Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussion she has had with consumer groups on the adequacy of veterinary services.

Defra has not conducted discussions directly with consumer groups on the adequacy of veterinary services. The Competition and Markets Authority is conducting a market investigation into the provision of veterinary services for household pets. Their Provisional Decision Report was published on 15 October and was open for consultation until 12 November. Defra will consider any remedies from their final report when it is published in Spring 2026.