The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has welcomed a government announcement of progress towards a new agreement on trading animal and plant products with the European Union.
Pet food, treats and supplements fall within agri-food and animal by-product regulations and, as a result, exporters across the pet sector have faced increased paperwork, certification costs and delays when trading with EU markets in recent years.
The proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, currently under negotiation, aims to reduce barriers and costs for businesses by simplifying processes and reducing administrative burdens associated with moving such products between the UK and EU.
PIF has written to government department Defra to open a dialogue on the proposed changes and to ensure the views of UK pet businesses are represented as discussions progress.
PIF chief executive Nigel Baker said: “UK pet businesses produce innovative, high-quality products that are in demand around the world. In recent years, however, exporting to Europe has become more complex and costly for many companies in our sector. Measures that help simplify trade and reduce barriers will be welcomed by many businesses looking to grow their international presence.”
PIF will be inviting members to contribute to the government’s Call for Information on SPS implementation, helping to gather industry insight on the practical challenges businesses face when exporting. The federation will also host an export seminar for members in London on Wednesday April 15.
