FIVP is voicing its concern with the UK government’s decision to run the Veterinary Surgeons Act consultation in tandem with the ongoing Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched its consultation into the Veterinary Surgeons Act with a press release on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. It is due to conclude on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
The press release features repeated mention of the CMA’s investigation, including reference to the CMA’s proposed remedy package. Defra appears to be associating the consultation with a number of the CMA’s goals.
However, while the Veterinary Surgeons Act is mentioned in the CMA’s reports, the remedy package remains under review until a final decision is released in the coming weeks.
Calls for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act have been voiced long before the CMA investigation started, with a widespread belief that a reform is needed. As such, FIVP believes that the consultation should be held entirely independently of the CMA’s investigation.
FIVP believes that Defra is using this long-awaited, vital reform to build support for the forthcoming CMA decision report. In doing so, it has sparked confusion and anxiety among the veterinary profession.
Rita Dingwall, chair of FIVP, said: “While we are pleased that this much-needed consultation has been launched, we are disappointed that it is being misrepresented as part of the CMA’s remedy package. Defra appears to be using the consultation, which should unite the veterinary sector, to build support for the CMA’s proposed remedies.
“We hope that our members will continue to share their views on the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Everyone in the veterinary profession must consider what is best for the future of veterinary care and animal welfare, independently of the CMA’s reports.”
