RCVS Imposes Fee on GB Veterinary Services Market Investigation

• The UK government has introduced the Veterinary Services Market Investigation (Funding) Order 2026, which requires relevant veterinary businesses to pay a fee to the RCVS.
• The related Undertakings 2026 require relevant veterinary businesses to provide mechanisms for funding certain activities required by the Order.
• The Order and Undertakings aim to address concerns raised by the CMA's investigation into the veterinary services market.
• Relevant veterinary businesses may need to review their business practices in light of the new fee requirements and potential implications for compliance obligations.

The related Undertakings 2026 are voluntary agreements between the RCVS and relevant veterinary businesses that provide mechanisms for funding the activities required by the Order.

The UK government has introduced the Veterinary Services Market Investigation (Funding) Order 2026, which requires relevant veterinary businesses to pay a fee to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This order is part of the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) market investigation into veterinary services for household pets. The RCVS will use the funding to perform certain activities, such as monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Order. The related Undertakings 2026 also require relevant veterinary businesses to provide mechanisms that put in place the necessary funding for these activities. The Order and Undertakings aim to address concerns raised by the CMA's investigation into the veterinary services market.

The Veterinary Services Market Investigation (Funding) Order 2026 is a statutory instrument that has been made under the Enterprise Act 2002. The Order gives effect to the findings of the CMA's market investigation into veterinary services for household pets, which was conducted in accordance with section 131 of the Enterprise Act 2002. The related Undertakings 2026 are voluntary agreements between the RCVS and relevant veterinary businesses that provide mechanisms for funding the activities required by the Order. These Undertakings are enforceable under the Enterprise Act 2002.

The Veterinary Services Market Investigation (Funding) Order 2026 has significant implications for relevant veterinary businesses in the UK. The Order requires these businesses to pay a fee to the RCVS and provide mechanisms for funding certain activities, such as monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Order. This may impact their compliance obligations and require them to review their business practices. Lawyers advising these businesses should be aware of the new fee requirements and the potential implications for their clients' compliance obligations.

Lawyers should be aware of the new fee requirements for relevant veterinary businesses under the Veterinary Services Market Investigation (Funding) Order 2026, which may impact their compliance obligations.

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK