Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act: The biggest reform of the veterinary sector in sixty years

Defra have announced the launch of its consultation on legislative changes intended to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act and our sector. In their announcement, Defra highlighted the key areas covered by the proposed reforms, advising that millions of pet owners and vet professionals across the country will benefit from major reforms to the veterinary sector – the first overhaul in sixty years.

They come after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found problems in the veterinary market could be costing households up to £1 billion over five years. The CMA found that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation – which is why this government is taking action. The proposals will make the system clearer, fairer and more transparent for owners – while supporting veterinary professionals alike.

• Clearer prices easing the ability to look around: Vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments, and be transparent about options and changes allowing pet owners to choose the best treatment for their animals. Knowing key prices beforehand helps owners to choose the best value.
• More competition to lower costs over time: Vet businesses must disclose who owns them so pet owners know if their local practice is part of a larger chain or independent. This knowledge and price transparency helps owners to decide which practice to use which increases competition and bring down costs over time.
• Greater confidence in care: Every vet practice will need an official operating licence – similar to GP surgeries and care homes.
• Fairer treatment complaints process: Stronger rules on how veterinary businesses must operate with an easier and more effective route for customers to raise concerns along with more support offered to allow vets and vet nurses to carry out their roles successfully; benefitting animal health and welfare.
• Better access to quality care: New measures will bring veterinary nurses and certain allied veterinary professionals into regulation, freeing up veterinary surgeons to focus on more specialist care, improving access and reducing delays.

Why change is needed

60% of vet practices are owned by non-vets, with many operating under unclear ownership structures. The reforms propose a new licencing system requiring businesses to meet clear standards – with enforcement action, including potential loss of licence, where they fail to do so.

A modern disciplinary process will accompany the reforms, with a wider range of sanctions to ensure customer concerns are properly addressed and support veterinary professionals to safely carry out their roles. This will work to improve care whilst reducing punitive outcomes and will benefit both owners and professionals alike.

Veterinary professionals are essential to the UK’s high animal health and welfare standards. These reforms strengthen professional recognition, modernise outdated regulation and help safeguard the profession’s ability to continue to protect the UK from the threats to disease and food security.

The consultation will run for 8 weeks with a closing date of 25^th March 2026. A link to the consultation is here. Further information is available here.

BSAVA is engaged in both the work of the CMA and the RCVS on behalf of small animal professionals in practice and will be considering the content of the RCVS consultation along with other Associations. We would encourage all members of the profession to take the time and opportunity to respond to the consultation as part of shaping and modernising the future of our profession.

This announcement follows the publication of the Animal Welfare Strategy and is part of this Government’s ambitious reforms to animal welfare – improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK. Please see our recent BSAVA news article here.