UK farming organizations are calling for a ban on Brazilian meat imports, citing concerns over the routine use of antibiotics in farming and potential public health risks.
Key facts
- •The EU is scheduled to ban Brazilian beef and chicken imports next week over antibiotic safety concerns.
- •UK imports from Brazil rose from £3 billion in 2021 to £5 billion in 2025.
- •In 2024, Brazil accounted for approximately one-eighth of all UK chicken imports.
- •Antibiotic resistance is linked to 4.71 million deaths annually, according to the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics.
- •NFU president Tom Bradshaw met with Defra secretary Angela Eagle in July to demand a ban on the imports.
Leading UK farming organizations have requested an urgent ban on meat imports from Brazil, warning that the routine use of antibiotics in the country's cattle and poultry production poses a public health risk. The National Farmers’ Union and its counterparts in the devolved administrations sent a letter to the government on Friday, arguing that the practice contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
By the numbers
Concerns Over Antibiotic Use
The call for a ban follows reports that Brazilian farmers have easy access to antibiotics classified as critical for human medicine without veterinary prescriptions. While the Brazilian government has introduced some regulations to restrict routine antibiotic use, critics argue that traceability rules are not being effectively applied. The European Union is set to ban Brazilian beef and chicken imports next week due to these same safety concerns.
Government Response and Market Impact
The UK government has so far refused to implement a ban, with a Defra spokesperson stating that officials are conducting a rapid assessment of Brazilian production systems. Imports from Brazil to the UK have increased significantly since Brexit, rising from approximately £3 billion in 2021 to £5 billion in 2025. Farmers fear that the EU’s upcoming ban will lead to a diversion of Brazilian meat exports toward the UK market.
Timeline
- Last yearAn investigation found Brazilian farmers had easy access to critical antibiotics without prescriptions.
- JulyNFU president Tom Bradshaw met with Defra secretary Angela Eagle to demand a ban.
- FridayUK farming organizations wrote to the government calling for an urgent ban on Brazilian meat.
- Next weekThe EU is scheduled to implement a ban on Brazilian beef and chicken imports.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Health.
