Spotlight on the UK pet food policy environment

Expectations are that the UK pet industry will have to cope with some major industry regulations this coming year. Environmental policies, especially, will be the center of attention.

Whilst we are navigating inflation, cost of living, energy prices, ingredients availability, climate change and sustainability issues, the industry is thinking ahead to ensure that safe, sustainable, nutritious and affordable feed remains available for all pets in the UK.

Retained EU law

To prevent holes in its legal framework following Brexit, EU law was transposed into UK legislation. These laws are set to expire on 31 December 2023. A priority for the UK pet food industry is therefore now to ensure any legislation critical to pet food safety is upheld. Much of the retained EU law is key for business in the domestic market, as well as to allow the UK to continue to export to the largest market on its doorstep.

Trade policy

The UK is a proud champion of some of the highest feed safety and animal welfare standards in the world. As the industry continues to negotiate trade deals, it is essential such standards are upheld. Reason why the UK government must stop undermining these standards by doing deals that allow imports produced with lower standards.

Farm policy

Food security is set to be a top priority this year. The UK needs an agriculture system that produces enough raw materials for its needs – around 0.5 million tons of cereals and the same volume of animal by-products – in a sustainable and high-welfare manner.

UK Pet Food is looking to the government to flesh out the Environmental Land Management Scheme. A recent development includes the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme where farmers can receive additional funds for sustainable, climate-friendly farming. Such developments are key to helping the government achieve its newly established statutory environmental targets.

The UK needs a healthy, resilient food system that also recognizes the pet food industry for the role it plays in the agri-food supply chain.

Extended Producer Regulations

The aim of the Extended Producer Regulations is for producers to pay the full costs of managing and recycling the packaging waste they produce. This will help to drive further circularity of packaging by reducing unnecessary and difficult-to-recycle packaging.

UK Pet Food fully supports the aim to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. There are efficient and cost-effective ways to do this. Reason why the organization calls on the government to implement a new system that will be cost-efficient and drive whole system change, including an overhaul to the recycling infrastructure and addressing how councils manage waste collections.