Manaus, Brazil, Aug. 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The president of ApexBrasil said they were «very concerned» about the European Union's restrictions on various animal-derived products that come into force on 3 September, and warned that, if confirmed, they would present significant challenges for Brazilian companies.

«We are paying close attention. Brazilian companies are paying close attention,» said Laudemir Müller in an interview with Lusa, emphasising that the measure could affect a wide range of animal-derived products.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event organised by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) to further the debate on the opportunities presented by the Mercosur–European Union (EU) agreement, Müller questioned the scope of the European measure, which could affect products with very different characteristics and production systems, citing honey produced in the Amazon and beef as examples.

«If a measure like this is implemented, it will affect all animal products – just look at the difference between organic honey here in the Amazon and, I don't know, beef production. In other words, it's a bit difficult to understand,» he said.

«We're not talking about a product that contains a contaminant, or a product that doesn't meet the requirements, nothing like that. We're talking almost about bureaucracy – one way of managing things here and a different way of managing them there,» he said.

Nevertheless, the president of ApexBrasil said he hoped that the Brazilian and European health authorities would quickly reach an understanding that would prevent the restrictions from being imposed.

«My expectation, as president of Apex, which promotes Brazilian products abroad, in this case in Europe, is that this understanding will be reached soon and that this measure will prove unnecessary,» he stressed, acknowledging that the outlook will be challenging for Brazilian companies if the parties do not reach an agreement.

«Reaching an agreement will be very positive,» he said, adding that the measure affects small, medium and large producers and could impact «the entire system».

Despite concerns about the European market, the president of ApexBrasil highlighted that Brazil is accelerating the diversification of its export destinations, seeking to reduce its dependence on specific markets amid greater international trade fragmentation.

«Brazil is doing this, and we are growing; Brazilian exports have hit a record high this year. Brazil is set to become one of the major food exporters; it is a major contribution to food security, and we are working hard on diversification,» he emphasised, acknowledging, however, that «with Europe it is different».

«We share a history; we share values with Europe,» he emphasised, in addition to the agreement, which has been in force since May, between the European bloc and Mercosur.

Just over a week after the provisional entry into force of the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur, the European Union removed Brazil from the list of countries authorised to export animals intended for human consumption and products of animal origin, due to non-compliance with the rules on the use of antimicrobials.

«The Commission confirms that Brazil is not included in the list, which means that, with effect from 3 September, it will no longer be able to export goods to the EU (including both live animals intended for food production and derived products), such as cattle, horses, poultry, eggs, aquaculture products, honey and casings,» Eva Hrncirova, the European Commission's spokesperson for health, told Lusa spokesperson for the European Commission responsible for Health, Eva Hrncirova, told Lusa.

To be included on the list of third countries authorised to export to the EU, «Brazil must say it will comply with the Union's requirements regarding the use of antimicrobials throughout the entire life cycle of the animals from which the exported products originate», the spokesperson said.

The EU rules form part of the EU's ‘One Health' agenda to combat antimicrobial resistance and have applied to EU producers since 2022

*** A Lusa viajou para Manaus a convite da ApexBrasil ***

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