Vet bills and animal welfare reforms examined by EFRA Committee
The EFRA Committee will examine a range of issues affecting the UK veterinary sector, including workforce challenges, the Competition and Markets Authority’s review of the household pet sector and the Government’s animal welfare strategy.
Witnesses will include the British Veterinary Association, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, college leaders, and workforce representatives (full details below).
The cross-party Committee will question witnesses on the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation which found that, over recent years, a growing proportion of veterinary practices have been bought by private equity-backed companies. A provisional decision from the Authority linked inflation-busting costs of vet bills to a lack of competition in the market. The panel will be asked about proposals to improve transparency around vet bills and practices.
There will be discussion of how the veterinary sector could adapt to proposed changes to farming practices in the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, which vets would be tasked with inspecting. Examples include moving away from confinement systems in farming of pigs and hens, addressing welfare concerns in CO2 stunning of pigs, and promoting slower-growing chicken breeds. Vets would also be involved in proposals in the Strategy to end puppy farming and smuggling.
MPs will examine the financial sustainability of veterinary colleges, following the recent near-closure of the University of Cambridge’s vet school. There are wider concerns that a cap on Government funding for student places has made institutions reliant on cross-subsidising domestic students with revenue from international student fees. This has limited the number of UK students that colleges can enrol.
Events
There may also be questions about concerns from The Rivers Trust and Wildlife and Countryside Link that tick and flea treatments given to pets can poison ecosystems in rivers, and whether these treatments should be restricted.
The Committee will also be interested to hear witnesses’ views on how a dedicated veterinary medicines agreement with the EU could potentially improve access to medicines for vets in Northern Ireland.
Other topics likely to be discussed include international recruitment of vets, domestic workforce challenges and reforms to the Veterinary Surgeons Act.