To join the campaign just email iain.mcgill@pva.vet
Webinar Vet: The Indies Strike Back » Tsar Wars Just click here to see the webinar
PVA WEBINARS INVITE INDEPENDENT VETS TO JOIN CMA FIGHT BACK
27th Oct 2026, Brighton UK Two online webinars last week launched a campaign in the run up to the budget in order to get the affordability of veterinary care, and the plight of independent vets, into the news agenda. The RSPCA has helped our cause by launching its own Pre-Budget Appeal yesterday (26th Oct 2026) requesting of Government that affordability of veterinary care should be front and centre of the budget in a cost-of-living crisis. The RSPCA urge that the debate include the assurance of animal welfare and protection; pet food banks; the removal of VAT from emergency care; Government structural support for animal poverty and the prevention of animal abuse
The Progressive Veterinary Association (PVA) is inviting independent veterinary professionals to view the webinar on the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) veterinary market investigation, its Orders and the campaign to ensure the independent sector is heard. The PVA’s campaign will raise awareness in the run-up to the Chancellor’s Budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026, and beyond, informing the Government about the impact of the CMA’s Orders and press it to act. It will give vets an opportunity to share their experiences with MPs and the media, explain the value of strong independent practices to local communities and make the case for affordable veterinary care.
In the webinar, PVA director Iain McGill updates attendees on the PVA’s ongoing legal and procedural challenge to the CMA. The webinar highlights that the CMA’s Orders will put pressure on independent practices and contribute to higher veterinary bills.
The PVA will press the Government for a new formal strategic steer to the CMA that puts affordability at the centre of its work, and to consider whether a Public Interest Intervention Notice (PIIN) is warranted. It is also calling for a clear cost-of-living requirement to be restored in regulators’ strategic guidance.
“Despite repeated requests, the CMA has not identified a single aspect of its Orders that will reduce costs for independent practices, such that they might compete effectively or lower bills for pet owners. The CMA has acknowledged that the Orders will add costs for practices through administration, vets’ time and RCVS fees. It has also acknowledged that the medicine remedies will mean independent practices promoting corporate competitors’ online medicine sales, with a resulting loss of income for independents.”
“Independent vets deserve the chance to explain directly how the CMA’s Orders will affect their practices and the pet owners and animals who rely on them. Our Budget campaign will bring those experiences to MPs and the media, and press for decisions that take affordability and the future of independent veterinary care seriously.”
Iain McGill Director, Progressive Veterinary Association
To register for the next free webinar, or just to touch base and give us your views, just email info@pva.vet
Calling all vet professionals - Join the PVA
Members of the public can join the PVA as an associate member.
More to come soon from the PVA on river pollution with legacy veterinary parasiticides
2024 PVA Conference lectures available here
Our mission
The Progressive Veterinary Association aims to effect positive change for all animals. We will provide a leading, progressive voice within the veterinary profession on issues of animal welfare and protection, irrespective of corporate or vested interest.
Our core values
We recognise animal sentience and hold the welfare of animals at the fore of everything we do.
We support vets in their ethical stance on issues of animal protection.
We recognise an environmental and extinction emergency and call for urgent action on climate change and biodiversity loss.
We use scientific evidence and the precautionary principle to inform decision-making processes.
Our work
Science based
Whether animals be wild, farmed, within laboratories or zoological collections, kept as pets or used for entertainment, we will elucidate science-based and evidence led policies for their welfare, protection and liberation from oppression and suffering where possible.
Campaigns
The PVA is an ethically driven campaigning organisation, always focussing on the welfare and protection of animals.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection… from the cruelty of humankind.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Confidential space
The PVA will provide a safe, accessible and confidential space in which members can raise animal welfare-related concerns in a veterinary context, and give members the opportunity to voice concerns with the support of like minded colleagues.
Membership
Membership is open to veterinary surgeons, vet students, RVNs and student nurses both in the UK and globally - as well as those retired. Members of the public may join as Associate members.
Origins
Groups of vets working together on various issues expressed concerns that welfare and animal protection had not been given sufficient weight within our profession - this led to the formation and crystallisation of the Progressive Veterinary Association.
Challenging the cull
Landmark study finds no evidence for the efficacy of killing badgers in controlling bTB in cattle
A 2022 peer-reviewed study published in Vet Record by Tom Langton, Mark Jones and PVA director Iain McGill analysed bTB data for the High Risk Area of England for bovine TB between 2009 and 2020 - and found no beneficial effect of culling badgers in terms of disease control in cattle.
PVA campaign for RCVS democracy gathers pace
The RCVS proposes to remove democracy in the profession. We disagree.
Support our work
Help us campaign for animal welfare and protection whilst representing the veterinary profession in wider society.