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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Jul- 2025 -22 JulyBusiness
Animal Focused Alliance secures Primary Authority partnership for Wales
The Animal Focused Alliance, a pet industry body, has formed a Primary Authority partnership with Monmouthshire County Council to improve regulatory consistency for pet businesses in Wales. The government-backed scheme allows organisations to receive expert advice from a designated local authority – in this case, Monmouthshire – on how to…
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Feb- 2025 -13 FebruaryTrade Organisations
PIF urges government action on pet business licensing data gaps
The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has formally raised concerns with Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DEFRA, regarding the lack of accurate and consistent animal licensing data across England. Following a detailed analysis of DEFRA licensing data, required by The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)…
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Nov- 2024 -15 NovemberEconomy
UK economy stagnates in three months to September
UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have stagnated during the third quarter of the year as uncertainty ahead of the budget affected decision making, according to the latest figures from the Office For National Statistics. The ONS found that UK GDP increased by 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July…
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Aug- 2024 -7 AugustEconomy
Retail sales jump 0.5% in July
UK Total retail sales increased by 0.5% year on year in July, against a growth of 1.5% in July 2023, amid improved performance from clothing as shoppers enjoyed the summer weather, according to the latest figures from the KPMG-BRC retail sales monitor. This was above the three-month average growth of…
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Jul- 2024 -17 JulyGovernment & Legislation
Starmer vows to ‘make work pay’ in King’s Speech
The new Labour government has outlined its main goals for the new parliament as part of the King’s Speech today (17 July) with a central focus of “ improving living standards for working people through economic growth”. Key points outlined in the speech, read by the King but written by…
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May- 2024 -24 MayEconomy
Retail sales slump 2.3% in April amid wet weather
Retail sales fell by 2.3% in volume over April, following a fall of 0.2% in March, as the retail sector was hampered by ongoing wet weather over the period. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales volumes were down across most sectors, with non-food stores particularly “doing badly”…
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Apr- 2024 -19 AprilGovernment & Legislation
Napo becomes ‘first insurer’ to cover dangerous dogs
Napo pet insurance has launched medical insurance cover for XL Bullies in a move which it claims to be the ‘first in the UK’. Napo now offers health insurance cover to XL Bullies as long as the dog’s owner is in possession of a valid exemption certificate. This move is…
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5 AprilVeterinary
Govt must clamp down on unlicensed pet breeders, say MPs
The government must clamp down on unregulated canine fertility clinics and unlicensed pet breeders, according to a report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee. The report calls for a list of licensed breeders to be made public, and a change in the licensing regulations so as to include…
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3 AprilTrade Organisations
OATA hits out at ‘so called’ consultation over SVS change status
The Ornamental Aquatic Trading Association (OATA) has used its submission to a consultation on Susceptible and Vector Species (SVS) to complain about the way Defra has handled proposed changes to the disease status of a number of popular aquarium fish. OATA claimed that Defra has failed to follow Government Consultation…
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Jan- 2024 -2 JanuaryEconomy
Shop price inflation flatlines in December
The annual shop price rise was slower than the three-month average rate of 4.6% at 4.3%, the lowest since June 2022, according to the BRC’s latest shop price index. The index, which compiled data from the first week of December, showed that non-food price inflation picked up to 3.1% in…
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