Brazil must deliver documents on antimicrobials to the EU by Monday
The Brazilian government is working to gather and send to the EU (European Union) by next Monday (25) the information required by the bloc to prove the control of the use of antimicrobials in Brazilian animal production. This is what sources involved in the negotiation say.
The race against the deadline comes after the EU published, in the middle of the month, an update to the list of countries authorized to export animals and products of animal origin to the bloc - from which Brazil was removed. Therefore, oxen, horses, eggs, fish, honey and birds were blocked.
The European argument is that the country did not provide sufficient guarantees regarding the use of antimicrobials in livestock farming. The measure comes into effect on September 3, but Brazil can return to the list if it presents the required documentation.
The day after the announcement, the Brazilian government had meetings with the Europeans and it was agreed that the information would be sent within 10 to 15 days. The longest deadline ends on May 28th.
In the meantime, the Brazilian government has also published new guidelines for the use of inputs in livestock farming in order to avoid future blockages.
The reversal, however, should not be quick for all products. According to the same sources, beef is the category that faces the greatest risk of not having its authorization reversed in the short term - and the expectation is that the restriction will extend until 2027.
The imbroglio with the EU occurs at a delicate moment: the free trade agreement between the bloc and Mercosur came into force provisionally on May 1, but still faces resistance from European agricultural sectors, especially in France. For analysts and members of the sector, the decision has a political nature and serves as an internal signal from the bloc to its rural producers.
At the same time, positive news for Brazilian agriculture came from another front.
In the context of the European Union, which continues with the embargo until Brazil proves the non-application of antimicrobials, the authorization of the three Chinese slaughterhouses at the beginning of the week is, albeit indirectly, positive news that serves as support to certify the phytosanitary quality of the Brazilian product. This is what Vallya Participações Partner and Executive Director of Vallya Agro, Larissa Walcholz, assesses.
At a time when the world is experiencing a transition from veterinary and phytosanitary regulations to exports, strict charges coming from blocks dependent on Brazil, such as the EU, are not surprising. China also has safeguards and any enabling is a green light for trade.
"In view of this, it makes sense for China to make the entry of Brazilian products more flexible and this should be a discussion throughout this year. Brazil's relationship with China in this sector is stable and especially at this time when we find ourselves in trouble with the European Union", said the expert.
The global herd has been retreating around the world and analysts believe that Brazil is a flexible supplier capable of quickly adapting to more severe regulatory measures.
Source: CNN