FSAI welcomes strengthening of EU food import rules
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has welcomed a move to "strengthen EU food import rules" which it said will "improve food safety for consumers".
On Tuesday (May 12), the European Commission published an updated list of countries outside the EU, known as 'third countries', which are authorised to export food-producing animals and animal products to the EU.
The countries on the list have proven their compliance with the EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.
The list includes over 90 countries, including the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, but not Brazil.
The rules on imports will apply from September 3, 2026, meaning that imports from Brazil may not be accepted from that date.
FSAI
The FSAI is the authority responsible for overseeing the enforcement of food safety controls and legislation in Ireland.
In a statement to Agriland, the authority said it "welcomes changes which improve food safety for consumers and strengthen the EU food system".
"It is imperative that the food safety standards that are in place for food produced in Ireland and within the EU are also required for any food imported from third countries.
"All food sold in Ireland and across the EU, including food imported from third countries, must comply with relevant EU and national food legislation, before it is placed on the market," the FSAI said.
"This strengthening of EU food import rules protects consumers not only from possible chemical residues of medicinal products, but also strengthens controls to minimise the use of medicines in food production whilst protecting the ongoing effectiveness of antibiotics.
"This is very welcome as it protects consumers and also helps to reduce the risk of resistance to antibiotics," the statement added.
The FSAI said that "Ireland will continue to implement and enforce EU and national food law to ensure citizens continue to benefit from the highest standards of food safety".
Brazil
The Brazilian government said the removal of Brazil from the list of countries authorised to export animal products for human consumption to the EU was a "surprise".
"It is worth noting that, at the moment, Brazilian exports of animal products continue normally," the government said in a statement (translated).
The head of the Brazilian delegation met with EU authorites yesterday to seek "explanations for the decision".
"The Brazilian government will promptly take all necessary measures to reverse this decision, return to the list of authorised countries, and guarantee the flow of sales of these products to the European market, to which it has exported for 40 years," the government said.
Imports
The European Commission has said Brazil can rejoin the list once it shows "compliance" with restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.
However, there have been multiple calls from farm organisations and politicians for the ban on Brazilian food imports to come into place immediately.
The FSAI previously confirmed that 128kg of Brazilian beef that contained a banned growth promoting hormone entered the Irish market last year.
