Brazil may restrict feed additives to restore meat exports to the EU

Brazil is considering banning the use of certain antimicrobial feed additives in livestock production, including monensin, as part of efforts to restore meat exports to the European Union. The proposal emerged after the EU removed Brazil from the list of countries eligible to export animal products, citing concerns over the use of antimicrobial substances throughout animals’ lifetimes.

The initiative is backed by Brazil’s meat processing industry, which argues that the measure would demonstrate the country’s commitment to meeting EU sanitary standards and strengthen negotiations with European authorities. The proposal has reached the office of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, although no final decision has been made.

Livestock producers, however, strongly oppose the plan. They argue that nationwide restrictions would be imposed to satisfy a relatively small export market. Industry estimates suggest that eliminating monensin could increase production costs by about 2 billion Brazilian reais due to lower feed efficiency and slower weight gain.

Producers are also concerned about potential consequences for exports to China, the largest buyer of Brazilian beef. Since the Chinese market requires cattle to be under 30 months of age, removing monensin could make it more difficult to meet these requirements while increasing feeding costs.

In 2025, China imported nearly 1.7 mln tons of Brazilian beef worth $8.8 billion, while the European Union imported about 128 thsd tons valued at $1 billion. Fourteen livestock organizations have urged the government not to introduce nationwide restrictions solely to satisfy the requirements of one export market, stressing that any decision should fully consider its economic impact on the entire sector.

Tags: China, Brazil, EU, Beef cattle