CMA orders set stage for transparency overhaul in veterinary sector
New UK rules on veterinary pricing and transparency are now law following the CMA’s two-and-a-half-year investigation into the sector. Larger veterinary groups face their first compliance deadline in December, with smaller practices given additional time to adapt.
The Competition and Markets Authority’s final veterinary orders are now in force, setting a staged timetable for far-reaching transparency rules across pet care providers. For practices, the immediate challenge is operational compliance; for the wider sector, the larger question is whether legal reform of veterinary regulation will finally catch up with the market.
According to the CMA, veterinary businesses must begin publishing standardised prices for routine services, itemising pet care plans more clearly and giving written estimates before higher-cost treatment. Larger groups face the first deadline on 23 December 2026, while smaller businesses have more time to adapt. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons will help monitor compliance, as part of undertakings published alongside the order.
The British Veterinary Association said it welcomed the final package but would examine the detail closely. Dr Rob Williams, the association’s president, argued that many practices already provide estimates, complaints procedures and written prescriptions, and said the new rules could help bring greater consistency across the industry.
Martin Coleman, who chairs the CMA’s inquiry group, said the changes marked “a significant milestone” in the biggest overhaul of veterinary services in a generation. The BVA also used the decision to renew its call for ministers to progress the government’s white paper on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, including regulation of veterinary businesses.
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