EPO - Annual general meeting, in the Interzoo Daily, Issue 3
Published on
27/11/18
Latest news
EPO welcomes BolognaFiere Cosmoprof as associate member
On May 6th, 2025 EPO welcomes a new associate member with BolognaFiere Cosmoprof (Italy) , organiser of Zoomark. This important step further strengthens Zoomark’s institutional role and confirms its commitment to supporting responsible pet ownership and encouraging dialogue throughout the supply chain — from the international business community to pet-owning families. As a leading platform for industry professionals, with over 1,300 exhibitors and 30,000 professional visitors from all over the world expected at its 2025 edition, Zoomark becomes an even more strategic player in promoting growth, sustainability, and innovation in the pet sector. “Our membership in EPO represents a significant step forward in Zoomark’s growth and mission,” says Enrico Zannini, General Director of BolognaFiere Cosmoprof. “We are proud to support the values of responsibility, transparency, and cooperation that EPO stands for, and we’re convinced that this partnership will offer new opportunities for sharing expertise, addressing key regulatory developments, and strengthening the voice of the pet sector in Europe.”
07/05/25
EPO at the kick-off event of the MEP Group on CCBSD
On April 23rd, 2025 the MEP Group on 'Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development' (i.e. Former EP Intergroup on CCBSD) launched its five years term with its kick off event on "Competitiveness & the future of the European Green Deal".As member of its advisory board, European Pet Organization (EPO) emphasized the importance of such a platform setting as its core SCIENCE BASED EVIDENCES and a MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH when tackling the EU agenda.While EPO activities promote and safeguard the pet sector, it reminded about the importance of ensuring that both sustainability & competitiveness remain multidimensional – and synergies are created in between sustainability & competitiveness.Example has been given with the current EP handling of two files of interest for the pet sector, respectively with the EU proposal for new rules on the welfare & traceability of dogs & cats, and the EU proposal for updated rules on live animal transport.A special thanks to European Bureau for Conservation and Development and its team for organizing this event, and all speakers for the fruitful discussion.MEP Dimitrios Tsiodras MEP Nicolás González Casares MEP Elsi Katainen Clare Colleran Molloy Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea 🇪🇺 Stefano Soro Vadim Kononenko Oliver Loebel Marco Eikelenboom Melanie Muro
07/05/25
EPO at the ZZF Forum 2025
Photo Copyright: ZZF/Peter Nierhoff On April 1st and 2nd, 2025, EPO Secretary General, Nathalie Gamain, attended the ZZF Forum 2025 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Interviewed by Antje Schreiber, ZZF Head of Division Communication & Management of the ZZA Magazine, Nathalie shared with the audience the latest challenges the pet sector faces at EU level, while sharing some insights on the EU arena functioning.ZZF President, Norbert Holthenrich, and ZZF Managing Director, Gordon Bonnet, surprised the Secretary General by celebrating EPO 35th anniversary. "If EPO didn't exist, it would have to be founded! 35 years ago, ZZF, the German Pet Trade & Industry Association, was a founding member of EPO and has played a key role in shaping its fortunes. EPO is the ideal platform for the intensive exchange of ideas and the representation of interests for all matters concerning the pet industry in Europe" said Gordon Bonnet in his intervention while wishing EPO "all the best for the 35th anniversary and thanking EPO for its great work!” Photo Copyright: ZZF/Peter Nierhoff
17/04/25
Happy 35th Anniversary to EPO!
On April 1st, 2025 EPO celebrates a unique milestone: its 35 years anniversary! “Pets are an essential part of modern people’s life. Across Europe, more than 166 million households keep some kind of pets, be it dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish or invertebrates. The diversity is immense, and it has to be so, in order to make sure that everyone can find an animal that suits them, their interests, their competences and their way of life. Diversity is key in the world of pet keeping.Over the last 35 years, the European Pet Organization has worked together with our members to represent the pet sector and support and defend this diversity within the frames of responsible, regulated and sustainable pet keeping and trade. EPO is present in discussions with the European Parliament, Council and Commission, with representatives of EU Member States, and in international negotiations, to make the knowledge, experience and views of the sector heard and taken into account whenever decisions that can affect us are on the table.I will take this opportunity to thank everyone who have played a part in EPO’s activities over the years, on either side of the tables. We look forward to many more years of being a proactive and responsible voice for and defender of pets in our society”,Svein A. Fosså, President of the European Pet Organization (EPO) Discover here EPO members testimonies marking this special day!
01/04/25