The British Veterinary Union (BVU) has welcomed new legal requirements on prescription caps, transparent pricing and branding to identify whether a practice or other veterinary business is independent or part of a group.

However, the BVU, which represents veterinary professionals and is part of Unite, the UK’s leading union, said the existing approach to quality assurance should also be overhauled.

At present, the Practice Standards Scheme operates on a voluntary basis. The BVU argues that this model should be scrapped in favour of a compulsory regulatory system. The union has already shared its views on what this must include with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as part of the ongoing consultation on legislative reform.

The BVU has also long called for separation of the regulator from the professional leadership body. It is heartened to see this recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to DEFRA in the final outcome report today.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite supports measures such as requiring transparent pricing, prescription caps and branding to identify whether a practice is independent or part of a group.

“However, our members working in veterinary services are firm that quality assurance regulation must be mandatory and built on comprehensive care standards.

“Stronger oversight of practices will improve outcomes for animals, enhance trust and experience for pet owners, and create safer workplaces for veterinary staff.”

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.