James Heappey MP House of Commons London
SW1A 0AA
Dear James,
The Rt Hon the Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Minister of State
Your ref: JH29540 Our ref: MC2021/14013/SK
16 June 2021
Thank you for your letter of 26 May to the Secretary of State on behalf of your constituent, Mr Peter Drew of 4 Quantock View, Clyce Road, Highbridge, about the rise in vet fees and pet insurance. I am replying as the Minister responsible for this policy area.
I appreciate the concerns raised by your constituent. I would like to clarify that all fees set by veterinary surgeons are a private matter between individual practices and their clients and neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra, has the power to intervene in the level of fees that are charged. Similarly, the cost of pet insurance is something that neither Defra nor RCVS have the power to intervene in.
Further information about vet fees can be found in the RCVS’ Code of Conduct for veterinary surgeons, which is available on their website via the following link:
https://www.rc v s.org.uk /setting-sta ndar ds/ adv ic e-an d-gu id anc e/c ode- of -prof essi ona l-
c onduc t-f or-v eterinary -surgeons/supp ortin g-gu id anc e/pr ac tic e-inf orm atio n-an d-f ees/
In paragraphs 9.5 -9.8 (fees), you will note that all fees set by veterinary surgeons are at the discretion of individual practices and, as a result, they may vary between one practice and another. In addition, 9.27-9.29 (prescriptions) states that veterinary surgeons may make a reasonable charge for prescriptions and that clients have the option to request a prescription from another veterinary surgeon or pharmacy if they so wish.
However, if after having discussed this matter with his veterinary practice your constituent remains unsatisfied, he can relay his concerns to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) by contacting them at the following address:
CMA
Victoria House, Southampton Row, London
WC1B 4AD
Further information about the CMA’s work can also be found via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-author ity
DEFRA, Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
www.gov.uk/defra | +44 (0) 3459 335577
www.gov.uk/sustainabledevelopmentgoals
Thank you once again for your letter.
Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance with this or any other matters in the future.
With best wishes,
THE RT HON THE LORD GOLDSMITH OF RICHMOND PARK