The Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations met with Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, director-general of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), in Paris on February 25 to discuss the role of complete and balanced pet nutrition in supporting animal health and welfare. Representatives from the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) also participated in the meeting.
Participants highlighted the role of complete and balanced nutrition as a preventive component of companion animal health, noting that science-based nutritional standards help ensure dogs and cats receive essential nutrients throughout their lives.
"The meeting with Dr. Soubeyran and her team was an important step in strengthening dialogue on the role of pet nutrition in animal health and welfare," said Loretta Hunter, president of GAPFA. "Science-based, complete and balanced pet nutrition is a fundamental tool to support companion animal health. We look forward to working with WOAH to ensure nutrition is recognized as part of the broader One Health conversations."
GAPFA raised awareness of globally recognized, science-based nutritional standards for pets, including those developed by AAFCO and FEDIAF, as part of preventive companion animal health. The alliance also highlighted its capacity-building and training work on pet food nutrition guidelines and standards.
GAPFA said it plans to continue engagement with WOAH at the WOAH Annual General Session and Animal Health Forum in May 2026. GAPFA and WOAH have operated under a Memorandum of Understanding since 2017. GAPFA also continues to work with the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (TAHSC) to support the assessment and recognition of processed pet food as a safe commodity under the WOAH Terrestrial Code.
New affiliate members
GAPFA also announced that BHJ and agro Food Solution GmbH were approved as new affiliate members by the GAPFA General Assembly.
BHJ is a global supplier of animal proteins for the food and pet food industries, providing functional ingredients derived from animal raw materials.
agro Food Solution GmbH, a subsidiary of the Herbstreith & Fox Group, produces functional apple fibers, apple pectins and apple extracts for pet and livestock products.
"Welcoming BHJ and agro Food Solution as affiliate members further strengthens the expertise within GAPFA's global community," Hunter said. "Their knowledge and innovation will support our collective efforts to advance GAPFA's vision to improve the health and wellbeing of pets globally through access to safe, nutritious and sustainable pet food."
Dr. Billie L. Johnson, vice president of food safety, quality and regulatory at BHJ North America, said the company looks forward to contributing its expertise in food safety, quality and regulatory science. "Collaboration across the global pet food sector is essential to ensuring safe, nutritious and sustainable products for pets worldwide," Johnson said.
David Gebhardt-Mencke, head of innovation and business development at the H&F Group, said agro Food Solution looks forward to supporting innovation in pet nutrition. "We are pleased that agro Food Solution has been welcomed into the GAPFA community," he said. "Through our expertise in functional apple-based ingredients, we look forward to supporting innovation in pet nutrition and contributing to GAPFA's science-based approach to advancing pet health and wellbeing globally."
Affiliate members do not hold voting rights or board representation. Organizations interested in applying for affiliate membership may contact the GAPFA Secretariat at [email protected].
