Rukiqi seeks clarification on imports of Brazilian products: Why does Kosovo not act like the EU?

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) member Berat Rukiqi has called on Kosovo’s institutions to clarify the checks carried out on animal-origin products imported from Brazil.

In a post, Rukiqi recalled that, as of September 3, 2026, the European Union had temporarily banned imports of certain Brazilian animal-origin products, including beef and chicken. According to him, the decision is linked to European standards on the use and monitoring of antimicrobials in the production of animal products.

“As of September 3, 2026, the European Union has suspended imports of certain animal-origin products from Brazil, including beef and chicken, due to European requirements related to the use and control of antimicrobials in animal production,” Rukiqi wrote.

Referring to this decision, he asked why Kosovo does not apply similar measures when an imported product fails to meet food safety criteria.

“If the EU imposes restrictions on Brazilian products because of food safety standards, why do we not act the same way? Whose interests are being protected? Why all the fuss over milk, and now silence and inaction?” Rukiqi said.

Rukiqi also drew attention to a case reported by Montenegrin authorities. According to the report, three containers of beef from Brazil destined for Kosovo had passed their expiry date.

He said Montenegrin authorities had announced that, at the Port of Bar, the original declarations had been removed and replaced with new labels bearing a different expiry date.

“Montenegro informed us that three containers of beef from Brazil, destined for Kosovo, had expired. Moreover, according to Montenegrin authorities, the original declarations had been removed at the Port of Bar and new labels with a new expiry date had been placed,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, the LDK member called for information on how many such shipments may have entered Kosovo and how many of them had undergone the relevant inspections.

“Who should give us an answer? How many such shipments have entered Kosovo? How many of them have been inspected? How many veterinary and food safety inspections have been carried out? Were the origin, expiry date and declaration of the goods checked?” Rukiqi asked.