British pet specialty retailer Pets at Home plans to stockpile up to GBP8 million of pet food as a bulwark against effects of a potential hard Brexit, reported MSN. Last year, the retailer’s chief executive officer, Peter Prichard, said that the company had started importing more pet products in preparation for Brexit. Pets at Home imports 17 percent of the items they sell, he said. Besides Brexit, Prichard said that Pets at Home’s revenue grew 6.3 percent to GBP237.2 million in the 12-week period leading up to January 3.
PFMA discusses Brexit’s impact on UK pet food market
In November 2017, the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) released a Brexit Manifesto after investigating the effects of Brexit on the UK pet food market. PFMA is a trade body representing the UK pet food industry with more than 70 member companies, which accounts for over 90 percent of the UK market, according to the organization.
In the manifesto to all UK political 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.
“Our members manufacture a wide range of products for pets of all types and range from major multinationals with manufacturing sites worldwide to small companies operating only in the UK,” said Peter Kersh, chairman of PFMA, in a press release. “90 percent of them are SMEs, many of which trade outside the UK, primarily within the EU single market. Our members are dedicated to providing the best quality pet foods made to high welfare standards and wish to continue to do so, no matter what the outcome of the current negotiations and future trading arrangements with the EU.”
PFMA points to the impact of uncertainty and the need for clear forward planning, reminding politicians of its five priority areas laid down in the PFMA Brexit manifesto:
- Safety standards, animal health and welfare
- Sustainability of supplies
- Legislation
- Future trade
- Workforce
In the Manifesto, PFMA goes on to remind politicians that 44 percent of UK households have at least one pet. Many UK nationals resident in the EU also have pets and are concerned about their pets’ future rights of movement within the EU as well as that of their human family members.
“The contribution of pet food manufacture to the UK goes beyond economics and trade; pets are an integral part of many UK households and play an important role in the wellbeing of many individuals and families,” said Kersh. “We urge you to consider these issues as Parliament resumes and the negotiations with the EU on the UK’s future relationship with our nearest neighbors’ progress.”
