EPO had the great honor to attend as sponsor the International Pet Conference 2024 that took place in Brussels on October 16th and 17th, 2024. On top of listening and exchanging with great speakers on innovation and sustainability within the pet sector, the conference provided a unique networking opportunity with key players of the pet sector.A special thanks to the team at Pet Worldwide for organizing this unique edition.‍‍‍

As member of its Advisory Board, EPO joined on October 2nd, 2024 the 30th anniversary of the EP Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’ (CCBSD)As one of the longest standing and most active Intergroups, the EP Intergroup on CCBSD is a platform recognized by the EP, connecting MEPs, EU institutions, stakeholders, experts and civil society for over 30 years.As we enter a new legislative term, EPO looks forward to its relaunch. The EP Intergroup is dedicated to foster open dialogue and exchange of views on key legislative developments, gearing up to shape balanced science-based policies, that incorporate socio-economic considerations into the environmental sustainability and climate discourse. Upon its re-establishment in December, it will eagerly work to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration, foster impactful partnerships, promote well-informed policy-making, and encourage innovation for a sustainable future.The 30th anniversary event was also an opportunity for the EP Intergroup to present its new co-chairs for this new EU term with MEP André Rodrigues (S&D),MEP Elsi Katainen (Renew) and MEP Dimitris Tsiodras (EPP). Together, the co-chairs called on Members of the European Parliament to actively support the Intergroup's re-establishment by joining as members and voting its favour during the relevant votes later in November 2024. ‍

Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf (IVH) e.V., the German National Association representing the German pet food and pet supplies industry is a new member of the European Pet Organisation (EPO) as of January 1st, 2024.„We realize that an increasing number of issues which have a direct impact on our industry in Germany are not only discussed but also decided on a European level. In recent years, EPO has succeeded in developing a powerful voice in Brussels due to its universally recognized expertise and unwavering committment. With our membership, we want to supoort the EPO on this successful path – especially on topics that are likewise important for industry and trade“, says IVH President Georg Müller, explaining the association’s motives for joining EPO as member.The Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf (IVH) e.V. was founded in 1972 and operates from Düsseldorf. Its almost 60 member companies represent around 90 per cent of the German market for pet food and pet supplies, with a turnover of around 6.5 billion euros in 2022.The key tasks of IVH include the promotion of responsible pet ownership through broadly diversified public relations work, active participation in constructing the future environment for the pet food and pet supplies industry through dialogue with politics, administration and science, as well as informing and advising members on industry-relevant legislation and other topics. ‍