As the UK’s professional representative body for veterinary nursing, BVNA has issued a full response to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provisional decision in its investigation of the UK veterinary market for household pets. BVNA is also one of the main parties which has engaged with the CMA throughout its investigation to date.

The response has been submitted jointly alongside the British Veterinary Association (BVA), British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), Veterinary Management Group (VMG) and Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS); addressing the proposals issued by the CMA in its Provisional Decision Report (PDR) published on 15^th October 2025.

BVNA welcomed the recognition by the CMA that the vast majority of veterinary professionals ‘work hard, act ethically, and put animal welfare first’. The joint response also acknowledged that the CMA has acted on prior feedback to its earlier potential remedies working paper, arriving at a set of proposals which are generally more measured and proportionate.

The CMA proposed remedies supported by BVNA include:

• the measures to increase consumer engagement and choice of most suitable first opinion practice, including requirements to publish ownership information, and clear accessible information about services
• the proposed additional clarity around pet health care plans
• the proposals around standardised complaints processes
• CMA’s support for veterinary legislative reform, including practice regulation

In addition, BVNA welcomes the CMA’s provisional points for consideration by UK government and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) specifically in relation to veterinary nurses:

• statutory protection of the ‘veterinary nurse’ title
• the provision of further guidance on interpretation of the existing legislative framework including Schedule 3
• potential expansion of the scope of tasks which may be performed by veterinary nurses

However, the joint response also details a number of outstanding concerns in relation to the medicine market opening remedies, in particular:

• The proposed requirement to make pet owners aware they can buy medicines online more cheaply
• The proposed cap on prescription fees, without further work to ensure that the access price for veterinary care is not negatively impacted

The full response can be found here.

BVNA President Sarah Holliday commented: “As the CMA investigation progresses, BVNA continues to champion the role of veterinary nurses in delivering high quality patient care. Not only do veterinary nurses contribute positively to the welfare and outcomes of patients within their care, but also to the relationship between the vet team, client and patient.

“We therefore welcome the CMA’s efforts to understand the veterinary nursing role, and the significant value that veterinary nursing care provides, both to pet owners and veterinary businesses.

“Following our feedback on the CMA’s earlier potential remedies working paper, we are pleased that the CMA is listening to the concerns we previously raised – reshaping its prior remedies into a package of proposals which generally provide more workable and proportionate solutions.

“We have once again welcomed the opportunity to respond to the CMA’s PDR on behalf of our members, and there is much to support within these provisional findings. In particular, we fully support the CMA’s recommendation to UK government to reform the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966; to establish a new statutory regulatory regime including regulation of veterinary practices, and considerations for legislation which can better protect and progress the veterinary nursing profession.

“However, we have also detailed our outstanding concerns, particularly in relation to the proposed medicine market opening remedies, and their potential negative impact upon competition and affordable access to veterinary care. We look forward to continuing to engage with the CMA to help them to get these remaining measures right.

“BVNA will provide a strong and clear voice for its members and the veterinary nursing profession, as the CMA investigation reaches its conclusion and any measures are finalised.”