FEDIAF appoints new president in board reshuffle

The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) has elected Greg Van Praagh as its new President.

Co-Founder of UK-based raw pet food maker Benyfit Natural and a Board Member of UK Pet Food, he succeeds Rosa Carbonell, who served as FEDIAF’s President since 2022.

“My focus will be on ensuring that our regulatory environment allows innovation to flourish, that we maintain the highest standards of safety and nutrition and that we continue to make the compelling case for the important role pets play in people’s lives,” Van Praagh says.

Industry experience

Van Praagh brings extensive experience in pet food manufacturing, trade association leadership and regulatory affairs. He previously served as Managing Director and Head of UK & Europe at Australian pet food manufacturer Real Pet Food Company (RPFC). 

The executive also served as Chairman of the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), now known as UK Pet Food, where he led its rebranding and modernization.

Board changes

Rosa Carbonell of Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe has been appointed Vice President of FEDIAF. Robin van den Bruinhorst, Managing Director of Dutch frozen pet food manufacturer Q-Petfood and representative of the Dutch association NVG, was also elected Vice President.

New board members include Christophe Carlier of Royal Canin, representing the French association FACCO, and Dr. Katrin Langner, Managing Director of IVH, the German Industry Association for Pet Supplies.

FEDIAF under Carbonell’s leadership

In its 2026 annual report, the Brussels-based trade body highlighted key achievements across its various working groups during the 2025-2026 period.

The Additives and Undesirable Substances Working Group coordinated tolerance studies for locust bean gum (LBG) in dogs and cats and supported the authorization of the food additives xanthan gum for dogs and acacia gum for cats and dogs.

On environmental sustainability, FEDIAF provided input and recommendations to the European Commission on the Product Environmental Footprint/Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEF/PEFCR) framework. The association also contributed to discussions of the Circular Economy Act and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

In addition, it continued to advocate for the recognition of Category 3 Animal By-Products (ABPs) as valuable co-products in EU bioeconomy and climate policy discussions.

The Nutrition Working Group launched the 2025 FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines and published updated fact sheets on grain-free pet diets and healthy weight management for cats and dogs.

Meanwhile, the Product Communication Working Group finalized the drafting of the Labelling Code Addendum on Organic Pet Food Labelling and PARNUTS (Foods or Feed for Particular Nutritional Uses).

The Small Pets Working Group also launched an expert group to draft the FEDIAF Fish Guidelines, marking the start of efforts to develop harmonized nutritional guidance for ornamental fish.