The UK veterinary profession is mid-reform on three independent clocks. First, the founding statute: Defra consulted on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 from 28 January to 25 March 2026 (closed; 6,217 responses; outcome awaited) — headline items include statutory protection for the title “veterinary nurse” and mandatory CPD with statutory force. Second, the CMA concluded its market investigation into veterinary services for pets with a final report on 24 March 2026 ordering 14 remedies, including £21/£12.50 prescription-fee caps, with Orders due by 23 September 2026 and implementation phased to March 2027. Third, from January 2029 EAEVE accreditation alone no longer registers a European degree — only RCVS-accredited programmes count, and everyone else routes through the statutory membership exam.
Sources & verification
- Defra's consultation on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 ran 28 January to 25 March 2026; it is closed with 6,217 responses and the outcome is awaited — source, verified 2026-06-12 🔶
- The CMA's final report (24 March 2026) ordered a package of remedies for the veterinary sector, including £21 written-prescription and £12.50 additional-medicine fee caps; legally binding Orders are due by 23 September 2026, with nearly all remedies in place in the following 3–12 months (smaller businesses get 3 months longer) — source, verified 2026-06-12 🔶
- From January 2029, EAEVE accreditation alone is no longer automatically recognised for RCVS registration — only RCVS-accredited programmes are accepted, and other European graduates route through the statutory membership exam — source, verified 2026-06-12
Verified reference information — not professional, medical, legal or careers advice. Regulations change; always check the cited primary source before relying on it.