Merger Update: IVC acquisitions

Announcement of publication of the text of the CMA's decisions.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the text of its decisions under section 22(1) of the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act) that it is or may be the case that each of the following mergers has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. Namely, IVC's acquisitions 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 text of these decisions which were announced on 17 February 2023 can be found on the CMA's website at https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases.