CMA Veterinary Services Market Investigation Remedies Package Unveiled

• The CMA has introduced a levy on veterinary businesses to fund the RCVS' activities.
• The levy will enable the RCVS to implement actions required by the CMA and support the remedies package.
• The consultation closed on 20 August 2026, with responses now available online.
• Compliance officers and lawyers should be aware of the CMA's implementation of the remedies package.

The levy will enable the RCVS to implement actions required by the CMA and support the remedies package.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has conducted a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets, identifying competition problems in the sector. The CMA's final report outlined a remedies package to address these issues, which includes introducing a levy on veterinary businesses to fund the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' (RCVS) activities. The levy will enable the RCVS to implement actions required by the CMA and support the remedies package. The CMA has published draft documents for consultation, including the draft Veterinary Services Market Investigation Order 2026 and the draft RCVS Undertakings 2026. The consultation closed on 20 August 2026, with responses now available online. The CMA's implementation of the remedies package is expected to be completed within an implementation period of up to 6 months, which may be extended by up to a further 4 months if necessary.

The CMA's investigation was conducted under the Enterprise Act 2002, section 138A. The Act provides for market investigations and remedies packages to address competition problems in specific sectors. The CMA's final report and draft documents are designed to give effect to the inquiry group's decisions and remedy, mitigate or prevent competition problems in the veterinary services sector. The RCVS has offered Undertakings to support the remedies package, which will be implemented through a series of Orders placing requirements on veterinary businesses. The levy on veterinary businesses is expected to fund preparatory and ongoing activities of the RCVS implementing the actions required by the CMA.

The introduction of a levy on veterinary businesses to fund the RCVS' activities marks a significant development in the regulation of the veterinary services sector. The remedies package is designed to address competition problems and promote fair competition among veterinary businesses. Compliance officers and lawyers should be aware of the CMA's implementation of the remedies package, particularly the introduction of the levy on veterinary businesses. The deadline for consultation responses was 20 August 2026, and the CMA's implementation of the remedies package is expected to be completed within an implementation period of up to 6 months.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the CMA's implementation of remedies for competition problems in the veterinary services market, particularly the introduction of a levy on veterinary businesses to fund RCVS activities, and be aware of the deadline for consultation responses (20 August 2026).

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK