficult. Government officials acknowledged delays in addressing the issue, though they считают the EU measure disproportionate.
Brazilian officials are expected to pursue technical discussions with EU sanitary authorities in the coming days, although internal assessments suggest the chances of securing flexibility for beef are limited.
Source: Globo Rural
