Producer Member

Advocacy

After exponential growth in pet food exports since 2020, U.S. dog and cat food exports hit $2.4 billion in 2023, with products shipped to over 90 countries. As pets continue to be seen as valued members of families and pet owners seek to provide their pets with complete and balanced commercial pet food, significant opportunities continue to grow in international markets. PFI supports and engages with both U.S. and foreign governments to secure, maintain, and expand access to critical markets worldwide. PFI encourages adherence and adoption of science-based standards and regulations that ensure the safety and quality of pet food globally, while creating a stable and predictable regulatory environment for U.S. pet food exports.

PFI’s government relations team covers legislative and regulatory issues that impact pet food makers on the federal and state level and works to reinforce the value of our industry. Issues our team works on include:

• Supply chain challenges caused by disruptions in the shipping sector
• Funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ingredient approvals
• Passage of legislation benefiting the pet care community
• Pet food licensing and registration fees
• Packaging and plastics legislation

Regulatory

PFI’s regulatory staff works to ensure that the regulatory landscape for pet food provides a comprehensive, fair, and transparent framework that is based on sound science and best practices, mutually benefiting the industry, PFI member companies, our customers, and pets. Activities our regulatory team works on are:

• AAFCO relations
• Ingredient approvals
• Food safety
• Nutrition
• International trade
• Annual food safety conference hosted by PFI

Opportunity to Steer the Industry

Drive innovation, thought leadership, and provide direction for the industry through participation on one or more of PFI’s volunteer-led committees, an exclusive opportunity only for members. After a year of membership, a PFI producer member may be eligible to run for a seat on the PFI Board of Directors.

Access to:

• PFI Staff Experts: Members enjoy exclusive access to the specialized expertise of PFI staff. Meet our subject matter experts.
• Informational Webinars
• Members-only resources like Inside Elections, PFAS updates, and more
• Monthly Issues Update: a monthly newsletter that updates members on the latest in the pet food industry and PFI activities
• PFI Campaign toolkits e.g. Renewable Diesel and Modernizing Pet Food Regulation resources
• Drive innovation, thought leadership, and provide direction for the industry through participation on one or more of PFI’s volunteer-led committees, an exclusive opportunity only for members. After a year of membership, a PFI producer member may be eligible to run for a seat on the PFI Board of Directors.