CMA Extends Timetable for Market Investigation
10 June 2025
Today (10th June), the CMA advised that they are extending the timetable for their market investigation into veterinary services for household pets.
The statutory extension is for six months to May 2026 but the CMA aims to complete the Inquiry as soon as possible and in advance of this date. They intend to publish their provisional decision in September 2025, hold response hearings around the end of October 2025 and publish a final decision by February 2026 rather than at the end of November 2025 as originally intended.
Their decision to extend their administrative timetable is in part so they can fully consider the unprecedented response they received to their proposed Remedies Working Paper. In all they have received over 500 responses to the consultation, the vast majority of which were from individual vets and independent vet practices alongside responses from main parties, other organisations, pet owners and consumer representatives. Some of the main concerns relate to practicalities, costs and proportionality and, business model impacts. Responses to the working papers on profitability and econometrics also need to be given adequate consideration by CMA.
The CMA recognises the complexity and diversity of the veterinary sector and that they have a duty to make informed provisional decisions, followed by further consultation, before coming to final decisions on whether there is an adverse effect on competition and how this should be remedied. They also recognise that any remedies it imposes or recommends could materially affect thousands of veterinary professionals and businesses and millions of consumers and pets for a significant period of time. Therefore, they need to engage further with the veterinary sector to better understand more about costs, burdens and specific remedies to enable them to find the most effective and proportionate way in which any remedies might be applied.
The CMA acknowledges that many clients trust their individual vets – it is the cornerstone of the vet-client relationship. However, CMA needs to consider evidence relating to key concerns raised which in part prompted their Market Investigation. These relate to price rises, limited price transparency and the cost of veterinary medicines; visibility of practice and ancillary business ownership and in particular, ownership by non-vets; regulation of our sector and concerns about the related complaints system; and not least, client choice.
Given the volume and strength of feeling of comments received and the complexity of the issues the CMA are seeking to remedy, the CMA considers it vital that they take the time needed to address concerns and ensure their outcomes are measured, well-targeted and proportionate so as to avoid unintended consequences for animal welfare, public health, veterinary professionals and businesses.
As a main party, BSAVA has continued to ensure the voice of the profession is heard in responding to CMA consultations and participating in CMA hearings alongside other veterinary associations including BVA, BVNA, SPVS and FIVP. We are encouraged to see that the CMA recognise the complexity and diversity of our profession and that they have listened to many of the points and concerns we raised regarding proportionality, costs for both practices and consumers, provision of veterinary medicines, unwieldy systems and processes and, the wider impact of unintended consequences. CMA welcome constructive dialogue and we intend to further engage with them to influence outcomes of benefit to pets, clients veterinary professionals and businesses and overall, and the long-term viability of our sector.
For further information please access the following https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/veterinary-services-market-for-pets-review#extension-of-market-investigation and a blog by Inquiry chair Martin Coleman https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/10/addressing-concerns-in-the-veterinary-sector/
For further information on the CMA investigation and BSAVA’s related activities, please access the following https://www.bsava.com/article/bsava-responds-to-cma-proposed-remedies/