The European Pet Organization (EPO) attended the 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20), represented by Dr. Matthew Bond (OATA, UK). Initial insights point to encouraging outcomes on captive breeding and stony corals, underlining the importance of strong coordination across the pet trade sector. At the same time, ideological divisions within CITES persist, with marine ornamental species … Read more
The European Pet Organization (EPO) as the voice of the pet sector at European level welcomes the Council’s endorsement, announced today, of the provisional agreement establishing the first EU-wide standards for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. This milestone marks a decisive step toward stronger consumer protection, enhanced animal welfare, and the effective fight … Read more
The European Pet Organization (EPO) successfully held its first Members Seminar in Brussels on October 21st, 2025. The seminar aimed to strengthen members’ understanding of the EU decision-making process and provide insights into key policy topics currently high on the European agenda. The event was structured in two parts: This first Members Seminar marks an important milestone in EPO’s commitment to ensuring that its … Read more
The European Pet Organization (EPO) is proud to announce its participation as a new member of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare, which met on October 16–17, 2025. Under the Platform’s new 2025–2030 mandate, EPO will represent the voice of the European pet sector, contributing expertise to support responsible pet keeping, improved welfare standards, and collaborative policymaking across the EU. Established by the … Read more
In the scope of the EU preparation for the CITES CoP20, the European Pet Organization (EPO) through its President, Svein A. Fosså contributed on September 25th, 2025 to the discussion held at the European Parliament by the MEP Group on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development with its event “On the way to CITES CoP20: … Read more
SAVE THE DATE of the next MEP Group on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’ event dedicated to the CITES CoP20 preparation: September 25th, 2025. Among the speakers, European Pet Organization (EPO) will be represented by our President, Svein A. Fosså. Interested to join, you can register for🔗 In-person attendance at: https://lnkd.in/eexyYJQw🔗 Online attendance at: https://lnkd.in/evP-fajW
Within the scope of CIPS (i.e. China International Pet Show), the CIPS Innovation Award has been created in 2017 to set a new benchmark for the industry and help enterprises comprehensively enhance their brand image. For this year edition (2025) EPO President, Svein A. Fosså, will be one of the judges for the Supplies and … Read more
Whilst acknowledging the importance of the EU proposal for a regulation on the welfare of dogs & cats & their traceability, EPO raises its concerns regarding the handling with regards to pet stores following the adoption by the European Parliament on June 19th, 2025 of its amendments. As the voice of the pet sector at EU … Read more
On May 6th, 2025 EPO held its annual General Assembly at the Zoomark edition 2025 (Bologna, Italy). While reviewing and discussing EPO workplan and activities, EPO members renewed two positions of its Board. Andreas Popper (WKO, Austria) and Frédéric Amblard (PRODAF, France) have been elected as Vice Presidents. The EPO Board is now composed of … Read more
EPO issued a statement to raise its sector concern on the handling of the EU proposal for new rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs & cats – following the adoption of its opinion by the European Parliament ENVI Committee on April 8th, 2025. EPO is now calling the members of the EP AGRI … Read more
