The statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, according to which the price difference between chicken livers imported from Brazil and those produced in Romania would be linked to the use of growth hormones, was made during a televised appearance on Antena 3. The topic has brought back into discussion the standards applicable to agri-food products originating outside the European Union and their impact on the competitiveness of local producers.

In the European Union, the use of growth hormones in animal production intended for human consumption is prohibited under EU legislation. According to regulations established at the level of the European Commission, imported meat products may be marketed on the single market only if they comply with sanitary standards equivalent to those applied in Member States. Scientific assessments are supported by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and imports are subject to official controls at border inspection points.

In Romania, verifications are carried out by the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA), based on sanitary certificates and controls regarding residues and traceability. From a legal standpoint, products that legally enter the European Union market must fully comply with the existing EU regulatory framework.

Price differences between imported and domestic products may be explained by factors related to production costs, farm size, feed prices, and logistical efficiency. Brazil is one of the world’s largest exporters of poultry meat, and economies of scale can influence price levels. In this context, the debate remains focused on the uniform application of European standards and on maintaining fair competitive conditions for producers in Romania.