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EU to Audit Mercosur's Food Safety Amid Beef Concerns

1/17/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The European Union will conduct six agri-food audits in Mercosur in 2026, including Brazil.
The audits follow the ratification of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, enabling lower beef tariffs.
The European Commission says it can ban imports if Mercosur fails to address safety issues after a recall of Brazilian beef containing a banned hormone.
Improvements in Brazil's food safety since 2017 are acknowledged, but audits will continue.

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Story summary

The European Union will conduct six agri-food audits in Mercosur in 2026, including Brazil.
The audits follow the ratification of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, enabling lower beef tariffs.
The European Commission says it can ban imports if Mercosur fails to address safety issues after a recall of Brazilian beef containing a banned hormone.
Improvements in Brazil's food safety since 2017 are acknowledged, but audits will continue.