Brazil seeks high-level EU talks after bird flu-free recognition

The EU has recognized Brazil as free from bird flu following the South American nation's first-ever outbreak in May, opening the door for negotiations to gradually resume chicken imports from all Brazilian regions. According to Brazilian officials, the recognition represents a crucial first step toward restoring full trade access rather than an immediate lifting of restrictions.

Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro announced the development Sept. 4 following a videoconference with EU Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare Oliver Varhelyi, according to a ministry statement. The EU official said Brazilian authorities had provided sufficient data to demonstrate the country's bird flu-free status, setting the stage for member states to begin discussions on "the gradual lifting of bans and restrictions on Brazilian exports."

Market access

The EU's recognition marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough for Brazil's poultry industry after months of restricted access to European markets. Through June, the EU had imported 125,300 mt of chicken meat from Brazil worth $386.3 million in 2025 -- a 20.8% year-over-year increase despite the restrictions -- according to trade data from Brazil's chicken and pork lobby ABPA.

The path forward involves a phased approach, with Favaro indicating that EU member states would meet "in the coming weeks" to discuss lifting enhanced controls and returning to pre-outbreak inspection procedures. This suggests Brazilian exporters will need to wait for additional administrative steps before full market access is restored.

Brazil's bird flu outbreak in May marked the country's first encounter with the highly pathogenic virus, prompting multiple trading partners to impose import bans as a precautionary measure. While several countries have gradually lifted restrictions, China, a major chicken importer, continues to maintain barriers against Brazilian poultry products.

The EU's recognition comes after extensive diplomatic engagement between Brazilian authorities and EU officials. According to a Sept. 4 update from the European livestock industry group UECBV, Brazil submitted the most recent documents requested by the EU's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) on July 28. Brazilian officials subsequently requested high-level meetings to expedite the resolution.

"Minister Favaro, I have good news: our assessment is that the data provided by your ministry is sufficient to recognize that Brazil is free of avian influenza," Varhelyi was quoted as saying in the Brazilian agriculture ministry statement. "In practice, this means that we will move forward with the Member States to propose the gradual lifting of bans and restrictions on Brazilian exports, progressively reinstating all previously authorized areas."

Regulatory steps

The UECBV, which had been advocating for the ban's removal since July, noted that DG Sante had promised updates before a scheduled Sept. 18 meeting between the industry group and EU officials. The accelerated timeline for recognition suggests Brazilian authorities successfully addressed European concerns about disease control measures and surveillance protocols.

However, the emphasis on "gradual" lifting and "progressive" reinstatement indicates that Brazilian exporters will face a phased return to full market access rather than an immediate resumption of normal trade flows. This approach reflects standard EU procedures for restoring trade relationships following animal health incidents.

Brazil's poultry sector, one of the world's largest exporters, has been working to contain the economic impact of the bird flu restrictions while maintaining strict biosecurity measures. The country's ability to achieve disease-free recognition reflects the effectiveness of its veterinary surveillance system and response protocols.

The timing provides Brazilian exporters with hope for restored European market access ahead of the year-end holiday season, though the administrative process for lifting restrictions across all Brazilian regions may extend the timeline for full trade resumption.