The EPO AGM 2022 took place at Interzoo in Nuremberg, Germany on May 26th, 2022 and OATA’s Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee has again been voted in as one of three Vice Presidents.

During the AGM EPO members unanimously re-appointed both the President and the Treasurer with a new term and appointed one new Vice President to their Board. The AGM also adopted the Secretary General’s annual report and the organization’s yearly budget.

The EPO Board is now composed of:
• President: Svein A. Fosså, NZB, Norway
• Treasurer: Norbert Holthenrich, ZZF, Germany
• Vice President: Olivier Dominikowski, PRODAF, France
• Vice President: Andreas Popper, WKO, Austria
• Vice-President: Dominic Whitmee, OATA, United Kingdom

Following the AGM, EPO convened a meeting with its sponsors for 2022. This provided a great opportunity for EPO to present the major issues the pet sector is facing, as well as emphasise its important role as the sole voice of the pet sector at EU
level, in a time when promoting and defending the pet sector is essential.

EPO President, Svein A. Fosså highlighted that: “The need for an active pro-animal keeping lobbyist organisation in the EU has never been more important than in these times. In this context, we are pleased that EPO has initiated this year a sponsoring program, enabling companies and entities of our sector to support our activities at EU level”.

Created in Vienna in April 1990, the European Pet Organization (EPO) is the voice of European Pet Trade Associations in Europe. EPO protects and promotes the interests of the European pet industry within the EU and international arena.
EPO represents 10 trade associations in 10 countries representing thousands of enterprises many of which are SMEs or micro businesses.

Its member organizations are:
• Austria: WKO
• France: PRODAF
• Germany: ZZF
• Italy: AIPA
• Norway: NZB
• Spain: AEDPAC
• Sweden: ZOORF
• Switzerland: VZFS
• The Netherlands: DIBEVO
• United Kingdom: OATA