The NFU is calling on the UK Government to introduce a precautionary ban on Brazilian poultry imports unless Brazil can demonstrate that its production complies with requirements on antimicrobial use.
The call follows concerns at EU level over whether Brazil can provide sufficient evidence that products of animal origin exported to the bloc are not derived from animals treated with antimicrobials reserved for human health, or with antibiotics used for growth promotion or yield improvement.
The EU has given Brazil until 3 September 2026 to provide the required evidence, according to the NFU. If the requirements are not met, Brazilian products could lose access to the EU market.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said the UK should take the same precautionary approach as the EU if there is not confidence that Brazilian meat has been produced responsibly.
The NFU also wants the frequency of testing for products entering the UK from high- and medium-risk countries, including Brazil, to be increased.
The union highlighted the potential impact on the UK poultry sector if Brazilian product currently destined for the EU is redirected to other markets.
Brazil is a major poultry exporter and an important supplier to the European market. RaboResearch estimates that Brazil supplied around 211,000 tonnes of chicken to the EU in 2025, accounting for about 25% of EU chicken imports.
The UK already has tariff-rate quotas covering Brazilian poultry products. Current government data shows, for example, a 46.31m kg annual Brazilian quota for one category of poultry preparations and a 42.024m kg quota for another, alongside separate quotas covering salted or preserved poultry and other preparations.
The NFU warned that additional Brazilian poultry entering the UK could put further pressure on domestic producers.
Bradshaw also said there was a risk that Brazilian poultry originally destined for the EU could be diverted to the UK market, with potential consequences for competition and confidence in British meat.
Brazil has taken steps to tighten its antimicrobial rules. RaboResearch reports that the country introduced a blanket ban on antimicrobials used for growth promotion in April 2026, although a transition period applies. It also notes that the absence of a national surveillance and monitoring system for antimicrobial use and sales has made it difficult for Brazil to demonstrate full compliance with EU requirements.