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Competition and Markets Authority investigation
On 22 September, the CMA published its Final Orders bringing its two-and-a-half-year investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets to an end. Throughout the investigation, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure the CMA understands the complexity and nuances of the veterinary landscape, challenged the CMA when we felt it was getting it wrong. The result was a final package of remedies that is more proportionate, workable and fairer for both vets and clients. This includes a significantly amended client notice on medicines and prescriptions following which was a particular concern for our members and the wider profession.
You can find the latest information on the investigation, FAQs to keep you up to date and a range of handy resources to support you to adapt to the CMA’s Final Orders.
Breaking down the CMA's measures | Providing information and policies on treatments
In the news
Throughout the investigation, BVA’s senior vet team has been speaking to national and regional media outlets across to UK combatting misconceptions and setting the record straight about the cost of vet care and the motivations of vets. This includes BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 Today, and BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Sky News and ITV News, to name just a few.
#InSafeHands campaign
Vets and vet teams care deeply about animal welfare and take pride in delivering highly skilled care for patients and clients. However, recent media and social media coverage has seen high levels of criticism unfairly levelled towards veterinary professionals. Our #InSafeHands campaign is changing the narrative by showing the public the realities of the incredible work vets deliver daily to help animal health and welfare.
The Competition and Markets Authority is the principal competition regulator in the UK. It is a non-ministerial government department responsible for strengthening business competition and preventing and reducing anti-competitive activities.
The CMA launched an initial review looking at consumer experiences and business practices in the provision of veterinary services for household pets in the UK in September 2023. The review explored how well the market is working for pet owners, including whether they are receiving the information they need at the right time to get appropriate treatment for their pets.
On 23 May 2024, the CMA launched a formal 'market investigation' to explore the factors which might be affecting competition in more depth. Following more than two years of evidence gathering and consultation, the CMA concluded its investigation publishing its final decision report on 25 March 2026.
The remedies aim to address the factors in the veterinary market which the CMA found to have an adverse effect on competition. The remedies cover:
- Providing information on ownership, prices and services
- Providing information on policies and treatments
- Handling complaints
- Prescribing veterinary medicines
- Offering cremation services
- OOH contracts
A full list of the CMA’s remedies can be found here.
The CMA’s remedies package is being introduced by Orders placing requirements on veterinary businesses, alongside Undertakings from the RCVS.
The Funding Order and RCVS Undertakings were published in August 2026. The Funding Order requires in scope veterinary businesses to pay a fee to RCVS to fund monitoring activities. The details are available here.
The Substantive Order and Undertakings were published in September 2026. The Substantive Order includes details of the standardised materials (posters and flyers) which in scope veterinary businesses will be required to display in waiting rooms. The details are available here.
The remedies will be introduced in phases, with full implementation complete by September 2027. Smaller businesses have longer to comply with the remedies than larger businesses.
For more information on how to ensure compliance with the remedies, take a look at our handy downloadable resource.
Standing up for our members
BVA have been championing vets throughout the CMA process, over the last two years.
You can find all of our responses and activity here:
- 22 September 2026: CMA significantly changes client notice following BVA concerns
- 20 August 2026: Vets market investigation: draft substantive Order and Undertakings
- 30 July 2026: Vets market investigation: draft funding Order and Undertakings
- 25 March 2026: What veterinary businesses and vets need to do following the CMA’s final vets report
- 25 March 2026: Final decision on veterinary services for household pets
- 24 March 2026: British Veterinary Association responds to Competition and Markets Authority final measures following investigation into UK vet services
- 6 January 2026: BVA BSAVA BVNA SPVS VMG Joint Response to CMA commissioned consumer research
- 14 November 2025: BVA BSAVA BVNA SPVS VMG Joint Response to CMA Provisional Decision Report
- 15 October 2025: BVA responds to CMA Provisional Decision Report
- 10 October 2025: CMA's FAQs clarifying the distribution of its provisional decision report
- 10 June 2025: CMA investigation timetable extension following BVA concerns about ‘potential remedies’
- 27 May 2025: BVA has published a full response to Competition and Markets Authority’s proposed remedies
- 1 May 2025: BVA responds to CMA's potential 'remedies" as UK veterinary services investigation continues
- 21 March 2025: BVA responds to the CMA working papers
- Response to CMA overview paper
- Response to CMA working paper: How people purchase veterinary services
- Response to CMA working paper: Business models, provision of veterinary advice and consumer choice
- Response to CMA working paper: Competition in the supply of veterinary medicines
- Response to CMA working paper: Regulatory framework for veterinary professionals and veterinary services
- Response to CMA working paper: Analysis of local competition
- 14 March 2025: BVA advocates for the profession at formal CMA hearing
- 6 February 2025: BVA welcomes CMA’s recognition of veterinary professionals’ skill and dedication, but raises concerns around understanding of out of hours and referral services
- 2 December 2024: BVA President sends letter to Director of Markets at the Competition and Markets Authority
- 22 November 2024: BVA submits joint response to the CMA approach to profitability and financial analysis working paper
- 8 August 2024: BVA publishes blog - Standing up for the veterinary profession
- 1 August 2024: BVA raises concerns of unintended consequences as it publishes joint response to CMA’s Issues Statement
- 1 August 2024: BVA submits joint response to CMA's Issues Statement
- 9 July 2024: CMA takes next procedural step in vet services investigation
- 23 May 2024: BVA responds as Competition and Markets Authority launches ‘market investigation’ of the veterinary sector
- 2 May 2024: BVA launches new guidance to help profession address CMA concerns on transparency and client choice
- 11 April 2024: BVA leads joint response from the veterinary professions to Competition and Markets Authority consultation
- 11 April 2024: BVA submits joint consultation response to proposed Market Investigation Reference
- 19 March 2024: BVA joins industry webinar panel to discuss review findings (catch up on recording - member access code in portal)
- 12 March 2024: BVA responds to Competition and Markets Authority’s initial review of the veterinary sector
- 30 November 2023: Adrian Chiles issues public apology to vets after BVA challenges ‘offensive’ and ‘damaging’ Guardian article
- 29 November 2023: BVA responds to Daily Mail articles on ‘overtreatment’
- 23 November 2023: BVA challenges the Guardian on deeply ‘offensive’ and ‘damaging’ characterisation of vets
- 3 November 2023: BVA publishes joint consultation response
- 3 November 2023: BVA issues release backing profession over fees for highly skilled care, but says transparency is key
- 13 September 2023: Cost of vet care: challenging misleading media reports
- 7 September 2023: BVA responds to Competition and Markets Authority’s review announcement