CMA next steps: BVA publishes practical resources to help vet teams get ready and compliant with upcoming changes

The CMA remedies will take effect from September 2026, following more than two years of investigation by the CMA into veterinary services for household pets. Whilst the CMA’s detailed Orders are yet to be released, these new resources, which include a handy downloadable guide and a series of short videos, provide support and advice to help vet teams prepare for the changes and ensure they are compliant by the set deadlines.  

The resources include:  

• A short, downloadable guide to each CMA remedy 

Four short videos covering:  

• Remedy 1 - providing general information on ownership, prices and services
• Remedy 2 - providing information and policies on treatments 
• Remedy 3 - prescribing of veterinary medicines
• Remedy 4 - managing complaints
• Remedy 5 - offering cremation services

The CMA will be releasing more detailed information about its remedies over the summer and BVA’s dedicated CMA page will continue to be updated. 

BVA President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “Given the CMA’s starting point, following significant pushback from BVA, the final remedies now better balance the needs of the pet-owning public, with practical delivery of vet services. However, we understand that the next steps may still feel a bit daunting. The first thing to say is that most of you will already be undertaking many, if not most of the measures required by the CMA in your day-to-day work and this next step will be about formalising these processes. We’re here to support the profession as it gets ready for change later in the year with practical resources to help you comply.”  

BVA’s CMA page will continue to be updated with more resources once they are available.  These are available for BVA members to view on its website.  

In addition, all vets can attend this year’s BVA Live, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 11 and 12 June, where two sessions will look at the steps vets and practices need to take to comply with the outcome of the CMA investigation.  

• Managing complaints post-CMA, what do you need to know? BVA President Rob Williams will be joined by Jennie Jones, head of the Veterinary Client Mediation Service, and Gavin Durston, director of Thrums Vets, and will use this session to explore how to handle complaints effectively and transparently, and how to prepare for – and participate in – mediation constructively.  
• Hot topic: CMA remedies – what do they mean in practice?With BVA President Rob Williams; Martin Coleman, CMA Inquiry Chair - Competition and Markets Authority; Kate Higgins, owner and director of Village Vets Formby; Lyndsay Hughes, British Veterinary Nursing Association senior vice president; and British Small Animal Veterinary Association vice president Susan Little, this session will begin with a presentation and Q&A from Martin Coleman updating on the CMA’s final decision and explaining next steps. A panel discussion will then explore the possible impact of CMA Orders on practices and what comes next. 

The full BVA Live programme is available at bvalive.vetshow.com. BVA members can still claim a fully funded ticket – find out more here.