Merger Update: IVC/Treforest Vets

CMA invites comments on merger remedies

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings in lieu of reference proposed by Independent Vetcare Limited (IVC) to address competition concerns over its acquisition of Treforest Vets (Holdings) Limited (Treforest).

On 17 February 2023, the CMA announced that it would refer the acquisition for an in-depth investigation unless IVC offered acceptable undertakings to address the CMA's concerns in relation to the above Merger.

To address the CMA's concerns, IVC has offered to divest Treforest as a viable and standalone business with an upfront buyer.

On 3 March 2023, the CMA announced that it would look in detail at these undertakings. The CMA has until 30 June 2023 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 proposal is 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 Wednesday 14 June 2023.

The consultation on the undertakings and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the case page at https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases.