Posted Friday, April 18, 2008, 5:53 p.m., EST

A conference on pet import legislation, including  the imports of ornamental fish, crustaceans and mollusks, will take place during Interzoo in May.

The European Pet Organization, a trade group representing European pet trade associations, and the International Pet Advisory Council, a coalition of national trade associations, have organized a conference on European pet import legislation to take place during Interzoo in May in Nuremberg, Germany.

At the conference, scheduled for Saturday, May 24, speakers representing the European commission will discuss recent and future changes to pet import legislation and answer questions and hear concerns from industry members, including importers, wholesalers and retailers, according to the EPO.

The specific topics include new European legislation on the imports of ornamental fish, crustaceans and mollusks, which will become effective Aug.
1; an update on the development of legislation on the import of other animals, notably reptiles, amphibians and small mammals; and an introduction to the European Union’s strategy to deal with invasive species.

EPO notes that imports of pond and aquarium plants will soon be affected by Europe’s invasive species strategy, and that the imports of ornamental fish, reptiles, amphibians and other pet animals will also be addressed.

The conference will also cover European implementation of CITES, an international treaty covering the trade of endangered species.

The event, sponsored by Interzoo organizer WZF, will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the St. Petersburg Room in the East Hall of the exhibition center. <HOME>