The government has launched the biggest reform of veterinary regulation in 60 years, promising clearer prices, stronger oversight and better protections for pet owners…reports Asian Lite News
Millions of pet owners and veterinary professionals are set to be affected by major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector, in what ministers describe as the first comprehensive overhaul of the system since the 1960s.
The proposals aim to make veterinary services clearer, fairer and more transparent, following findings by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that problems in the market could be costing households up to £1 billion over five years. The CMA also found that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation.
Under the reforms, vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments, with clearer information about options and potential changes. Ministers say this will help pet owners understand what they are paying for, avoid unexpected costs and compare services more easily.
Vet businesses will also have to disclose who owns them, allowing customers to see whether their local practice is part of a large corporate group or independently run. The government argues that greater transparency on ownership, combined with clearer pricing, will encourage competition and help bring costs down over time.
All veterinary practices will need to hold an official operating licence, similar to GP surgeries and care homes, introducing regulatory oversight of businesses as well as individual professionals. Stronger rules will apply to how practices operate, alongside a more accessible complaints process for customers.
New measures will bring veterinary nurses and certain allied professionals into regulation, freeing up veterinary surgeons to focus on more specialist care. The government says this will improve access, reduce delays and strengthen animal welfare.
For veterinary professionals, the reforms include legal recognition for veterinary nurses, changes to registration and fitness-to-practise processes, and a modern governance model for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), whose current structure has remained largely unchanged since 1966.
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said: “Pets are part of the family, and owners deserve clear information, fair treatment and confidence in the care their animals receive. We’re focused on making vet services work better for families by improving transparency, increasing choice and helping people make informed decisions, while continuing to support the professionals who care for our animals.”
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss, said: “Updating these rules will help build a modern veterinary service that is easier for the public to understand and navigate, while strengthening animal health outcomes and supporting a skilled, resilient workforce.”
She added: “Reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more resilient profession. This consultation gives pet owners and professionals the chance to help shape a system that works better for everyone.”
The British Veterinary Association said it supported reform in principle. Its president, Dr Rob Williams, said: “Veterinary teams play a vital role in society, from caring for the nation’s animals and supporting our farmers and food production, through to assisting international trade, disease control and public health.”
Martin Coleman, chair of the CMA inquiry group, said: “We welcome the government’s consultation to update this vital regulation and protect pet owners. Our vets investigation is ongoing, but we have already set out our strong concern that the current rules are not fit for purpose and need reforming to keep pace with commercial practice and further build pet owner trust in veterinary businesses.”
Around 60% of vet practices are now owned by non-vets, often operating under complex or unclear ownership structures. The reforms propose a new licensing system with enforcement powers, including potential loss of licence where standards are not met.
