The work of the European Pet Organization (EPO), in the Interzoo Daily Issue 2
Published on
27/11/18
Latest news
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
EPO President, Svein A. Fossa receives the Nancy G. Knutson Lifetime Achievement Award
“We’re proud to celebrate these inspiring leaders and organizations making invaluable contributions to the responsible pet care community,” said Mike Bober, President and CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network (PAN) “Their exceptional dedication has helped improve the lives of pets, their owners, and the businesses that serve them.” On March 25th, 2025, our President Svein A. Fosså received the Nancy G. Knutson Lifetime Achievement Award from Pet Advocacy Network. This award recognised Svein's global advocate for responsible pet ownership, who has worked in pet industry leadership for several decades, supporting international collaboration on pet trade policies. While receiving this award, Svein thanked the Pet Advocacy Network for the tremendous support, collaboration, and inspiration it has provided over the years, and shared this honour with his peers:" I feel obliged to share the honour that comes with this award with the members of the NZB. Without their continued trust in me making the right decisions and priorities in my efforts for our sector, it would have been difficult to be as active internationally as I have been for the last several years. I must also extend my gratitude to my colleagues in EPO, in OFI and in other associations I work with, and my many, many friends in the global pet trade and industry who never fail to assist me and inspire me to go on!I must admit, that the fact that I now have been presented with a “lifetime achievement award” feels a little definitive. But… even though I must realise that I have fewer years ahead of me than behind me, I choose to see the award foremost as an encouragement. I haven’t reached all my goals yet, and if health and funding permits, I promise to go on for still some years.After all, experience makes a lot of work all the more interesting. At times even fun!Thank you again for having now made my future work even more enjoyable! Thank you" Congratulations to our President for this well deserved recognition.
31/03/25
EPO at the 75th CITES Standing Committee meeting
Matthias Jesenko & Michael Kerschhackel from WKO, Austria attended on behalf of EPO the 78th CITES Standing Committee that took place in Geneva from February 3rd to 8th, 2025. Several agenda items of interest were discussed including: The role of cites in reducing future zoonotic disease emergence via the international wildlife trade, IPBES assessment on sustainable use of wild species Engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities Livelihoods Transaction codes Electronic systems and information technology Trade in stony corals Review of cites provisions related to trade in specimens of animals and plants not of wild source EPO position document can be viewed here.
22/02/25