Government
Government policy plays a critical role in shaping the regulatory and commercial environment for the UK pet industry. Under this tag, Pet Gazette covers legislation, consultations, and regulatory updates affecting pet retailers, wholesalers, and distributors — from pet food labelling and animal welfare standards to licensing rules, trade regulations, and business rates. We also report on government-backed initiatives, support schemes, and local authority actions that influence retail operations or supply chain logistics. This tag keeps industry professionals informed about political and regulatory developments with direct implications for commercial petcare businesses.
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May- 2020 -18 MayCoronavirus
Government pledges support to Covid-19 detection dogs trial
The government has pledged a specialist team of researchers over £500,000 to support research into whether bio-detection dogs could be used to detect coronavirus in humans. Plans to begin intensively training six dogs in the hopes that they could detect the virus was first announced by Medical Detection Dogs in…
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18 MayFeatures
Covid-19 diary: A month of madness at Charley Chau
You know things are serious when headline sponsors instruct their staff not to attend the world’s biggest dog show. It’s the week after Crufts, sales are a bit flat – unusual – sales usually spike after Crufts. We’ve had a great start to the year so we’re not worried. Monday,…
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13 MayVeterinary
BVA and RCVS respond to government easing lockdown restrictions
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have responded to the latest plan from the government on easing lockdown restrictions in England, explaining that veterinary practices are “still not operating business as usual”. The statement said veterinary professionals have been working throughout the lockdown,…
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12 MayCoronavirus
Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has extended the Government’s furlough scheme until the end of October. Announcing the decision in the house of commons today (12 May) Sunak revealed that “no changes whatsoever” will be made to the current scheme until the end of July. However he noted that…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Furlough errors could cost small firms
SMEs are making errors on their applications for the Government’s furlough scheme, meaning they will have to repay thousands of pounds back to HMRC later, accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young has said. The firm explained it has seen many small business applications for the furlough grant that includes the cost…
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1 MayCoronavirus
Revaluation of business rates postponed following pressure from Bira
A government plan to bring forward the next revaluation of business rates to April 1, 2021, has been shelved following pressure from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Bira joined other heads of the retail sector in demanding that Chancellor Rishi Sunak withdraw ‘disastrous’ legislation, which was due to be…
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Apr- 2020 -29 AprilCoronavirus
Burns Pet Nutrition donates pet food to Hope Rescue amid Covid-19 crisis
Kidwell-based pet food company Burns Pet Nutrition has announced it has donated thousands of pounds worth of pet food to South Wales charity, Hope Rescue. The pet food company, which specialises in producing high quality dog food made up of all-natural ingredients, is providing the centre with three-months’ worth of…
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28 AprilCoronavirus
Bira welcomes 100% government-backed loans for small businesses
The British Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed a new government scheme to offer 100% taxpayer-backed loans for the UK’s small businesses. Yesterday (27 April), Rishi Sunak announced the scheme would start next week offering firms loans of up to £50,000 within days of applying. To access the loans, which are…
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24 AprilCoronavirus
Government introduces new measures to protect high street
The business secretary has announced a new set of measures that will be introduced to protect high street businesses “under strain” from the ongoing pandemic. High street shops, and other companies facing financial difficulties, will now be protected from “aggressive” rent collection and asked to pay what they can as…
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23 AprilCoronavirus
Government launches coronavirus business financial support tool
The Government has released a new ‘support finder’ tool which aims to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. The tool allows businesses to “quickly and easily” determine what financial support is available to them during the Coronavirus pandemic. Business owners are required to complete…
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