Merger Update: CVS/The Vet

CMA invites comments on veterinary industry merger remedy:

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings proposed by CVS Group plc to address competition concerns over its acquisition of Quality Pet Care Ltd ) trading as The Vet).

On 18 February 2022, the CMA announced that it would refer the acquisition for an in-depth investigation unless CVS offered acceptable undertakings to address the CMA's concerns.

To address the CMA's concerns, CVS has offered to divest the entire The Vet business. 

On 4 March 2022, the CMA announced that it would look in detail at these undertakings. The CMA has until 1 July 2022 to consider whether to accept the undertakings, or a modified version of them. As part of this process, the CMA is now consulting publicly on whether the proposals are sufficient to address the CMA's competition concerns.

Before reaching a final decision, the CMA is therefore inviting interested parties to make their views known. The deadline for responses is Monday 13 June 2022.

The consultation on the undertakings and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the case page at CVS / Quality Pet Care merger inquiry - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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