EU delists Brazil's animal exports; Lula lobbies von der Leyen at the G7
Brussels bans Brazilian meat, poultry and honey from September over growth-promoter use, weeks after Mercosur-EU took provisional effect
Summary
In May 2026 an EU experts committee unanimously removed Brazil from the list of countries authorised to export animal products, banning beef, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey and casings from 3 September 2026 over the use of antimicrobial growth promoters — making Brazil the first country so delisted, weeks after the Mercosur-EU agreement took provisional effect on 1 May. On 16 June, attending the G7 summit at Évian as a guest, Lula met Ursula Von Der Leyen and António Costa to press for reversal of the meat and steel barriers. Brasília vowed "all necessary measures." The clash compounds Brazil's parallel tariff fight with Washington.
By the numbers
- 3 Sep 2026 — date the EU ban takes effect.
- 1 May 2026 — Mercosur-EU provisional entry into force.
- 1st — Brazil is the first country removed from the approved list.
Why it matters
Brazil is the world's largest beef and poultry exporter; an EU delisting on standards grounds — just as the long-delayed Mercosur deal finally took effect — threatens a major market and tests whether the agreement's promised access survives non-tariff barriers. It hands Lula a second trade front while he campaigns for re-election.
What to watch
- Whether Brussels grants a review or the September ban stands.
- Brazilian compliance moves on growth promoters and any WTO challenge.
- Spillover into Mercosur-EU implementation and ratification.