Brazil’s pet industry faces regulatory and trade challenges

The Brazilian Sectoral Chamber for the Pet Industry Value Chain, a forum coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, has recently discussed regulations impacting the pet industry. The department assists with proposing, supporting and monitoring initiatives for the development of supply chains.

Contraceptive drugs for pets

One of the topics discussed was the Chamber’s position regarding the regulation of the sale of progestin-based veterinary drugs for female dogs and cats – medicines used to control the reproductive cycles of female domestic animals.

The subject has been under discussion by the Chamber since late 2024. During an October meeting, a member stated that “an internal discussion took place within the Veterinary Products Oversight Coordination unit” resulting in a favorable opinion regarding more effective control of these medications.

Additionally, the Brazilian Association of Aquarium Stores has said it is working with public regulators to establish guidelines outlining the rights and obligations of airlines and commercial enterprises regarding the transport of ornamental aquatic creatures.

Regulation of exotic birds

The group is also working on drafting a bird-focused manual, in addition to monitoring bills “opposed to legal domestic ownership within the Chamber of Deputies”, according to meeting minutes.

Since 2021, the Chamber has been evaluating a bill that regulates the ownership of native, exotic and domestic birds in the home environment for ornamental or singing purposes, or as pets.

In September 2025, the window for amendments to the bill was reopened, and the project is currently under review by the Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development of the National Congress. The most recent update was on 25 August 2026, when the rapporteur issued guidance recommending the bill’s approval. A vote has not yet taken place.

Brazil-EU export imbroglio

More broadly, Brazil’s production sector is facing European Union restrictions on its animal products. Following the trade deal between the EU and Mercosur signed in May to facilitate trade relations between the two blocs, an EU committee voted to ban imports of Brazilian meat from 3 September due to the use of antimicrobials to stimulate animal growth.

In a ruling published on 4 June, the European Commission stated that it had not received information “guaranteeing that Brazil implemented the necessary measures to ensure that the requirements” regarding the non-use of these products in animals or animal-derived products, with the result that it was suspending imports of bovine, equine, poultry, aquaculture, honey and casings.

Despite the sanitary reasons, the ban also stems from concerns within the EU’s agricultural sector regarding the supply of meat from Mercosur countries, which could undermine local production.

In an effort to avert this setback, feed associations from both trading blocs, the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) and the Brazilian National Union of the Animal Feed Industry (Sindirações), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 August “to facilitate implementation of the EU-Mercosur agreement regarding trade of feed ingredients”.

“A key element of the MoU will be the exchange of regulatory developments and relevant expertise, helping both organizations to follow respective legislative initiatives in areas such as feed legislation, feed ingredient approvals, labeling requirements and maximum residue levels,” a press release says.

TRACES, the Commission’s online platform for the health certification required for imports of animal products, food and feed, lists 48 Brazilian pet food plants as authorized to export to the EU.