Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, in a written answer on 24 July 2026, pushed back against concerns over Brazilian poultry imports following media reports of Salmonella contamination, stating that Greece has not filed any official alerts through the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) in 2026. The answer, responding to a question by ECR MEP Waldemar Buda, signals the Commission's reluctance to suspend the pre-listing system for Brazilian poultry establishments reinstated in 2025, despite past scandals.
Buda had asked whether the Commission would revoke the pre-listing system after Greek media reported Salmonella in 80% of Brazilian frozen poultry batches under the new Mercosur quota. He referenced the 2017 'Carne Fraca' scandal involving falsified health certificates and corrupt inspectors, which had led to the earlier suspension of the pre-listing system. The Commission reinstated it in 2025 after negotiations with Brazil.
microbiological criteria under Regulation (EC) 2073/2005, border controls by Member States, and the RASFF notification system. He noted that if specific risks are identified, the Commission can adopt intensified controls or import restrictions under Regulation (EU) 2017/625. However, he emphasised that no RASFF notifications from Greece have been received, and the Commission is in contact with Greek authorities to clarify the media reports.
The answer contains no concrete proposals to suspend the pre-listing system or launch investigations, instead reaffirming the existing legal framework. This suggests the Commission prioritises trade liberalisation with Mercosur over immediate regulatory tightening, despite consumer safety concerns raised by the MEP. The policy orientation leans towards maintaining open agri-food imports while relying on Member State enforcement and post-market surveillance.
Institutional follow-up is likely limited to informal exchanges with Greek authorities unless official RASFF notifications emerge. The Commission's stance may face scrutiny in the European Parliament's ENVI or AGRI committees, where MEPs could push for stricter controls or a temporary suspension of the pre-listing system. For now, the ball remains in Greece's court to provide official data.