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Inquiry launched into CVS Group's acquisition of The Vet
“This deal could lead to customers facing more limited treatment choices for their pets" - Colin Raftery, CMA.
The CMA has received competition complains in five local areas. 

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an inquiry into the CVS Group's acquisition of Quality Pet Care - which trades as The Vet - after concerns were raised about competion in Bristol, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southampton and Warrington.
 
In a statement, the CMA said the merger ‘would account for a significant proportion of veterinary services in each of these areas,’ adding that while practices owned by CVS and The Vet compete for customers in these locations, the ‘combined businesses would not face sufficient competition after the merger.’ 

CMA’s senior director of mergers, Colin Raftery, warned that the deal could lead to pet owners ‘facing a worse quality of service’ or ‘having to pay higher prices’. 

“The CMA has received a number of complaints in recent years about higher prices or lower quality services as a result of too many vets’ practices in the same area being under the control of a single company," he said. “This deal could lead to customers facing more limited treatment choices for their pets or paying over the odds for services in these areas. Should CVS fail to address our concerns we will refer the deal for an in-depth investigation.”

The CVS Group owns 467 practices in the UK, while The Vet operates eight practices across England. For more information about the inquiry, visit gov.uk/cma-cases/cvs-slash-quality-pet-care-merger-inquiry

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.