Italy's Zoomark Event Hosts Simultaneous Registration for Exhibitors and Pets
Lively Scene at Zoomark 2023: Italy's Pet Industry Booms
Hey there! Let's dive into the buzzing world of Italian pet owners at the recent Zoomark 2023, the country's grandest international pet fair!
With close to 65 million pets roaming Italy's homes, partly furry, partly feathered, and a splash of finned creatures, it's no surprise that one in two families shares their lives with at least one pet. Notably, dogs and cats have leapfrogged past the 20-million mark, with cats reaching almost 12 million—increasing over a million in just a year! This pet bombardment is evident in the ten halls of BolognaFiere, where the 21st edition of Zoomark took place, attracting a record-breaking 1,300 exhibitors from 58 countries (+23%), sprawling across 90,000 square meters (+32%), and harboring two-thirds of foreign visitors.
Gianpiero Calzolari, president of BolognaFiere, kicked off the event by underscoring the escalating impact of pets on Italian society, including the economy, individual well-being, public health, and social inclusion. Giorgio Massoni, president of the Assalco, the national association of companies for pet feeding and care, reinforced this sentiment, representing 85% of the market. He revealed that 96% of pet owners consider their pets as family members, translating into documented benefits, particularly for vulnerable individuals like the elderly and disabled. Studies show 15% reduction in medical visits for seniors living with pets, resulting in an estimated annual savings of 4 billion for the healthcare system.
The Zoomark event highlighted the pressing need for legislation to catch up with the rapid evolution of pets' role in society and the economy. For instance, while the National Identification System for Companion Animals (Sinac) was predicted to go live this year with mandatory registration for all pets, it's still under development. Similarly, while the proposal for a digital health card and digitization of pet passports is still in the study phase, there's no clarity on reducing the VAT rate on pet food and veterinary care from 22% to 10%, as prescribed by the European Union.
While specific details on current Italian Parliament proposals for national identification systems, digital health cards, or VAT reductions remain scarce, Italy has taken significant strides in animal welfare legislation. The recently passed Bill AS 1308 introduces harsher penalties for crimes against animals and bans keeping dogs chained, among other provisions. Moreover, Italy positions itself as one of Europe's most progressive countries concerning animal protection[1][2][3][4].
In the European Union, there's been an emphasis on enhancing welfare and traceability standards for dogs and cats, yet these regulations aren't specific to Italy[5]. As the event unfolded, champions for animal rights reiterated the need for an integrated approach to public health, recognizing pets as sentient subjects of law, and advocating for VAT reductions as a fair and beneficial measure.
In the thriving realm of Italian pet ownership, environmental considerations in a pet-centric lifestyle extend beyond home-and-garden aspects, as demonstrated by the surging enthusiasm for pets at events like Zoomark 2023. The increasing adoption of pets in Italy has far-reaching implications, impacting not only individual well-being and social inclusion but also the home-and-garden, pet-related markets.
