The European Union updates the list of countries authorized to export animals and animal products to the European market.

The member states voted on the updated list of third countries that can export to the European Union animals intended for food production and products of animal origin, after assessing compliance with EU restrictions on the use of antimicrobials. The rules aim to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance and will block imports from countries that do not comply with European prohibitions on the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion or yield and the use of substances reserved for human infections.

The EU member states voted on an updated list of third countries authorized to export to the European market animals intended for food production and products of animal origin, after the European Commission assessed whether they comply with the Union's restrictions on the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry.

In short The member states voted on the updated list of third countries authorized to export to the EU animals intended for food production and products of animal origin.

The countries included on the list have demonstrated that they comply with EU restrictions on the use of antimicrobials in animals intended for food production.

EU rules prohibit the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry for growth promotion or yield.

Animals cannot be treated with antimicrobials reserved for human infections.

The list will be formally adopted in the coming days, and the rules regarding imports will apply from September 3, 2026.

The member states of the European Union voted on an updated list of third countries authorized to export to the EU animals intended for food production and products of animal origin. The European Commission welcomed the vote, presenting the measure as part of efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

The list includes countries that have demonstrated compliance with European restrictions on the use of antimicrobials in animals intended for food production. The Commission conducted a compliance assessment and the guarantees provided by these countries, and this assessment formed the basis of the list voted on by the member states.

According to EU rules, the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry for growth promotion or yield is not permitted. Additionally, animals cannot be treated with antimicrobials reserved for human infections.

The list of third countries that meet EU requirements and can export animals intended for food production to the European market is set to be formally adopted in the coming days. The rules regarding imports will apply from September 3, 2026.

The measure extends the European requirements regarding the prudent use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry to imports. In practice, access to the EU market for the targeted animals and products of animal origin will depend on compliance with European standards by exporting countries.

The Commission presents the update of the list as part of the European response to antimicrobial resistance, described as one of the greatest threats to public health. The European executive supports that the prudent use of antimicrobials in animals contributes to protecting the health of EU citizens.

The decision concerns not only food safety but also the conditions of access to the single market for producers from third countries. Countries wishing to export to the EU must provide guarantees that the rules regarding antimicrobials are respected, including regarding prohibitions related to animal husbandry and the use of substances reserved for human medicine.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites no longer respond to the medications used against them. Excessive or inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine can contribute to increasing this risk.

The European Union has introduced strict rules regarding the use of antimicrobials in animals intended for food production, including the prohibition of their use for growth promotion or yield and the protection of antimicrobials reserved for treating human infections.

The update of the list of third countries authorized to export animals and products of animal origin to the EU aims to apply these requirements also in the case of imports. The rules will start to apply from September 3, 2026, after the formal adoption of the list.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/news-articles/uniunea-europeana-actualizeaza-lista-tarilor-autorizate-sa-exporte-animale-si-produse-de-origine-animala-pe-piata-europeana