A major new study has put Argentinian beef in the firing line when it comes to EU market access.

A paper published by a leading group of veterinary researchers this month in Antibiotics, an international peer-reviewed journal, has raised serious questions about the country’s animal health regulations.

The study involved looking at antibiotic residues in soils from 27 different feedlots from different regions in Argentina.

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Compounds absent from farm treatment records were detected in over 40% of feedlots.

The compounds found included important antibiotics like cefquinome, an antibiotic critical for human health and only available for use under specific circumstances in Ireland.

The journal authors cited incomplete records and off-label use as being possible reasons for the detection of undocumented antibiotic use.

Monensin, an antibiotic used on a widespread basis in South America as an in-feed animal growth promoter, was detected on all feedlots. Monensin was banned for use in the EU in 2006.

Researchers found gaps in the stewardship of antibiotics and said improved antibiotic traceability was needed on Argentinian farms.

Argentina is home to 50 million cattle, with feedlots ranging in size from 1,000-90,000 head.

EU beef imports from Argentina were up 6.7% in the period Jan-May 2026 and have accounted for about 18% of EU beef imports over the last five years.

There was 80,000 tonne of Argentinian beef imported into Europe in 2025.

Antibiotic usage

IFA president Francie Gorman said: “Building on our joint investigation on antibiotic usage on beef farms in Brazil with the Irish Farmers Journal, we have continued the campaign assessing the situation in other Mercosur countries.

“Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon recently addressed the FAO in Rome, outlining the importance of action under One Health to combat antimicrobial resistance, saying history will judge the success of the conference on actions a year from now.

“The Minister and his EU colleagues have the opportunity to take a bold step in the fight against AMR and extend the Brazilian beef ban to all countries that fall short of EU standards and this must now include beef from Argentina.”