The Pet Industry Federation has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement this week of progress towards a new UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which aims to reduce barriers and costs for businesses trading animal and plant products with the European Union.

Many products produced by UK pet businesses, including pet food, treats and supplements, fall within agri-food and animal by-product regulations. 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 agreement, currently under negotiation, is expected to simplify processes and reduce some of the administrative burdens associated with moving these products between the UK and EU.

The Pet Industry Federation has written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to open a dialogue on the proposed changes and to ensure the views of UK pet businesses are represented as discussions progress.

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, 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.

Supporting international growth is a key focus for the organisation. PIF is currently developing additional export support for members and will be hosting an export seminar for members on Wednesday 15 April in London, designed to help businesses better understand international markets, regulatory requirements and practical steps to becoming export ready. 

Pet businesses interested in exploring export opportunities are encouraged to contact PIF for further information and guidance.

Nigel added: "There is significant potential for UK pet brands to expand internationally. We are keen to work with government and industry partners to ensure our sector is well positioned to take advantage of future export opportunities."