The Irish Farmers’ Association has said the European Union ban on Brazilian beef and other animal products should reassure consumers that standards are being upheld.

Earlier this week, the European Commission announced that it would suspend such imports from today, pending assurances from Brazil that it is complying with the bloc’s animal health rules.

The commission said Brazil has failed to provide sufficient guarantees that its exports meet EU standards aimed at preventing the misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming.

This will affect commodities like poultry, meat, eggs, honey and casing. Brussels has declined to provide a timeline for when imports might resume.

IFA President Francie Gorman has described the move as a “very significant decision”.

He said the ban on Brazilian beef entering the EU will provide real opportunities for Irish beef over the coming months to fill the gap.

“Irish meat processors must take full advantage and move to ensure this is returned in higher beef prices as we face into the back end of the year, and over the next two to three years.”

In May, Brazil was put on an EU list of countries that do not keep to rules on the use of antibiotics in animals.

An audit of Brazil’s poultry and honey sectors is due to conclude tomorrow. If the findings are positive and EU member states give approval, Brazilian poultry exports to the bloc could resume within weeks.

Beef imports may take longer.

Mr Gorman said the focus now should be on public health and the stocks of Brazilian beef that are in stores across the EU which should be destroyed.

“We understand that there has been a degree of stockpiling of Brazilian beef within the EU before this ban came into effect.

“If meat from Brazil is to meet EU standards there will have to be fundamental changes to their production systems and infrastructure to support this.” he said.