The Ethical Pet Industry Confederation, highlighted in last week's Pet Trade Xtra, is urging pet businesses to take part in its consultation on pet welfare and ethics.

The recently launched EPIC is inviting pet firms and organisations to complete an initial consultation survey which will help to form a strategy for the future.

The form can be found on EPIC's website at http://www.ethicalpettrade.co.uk/Contact-support-for-ethical-pet-businesses

EPIC says: "The aim of this consultation exercise is to engage with the pet industry on the specific topics of animal welfare and ethics. 

"Responses will be treated in the strictest confidence and anonymised.

"The resulting report will be made available to all who take part, free of charge.

"The views and observations expressed through the process will begin to form the basis of an 'ethical pathway', which we believe will provide the pet industry here in the UK with a ground-breaking business model and approach – one, that once widely adopted, will demonstrate high standards in animal welfare and strong ethical foundations."

EPIC, launched by Philippa Robinson, is aimed at developing commercial practices that are first and foremost built on high animal welfare standards and strong ethics.

Philippa has been involved in family businesses and retailing since the age of 19. Her work as a business advisor and management consultant began in 1991, and since then she has guided and supported clients, from small start-ups to international conglomerates on building better businesses and leadership programmes. More recently she worked for the government’s Business Link network and brings the world class business diagnostic skills learnt there to EPIC.

She feels strongly that the world of commerce can, and will, make a lasting positive difference to animal welfare, and she is designing processes and tools to demonstrate that to be the case.