Speaking at a parliamentary hearing on food safety, Salla said Albania had implemented from September 3 the latest European requirements concerning the listing of Brazilian beef and poultry products.

“Under the new listing requirements, imports of these categories are not allowed. Control points and importing companies have been notified,” Salla said, adding that implementation must be uniform, documented and accompanied by the required checks on each shipment.

Under Albania’s monitoring plan for residues in animal products imported from non-EU countries, 44 samples were taken in 2026, including 30 from Brazil – 22 poultry samples and eight pork samples, he said.

Veterinary substance residues were detected in two Brazilian poultry shipments between January and August. In one case, the shipment was blocked and isolated in the importer’s cold-storage facilities and had not entered the market, Salla said.

The relevant RASFF and INFOSAN systems were notified and the product was returned to Brazil, he said.

Agriculture Minister added that Albania had also communicated with Brazilian authorities over a review of trade arrangements concerning pork.

He said food safety should be treated as a public-health and consumer-protection issue covering the entire food chain, from farms and border controls to distribution and the market.

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