Renew MEP Ciaran Mullooly has pressed the European Commission to confirm reports that approximately 80% of the first shipment of frozen chicken from Brazil to Greece under the EU-Mercosur trade agreement was contaminated with salmonella. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 11 May 2026, Mullooly warned that the allegations are causing significant public concern in Ireland, with constituents worried about food safety standards for imports entering the EU market.
The question, filed under Rule 144, asks the Commission whether the reports are accurate, whether Greek authorities or EU food safety bodies have formally notified the Commission of any contamination, and whether any contaminated products were distributed onward within the single market, including to Ireland. Mullooly stressed that Irish consumers and agricultural producers expect the highest food safety standards to be upheld across all imports.
Policy orientation and impact Mullooly's question signals a push for stricter enforcement of EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards on imports from Mercosur countries, reflecting tensions between trade liberalisation and consumer protection. If confirmed, the contamination could strengthen calls for tougher border checks or renegotiation of food safety provisions in the EU-Mercosur agreement. The question directly affects Brazilian poultry exporters, who may face reputational damage and stricter controls; EU consumers, who seek reassurance on food safety; Irish poultry farmers, who compete with cheaper imports; and EU food safety authorities, who would need to verify compliance.
Expected follow-up The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views the incident as an isolated case or a systemic issue, and whether it plans to adjust import controls or notify member states. The reply will be closely watched by stakeholders in the agri-food sector and by MEPs monitoring the implementation of the Mercosur trade deal.
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