The CMA's provisional decision in its veterinary services market investigation

Which? welcomes the invitation to comment on the CMA’s provisional decision in its market investigation.  When we conducted our first research into veterinary services in Spring 2023 we were confident our research indicated it was not a well-functioning market. The evidence set out by the CMA’s provisional decision shows without doubt that there are features of this market that are causing substantial and persistent consumer detriment and that an extensive package of remedies is required to address this. 

Overall, we are very supportive of the CMA’s package of remedies. The measures that the CMA can introduce through a CMA Order (or by accepting undertakings where appropriate) represent a proportionate set of interventions that can realistically be implemented, monitored and enforced. Of course, the success of the CMA’s work in this market will in part depend on whether the Government takes forward recommendation 17 to replace the existing, antiquated regulatory regime with a modern regime that befits the market as it is today. We hope that the Government acts at pace to do this, bringing forward legislation at the earliest feasible opportunity.