The country has until September to adapt to the European body’s standards, when exports begin
A European Union (EU) published, this Tuesday (12), a list of countries that comply with its rules against excessive use of antibiotics in livestock farming, with a notable absence: the Brazil.
The list, validated by European countries, establishes which third countries (including Argentina, Colombia and Mexico) will be able to continue exporting meat to Europe from September onwards, as they comply with European health standards.
However, for now, Brazil is not included, as did not provide to EU guarantees regarding the non-use of antimicrobial products in livestock farming.
The list may be updated soon, as soon as Brazilian authorities respond to Brussels.
The publication of the list reflects the desire of the European Union to send a strong surveillance signalafter criticism from the agricultural sector and France for signing a free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay).
The agreement came into force on May 1stem provisional characterawaiting a court decision in Europe on its legality.
“Our farmers follow some of the most stringent health and antimicrobial standards in the world. It is therefore legitimate that imported products are subject to the same requirements. The decision taken today demonstrates that the European control system works,” said European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen.
According to European standards, the use of antimicrobials in animals to promote growth or increase production and prohibited. Animals too cannot be treated with antimicrobials reserved for human infections.
These measures are part of the European politics of combating microbial resistance to medicines and avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics.
