ICMSA say ‘period of grace’ for Brazil to get its ‘house in order’ on excessive microbials in beef is “stunning”

Reacting to the news that the EU will ban beef imports from Brazil from September on the grounds that beef originating in that country is not complying with EU rules on the use of antimicrobials, the President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, described the announcement as “stunning” and “the latest link in the chain of absurdities and inconsistencies that is the EU’s attitude to beef imports from South America”.

“The very first thing to note here is that the excessive use of antimicrobials in Brazilian beef is just a matter of record – and it was a matter of record that could have been easily checked and verified at any stage over the last twenty years”, noted the ICMSA President.

“A no less pressing matter is why the Brazilians are being given till September to get their ‘house in order’ when the same level of antimicrobials in EU produced food would have the whole lot rejected by the processor and destroyed? If any farmer in Ireland sent a bullock to a factory today with excess antimicrobials in it, that animals would be rejected, the animal would not enter the food chain. The farmer would get zero payment followed by further regulatory checks by the Department.   Is there any logical reason why Brazil is being given three and a half months to sort this out when they have had three decades to do it and couldn’t be bothered? And what about the consumption of the Brazilian beef consumed over these 14-odd weeks? Is the Commission okay with any threats to consumer health that this beef offers? Does human health not matter for June July and August or are the Commission health officials just taking the summer off and they’ll be coming back in the Autumn to pick up the issue of consumer health at that very late stage?”

The ICMSA President said that while the very belated acknowledgment of the issue is welcome, Brazilian beef should be banned immediately – and stay banned – until such time that they can prove that they are meeting the required standards on AMR.  

“An Irish farmer would see their animal destroyed immediately and the same rules should apply to Brazil”, concluded Mr. Drennan.

Ends       13 May 2026

Denis Drennan, 086-8389401

President, ICMSA.

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office