Europe's poultry industry has urged Brussels to delay a vote on letting Brazilian chicken back into the European Union, arguing that member states still lack proof that Brazil can meet the bloc's rules on antibiotics in farming.

The Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU Countries (AVEC) made the call on 11 November, days before the European Commission is expected to consider restoring Brazil to its list of authorised exporting countries on 16–17 November.

Imports surge despite suspension

Brazil shipped about 312,000 tonnes of poultry meat to the EU in the first nine months of 2026 — around 34% more than the 233,000 tonnes recorded in the whole of 2025 — according to European Commission figures. Imports rose 44% year on year in the first half of 2026.

Exports of Brazilian poultry and beef have been suspended since 3 September, after the EU concluded Brazil had not shown its controls on antimicrobial use met EU standards. An audit carried out in August returned positive findings, paving the way for a vote on re-listing Brazil for poultry and honey, although beef remains excluded for now.

What AVEC wants before the vote

AVEC wants the vote postponed until member states receive additional, independently verified guarantees that Brazil can comply with EU requirements throughout birds' lifetimes, including feed sampling, hatchery checks and keeping EU-destined poultry separate.

The trade body said large volumes shipped around the 3 September deadline included meat that did not comply with the new antimicrobial rules, although it stressed the consignments met food safety requirements and posed no risk to consumers.

If member states back re-listing with a qualified majority on 16–17 November, Brazilian poultry could resume entering the EU. Read the Poultry News report and the Rapporteur background on the vote for more detail.