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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th November 2022
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CMA launches IVC business merger inquiry
The CMA is investigating whether the acquisitions has or may result 'in a substantial lessening of competition'.
The regulator is investigating eight completed acquisitions.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the acquisition of multiple businesses acquired by Independent Vetcare Limited (IVC).

Among the IVC acquisitions under investigation include Swayne & Partners Ltd, Bury St Edmunds, and Penrose Veterinary Group Limited, Colchester.

The Initial Enforcement Orders, published on the 17th of November, state that the CMA is considering whether 'a relevant merger situation has been created' and whether the situation has or may result 'in a substantial lessening of competition in any markets or markets in the United Kingdom'.

The orders also maintain that practices under investigation must carry out their business separately from IVC and maintain their separate sales or brand identity. The full list of acquisitions to be investigated is as follows:
  • Penrose Veterinary Group Limited
  • Kevin Castle (Pet Care) Ltd
  • Swayne & Partners Ltd
  • Treforest Veterinary Clinic Limited
  • Mercer & Hughes Limited
  • Swaffham Veterinary Centre Ltd
  • Anglesey Pet Clinic Ltd
  • Chiltern Equine Clinic
IVC has been directed to appoint a monitoring trustee to ensure compliance with the orders, available on the CMA's website.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.