The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), a trade body representing the UK pets food industry, has published new sector guidelines for the manufacture of commercial raw pet food in the UK. The guidelines, which promote best practice in the sector, have been developed in conjunction with Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Public Health England (PHE) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The guidelines aim to:

• Improve safety, hygiene and nutrition of raw pet food made in the UK
• Summarize sector-specific regulatory requirements
• Describe recommendations to achieve ‘best practice’ in raw pet food production
• Liaise with regulators and enforcement bodies to combine expertise and develop recommendations to maintain and raise standards

“With the growing interest in raw pet food, and more companies producing commercial raw pet foods, the guidelines are very timely,” said Michael Bellingham, PFMA chief executive, in a press release. “There are currently eighty-one producers of commercial raw diets registered with Defra, and nine of these are members of the PFMA so there is also the opportunity for us to grow our dedicated sector group”.

PFMA raw pet food producer members include Benyfit Natural, Cotswold Raw, Durham Animal Feeds and others.

Other PFMA publications for UK pet food producers

PFMA also recently released a Brexit Manifesto after investigating the effects of Brexit on the UK pet food market.

The Manifesto is PFMA’s way of writing to UK political leaders on behalf of the UK’s 54 million pets. In this open letter to all party leaders, PFMA appeals to politicians to facilitate their task of operating successful UK pet food manufacturing business amid the economic and political uncertainties that are currently challenging the industry.