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CMA publishes Issues Statement
The CMA invites responses to the document before midnight on 30 July 2024.
Interested parties are encouraged to comment on the issues raised.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has released its Issues Statement, which details its initial concerns about the small pets veterinary market.

It has also opened a consultation into the document, inviting interested parties to respond to its concerns and proposed remedies before 30 July.

Within its Issues Statement, the CMA has explained which areas of the market it intends on exploring during its investigation, and the evidence and information it will be sourcing to reach its conclusions.

The CMA has also raised some of the potential remedies it could implement, if it finds a concern could cause an adverse effect on competition.

However the document affirms that its initial concerns do not represent a pre-judgement of an adverse effect, nor does it assume that any adverse effects will be identified. It states that any hypothesis could change in the process of the investigation, and that no remedies will be implemented until an adverse effect is identified.

The statement is designed to lay out a framework for the CMA’s approach to its market investigation. With the authority given an 18-month timetable to complete its investigation, the structure has been made in consideration of the complexity and size of the market.

As part of its process, a group of independent members will decide whether certain features of the market may prevent, restrict or distort competition in the veterinary market.

Where an adverse effect is identified, the group will decide whether the CMA and other bodies should take action. It will then consider what can be done to remedy, mitigate or prevent the issue from reoccurring.

Alongside a series of potential issues and remedies, the Issues Statement sets out six specific queries, which it is encouraging parties to respond to with general observations or views. It will invite those interested to hearings and roundtables, where topics will be open to discussion.

Comments and suggestions can also be made on the approaches and methodologies that the CMA employs, providing they are supported with relevant reasoning and evidence.

Responses to the Issues Statement must be made in writing, before midnight on 30 July 2024, by emailing vetsMI@cma.gov.uk.

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA survey investigates sheep worrying

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its latest survey to better understand the severity of sheep worrying in the UK.

The survey will be open until Friday, 21 February 2025. UK sheep farmers are invited to share their experiences of sheep worrying by dogs and its impact on the industry.

NSA has been gathering information about sheep worrying for over 10 years as part of its campaign to raise awareness of incidents and produce new ways of educating the public.

Sheep worrying, often caused by dogs being loose near fields, can result in physical injury, miscarriage and death of animals affected.

The results of the survey will be shared with interested parties, including the UK press, before spring and ahead of lambing season next year.

For more information, or to complete the survey, visit NSA's website.