UK Pet Food members are responsible for providing safe and nutritious food for the nation’s 38 million pets. Around 60% of households have a pet and the industry is worth close to £4 billion.  

Michael Bellingham (pictured right), UK Pet Food Chief Executive, said: “Our industry is committed to the 16.2 million households with pets who are important family members.  We have a big responsibility, and our mission is to advance pet health and well-being with quality nutrition from a sustainable, progressive pet food industry. The success of our sector is one that many depend upon, and we need Government support. Our manifesto has been developed to succinctly detail our requirements to continue our excellent work.”

UK Pet Food details four priority areas in its manifesto, which must be taken on board by policy architects. Highlights include:   

1. Safe and Sustainable Pet Food 

The pet food industry requires safe, nutritious, and sustainably produced ingredients with a food system that recognises and values pet food.  UK Pet Food calls for their Industry’s critical role in the agricultural food chain and sustainability plans to be acknowledged.   

2. Trade with the EU and rest of the world 

We need to maintain regulatory alignment with the EU and call on the Government to support UK businesses in accessing new markets. UK Pet Food additionally details its need for a negotiated form of veterinary agreement to ease problems trading between GB, EU and NI. 

3. Pets and Animal Welfare

We need a society that treats pets with their best interests at heart, and a food system that places the welfare of farmed animals as the paramount goal. UK Pet Food calls on Government to progress the Kept Animals Bill, support farmers and include animal welfare on the curriculum.  

4. Pets in Society

We want to ensure a society that values the important role pets play in the improvement of health and mental wellbeing of people. We call for reduced barriers to pet ownership and also encourage dog friendly workplaces where possible. 

UK Pet Food unveiled its manifesto in Westminster at an event sponsored by Sir Roger Gale MP.

Sir Roger Gale said: “It was my pleasure to welcome fellow parliamentarians and guests to the UK Pet Food event. My support of animal welfare goes back a long way, and amongst other related roles, I have chaired the All-Party Parliamentary group for Animal Welfare. The research on the benefits of pets to people’s health and wellbeing is well documented and it is vital that we ensure a society that values the important role pets play. I’m pleased to see that this is at the heart of the UK Pet Food Manifesto which I am delighted to launch.”  

You can read more about the UK Pet Food manifesto here: https://www.ukpetfood.org/resource/uk-pet-foodmanifesto.html