EPO Seminar at Interzoo 2026: Bringing Together the Pet Community to Discuss Key Issues Shaping the Future of the Sector
On May 14th, 2026, EPO held its traditional Seminar at Interzoo in Nuremberg, bringing together EPO members, partners and friends from across Europe and beyond for an afternoon of exchange, discussion and networking. As every Interzoo edition demonstrates, the EPO Seminar remains a valuable opportunity for the pet community to meet face-to-face, strengthen relationships and discuss the key policy, scientific and regulatory developments affecting the sector.
The 2026 seminar featured a diverse programme covering several topics of major relevance to the pet sector. Participants received an overview of the newly adopted EU Regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats from Andrea Gavinelli, Head of Unit for Animal Welfare at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), providing timely insights into one of the most significant legislative developments affecting companion animals in Europe.
The seminar also explored important scientific and husbandry-related topics. Dr. Tracey King, EPO Scientific Coordinator, presented on the relationship between domestication, adaptation and the need to avoid extreme traits in companion animals- as an outcome of the EPO Working Group on Domestication and Extreme Breeding, while Charles Thompson of the Reptile & Exotic Pet Trade Association (REPTA) discussed the management of deleterious genes in modern herpetoculture. These presentations generated lively discussions among participants and highlighted the sector’s commitment to responsible animal keeping and continuous improvement in animal welfare practices.
As in previous years, one of the greatest strengths of the EPO Seminar was the opportunity it provided for open dialogue among stakeholders from different backgrounds and countries. Through the roundtable discussions and exchanges with speakers, participants were able to share experiences, discuss common challenges and explore solutions to issues affecting the pet sector at both European and international levels.
EPO would like to thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and looks forward to continuing this tradition at future Interzoo events, ensuring that the seminar remains an important platform for dialogue, cooperation and knowledge-sharing within the global pet community.
