Merger Update: IVC of several vet practices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently reviewing the completed acquisitions by Independent Vetcare Limited (IVC) of:

·    Penrose Veterinary Group Limited;

·    Kevin Castle (Pet Care) Ltd;

·    Swayne & Partners Topco Limited (including Swayne & Partners Ltd);

·    Treforest Vets (Holdings) Limited (including Treforest Veterinary Clinic Ltd);

·    Mercer & Hughes Limited;

·    Swaffham Veterinary Centre Limited;

·    Anglesey Pet Clinic Ltd; and

·    Chiltern Equine Clinic (including Chiltern Veterinary Services Limited & Chiltern Bury Farm Limited).

Specifically, the CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that any or all of these transactions have resulted in the creation of relevant merger situations under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of any of those situations has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment the CMA invites comments on any or all of the transactions from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above (specifying which transaction(s) they refer to) to:

Principal Case Officer name: Davide Canzano

Tel no: 020 3738 6773

E-mail: [email protected]

For Publicity:

The full title of the Merger Case:

Completed acquisitions by Independent Vetcare Ltd of eight independent veterinary businesses