Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Johanna Baxter and Emma Reynolds(2 days, 1 hour ago)
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Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)
Pet owners have been facing rising vet costs for years, and that is why we are consulting on updating and reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 for the first time in 60 years to improve price transparency and ensure pet owners get a better deal.
Johanna Baxter
The BBC “Panorama” programme that aired on 12 January reported that some vets employed by the big six veterinary conglomerates felt pressured into upselling treatments and services that may not be clinically necessary for pets. My constituents were shocked and appalled by those revelations. My right hon. Friend will know that I have long campaigned for the Government to tackle the soaring costs of veterinary fees, so can she assure the House that the consultation on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act will bring in not only much-needed reform to support those who work in the sector, but much-needed protection for pet owners?
Emma Reynolds
The short answer is yes. I know you also have an interest in this issue, Mr Speaker. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s tireless campaigning on this important issue. The consultation will look at a range of issues, and she is right that that will include modernising the regulation of veterinary professionals. We will also look at requiring vet practices to publish price lists for common treatments and improving price transparency so that pet owners get a much better deal.
Animal Welfare Strategy
Debate between Johanna Baxter and Emma Reynolds(1 month, 2 weeks ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.
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Emma Reynolds
I say politely to the right hon. Gentleman that the time to raise those issues was earlier today.
Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
Merry Christmas to you, Mr Speaker, and to everyone across the House. I reiterate what colleagues from across the Chamber have said about the importance of reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act. It is 60 years old and has not kept pace with modern medicine, new technology or the way that veterinary practices are run. Will my right hon. Friend set out how the animal welfare strategy will tackle the extraordinary increase in veterinary fees, which is a massive cost of living issue? Finally, I thank veterinary surgeons across the UK, particularly those at Glasgow University’s veterinary hospital, who I had cause to see rather more frequently than I would have liked this year.