The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) has said it looks forward to working with the new government to achieve a clear and certain path ahead.

Michael Bellingham, chief executive of the PFMA, said: “Pets and their owners are very important to us, as is the economic environment in which they have to make their purchasing decisions and in which we have to source our raw materials and sell our products.

“We will continue to monitor the Brexit discussions and work proactively and collaboratively for a successful outcome. The importance to our sector of the European market and a successful outcome to the forthcoming negotiations cannot be overestimated.”

The PFMA Brexit Manifesto focuses on five key areas – safety standards, animal health and welfare; sustainability of supplies; legislation; future trade; and workforce.

Mr Bellingham added: “We would like to see early resolution of arrangements for veterinary controls, on which our business depends. PFMA has pointed out that in the UK 85 per cent of official state vets carrying out official controls are from other EU countries and 30 per cent of all vets come from the EU.”

The full PFMA Brexit Manifesto is available at: www.pfma.org.uk/brexit.