NFU Seeks Precautionary Ban on Brazilian Poultry Imports

The National Farmers’ Union is calling on the UK Government to consider a precautionary ban on poultry imports from Brazil over concerns about antimicrobial use.

The call follows questions at European Union level about whether Brazil can provide enough evidence that poultry exported to the bloc comes from animals not treated with antimicrobials reserved for human medicine, or antibiotics used to promote growth or improve yields.

According to the NFU, Brazil has until September 3, 2026, to provide the required evidence to the EU. Failure to meet the requirements could affect access to the European market.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw says the UK should take a similar precautionary approach if there is not enough confidence that Brazilian poultry is produced responsibly.

The union is also calling for more frequent testing of poultry entering the UK from countries considered high or medium risk, including Brazil.

The NFU says any poultry redirected from the EU to the UK could increase competition for British producers.

Brazil supplied about 211,000 tonnes of chicken to the EU in 2025, accounting for around 25 percent of EU chicken imports.

Brazil introduced a blanket ban on antimicrobials used for growth promotion in April 2026, although a transition period remains in place.