RCVS responds to the CMA’s draft remedies publication

We welcome the opportunity to respond to the Competition & Markets Authority’s (CMA) consultation on its potential package of remedies, which has been published today [1 May 2025] in the latest working paper from its ongoing market investigation into veterinary services for household pets.

Following publication earlier this year of potential competition concerns that could be leading to poor outcomes for pet owners, the CMA’s latest paper sets out its current thinking on the potential package of remedies that may be needed both to change the commercial relationship between veterinary businesses and pet owners, and to bring about reform of the regulatory framework.

Although we note that the CMA has not yet decided whether these remedies will be needed or, if they are, what form they would take, we will take time to read the proposals carefully and respond in detail by the stated deadline of 27 May 2025. We would encourage animal owners, veterinary professionals, and practice owners to do the same if they can.

We are also pleased to note that, during the course of its investigation, the CMA states it has observed the extensive dedication shown by vets and vet nurses to their profession and the animals under their care, and has found that most pet owners are satisfied with the professional service of individual vets.

We acknowledge however, that there is more concern about the commercial relationship, including pricing, between vet businesses of all sizes and pet owners.

We also continue to recognise the CMA’s views about the urgent need for statutory regulatory reform, the greater use of, and protections for, veterinary nurses, and the regulation of veterinary practices. These remain broadly aligned with the College's longstanding recommendations for legislative reform, about which we continue to be in close conversation with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The CMA has told us that it wishes to continue to work in partnership with the RCVS – a royal college that regulates – to help achieve these important reforms, and we look forward to doing so in the coming weeks and months.

In the meantime, we have undertaken a number of activities that help to support the underlying aims of the CMA’s investigation:

• published new advice on our website to help pet owners build a good understanding of veterinary practice and to develop a successful partnership with their vet team,
• launched a new course on RCVS Academy, our digital learning platform, to help veterinary professionals with communicating costs to clients, and
• written to veterinary employers to remind them of our guidance around consumer rights and professional autonomy, to help reduce any pressure felt by veterinary professionals to act in a way that conflicts with their obligations to animal health and welfare and transparency with clients.