One new ordinance will limit sales of pets online; meanwhile, pet food

sales saw modest growth.

New major government regulations set for 2020 implementation are about toshape Japan’s pet industry anew. In his annual New Year’s message to membersof the Japan Pet Food Industry, Chairman Hisashi Ishiyama said new governmentordinances will start to be promulgated this year through 2022 in line withthe fourth set of revisions made last June to Japan’s animal welfaremanagement law.

First of the ordinances will limit pet sales to registered business locations,mainly to address issues related to pet sales via the internet. Ishiyama saidwhen the law was revised for the third time in 2012, the number of pets soldvia the internet was only a few hundred per year. But in 2019, “it reachedtens of thousands and some restraint is needed from the viewpoint ofaccountability,” he said.

Under the revised law, Japan by 2021 will only allow the sale or transfer ofpuppies and kittens starting 56 days after birth. In addition, the governmentis expected to impose stricter standards on breeding facilities and managementfor breeders and pet shops to further improve pet welfare. In 2022, newly breddogs and cats will be required to wear microchips to promote better awarenessand responsibility on the part of pet owners.

Significant developments for future of pet industry

Ishiyama said 2019 was an important year, with developments that will havesignificant impact on the Japanese pet industry’s future. Last year’s surveyof its pet food industry saw the country’s total shipment volume reaching99.6% compared to 2018, Ishiyama said.

Japan’s pet food FY2018 survey (April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019) alsorevealed the following:

• Shipment amount was 105.1% of the 2018 amount, or ¥ 302.4 billion (US$2.76 billion).
• With the number of breeding dogs on a downward trend, premium dog foods increased shipments to ¥ 137.5 billion (US$1.26 billion), or 104%.
• An increase in the number of cats breeding increased cat food shipments to 297,000 tons (103.8%)
• Pet food premiums have resulted in further increases in shipment value, to ¥ 154.5 billion yen (US$1.4 billion), or 106.3%.

Source: By Alma Buelva Pet Food Forum – Photo by Alma J. Buelva

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