Brazil dismisses meat concerns as UK farm union demands ban

By Stephanie Brooks 06/08/2026 3 min read 2 views

Brazilian trade bodies are downplaying concerns that meat from the country will flood the UK market after the National Farmers’ Union called for a ban mirroring an upcoming European Union restriction. The NFU warned that without similar action in Britain, there is a risk that Brazilian beef and poultry intended for the EU could be diverted to the UK, distorting trade and putting pressure on domestic producers.

Brazil is a major global supplier of animal protein, but its exports to the UK currently lag far behind shipments to the EU. While Brazil ships almost 100,000 tonnes of beef and more than 200,000 tonnes of chicken annually to the bloc, UK imports are significantly smaller. In 2025, the UK imported 127,000 metric tonnes of Brazilian chicken, a 39% increase on the previous year, alongside nearly 29,000 tonnes of beef, much of which was processed for products like burgers and ready meals.

The EU confirmed in June that Brazil would be removed from a list of approved exporter countries for animal products on 3 September. This decision followed an EU committee’s ruling that Brazil had failed to comply with rules governing the use of antimicrobials. The UK government has opted against mirroring the EU ruling, preferring instead to conduct its own independent assessment of Brazil’s assurance arrangements. Brazil’s imports of meats into the UK continue to be permitted while this review takes place, with no date set for a decision.

Despite the looming EU ban, leaders of Brazil’s meat industry have insisted there is no plan to increase exports to the UK. Speaking at the biennial animal protein trade fair in São Paulo, ABPA president Ricardo Santin and ABIEC president Roberto Perosa exclusively told The Grocer that targeting the British market is not part of their strategy. They argued that the decision to sell more products depends solely on UK importers and noted that during a four-month pause in EU exports last year due to avian influenza, supply was redirected to more than 150 other countries without a surge in UK arrivals.

Perosa emphasized that Brazil aims to stimulate beef consumption in Asia rather than sending huge volumes to Europe or the UK. He also cautioned the UK against taking “protectionist measures,” stating that a sudden ban without dialogue would damage the global food system. Santin countered the NFU’s claims by noting that the Brazilian poultry industry already segregates production for export and does not use antibiotics as growth promoters. He suggested that the lack of information in the UK about how Brazilian farms operate leads to misunderstandings regarding safety standards.

While the volume of trade between the two nations is relatively small, Brazilian officials view the relationship as significant for price setting and national image. They argue that maintaining dialogue is essential rather than imposing abrupt restrictions, particularly given the broader challenges facing global food security. The UK government has indicated it is actively working with industry and Brazilian authorities to assess risks, emphasizing its existing import controls designed to protect animal and public health.