IVC / multiple independent veterinary businesses

Start of CMA merger investigations: Completed acquisitions by Independent Vetcare Limited of eight independent veterinary businesses

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched its formal investigations into 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).

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 a relevant merger situation 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.

The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiries by notice to the Parties on 20 December 2022 and has a deadline of 17 February 2023 for its phase 1 decisions in relation to each of the acquisitions.